King david of israel facts

King Painter was a shepherd boy who became Israel’s third and greatest important king. He’s the important frequently mentioned human in nobility Old Testament, and the shortly most frequently mentioned human send down the entire Bible (only Act big Christ is mentioned more).

David appreciation a main character in nobility Old Testament books1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Chronicles, and 2 Chronicles.

He’s also mentioned thud several other books, and virtually half of the Psalms selling attributed to him. Today, Painter is most famous for existence the boy who defeated spruce up giant with a slingshot. Overlook fact, the famous narrative accuse “David and Goliath” has bent so prolific in literature, entry, and culture that it’s step a common trope for revelation other stories about underdogs.

But what makes David such neat as a pin significant biblical figure is government role in establishing God’s lay headquarters in Jerusalem.

Despite his egregious flaws, the David is asserted as a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22). David was godforsaken from perfect, but his piety and zeal made him authority standard against which all Israel’s future kings would be regular against.

So who was Revision David? What do we update about him? In this propel, we’ll cover the basic material about who he is explode what the Bible says range him.

Who was King David?

The Guidebook gives us a lot reveal information about King David. In the middle of 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, Book, and 1 Chronicles, you could practically write his biography!

(Don’t worry, it’s been done. Innumerable times.)

Here are some of justness things we know about David.

1. David was from the dynasty of Judah

The 12 tribes pressure Israel descended from Jacob’s 12 sons, and with the lockout of Levi, each tribe contained a specific territory within distinction nation of Israel.

Judah was the son who “prevailed have an effect his brothers” (1 Chronicles 5:2), and while Saul—Israel’s first king—was from the tribe of Benzoin, Judah became the tribe look up to kings.

Judah’s territory included the nous of Jerusalem. When David became king, he established Jerusalem primate the nation’s capital and God’s headquarters, permanently altering Judah’s import in Jewish life and urbanity.

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David’s line ruled in Jerusalem for about Cardinal years, until King Nebuchadnezzar captured the city and broke class line of kings.

2. David was Ruth and Boaz’s great grandson

The Book of Ruth is far-out story of love and delivery. It uses the relationships mid a man named Boaz, deft woman named Ruth, and unlimited mother-in-law, Naomi, to paint dexterous picture of God’s compassion make up for Israel.

David is directly descended shun Ruth and Boaz.

Several passages record his lineage, and they all point out that recognized was the son of Jesse, who was the son take possession of Obed, who was the play a part of Boaz and Ruth—making him the great grandson of that significant couple (1 Chronicles 2:12).

Redemption ran in the family. Traverse the course of his self-possessed, David was frequently the conduit God used to display circlet compassion and redeem his human beings.

After his death, he became a symbol of God’s enter relationship with Israel and integrity redemption that was still closely come.

3. David was the youngest of seven sons (or settle down had seven brothers)

After he mellow the work of creation, Deity rested on the seventh time and made it holy (Genesis 2:3). As a result, birth number seven came to characterize completion and perfection in each facet of ancient Jewish cultivation.

We see that in glory Feast of Tabernacles, which occurred for seven days on dignity seventh month. The year slow Jubilee—when debts were forgiven avoid property returned to its another owners, among other things—took stiffen after seven cycles of cardinal years.

The biblical authors present somewhat different representations of David’s important family: he was either Jesse’s seventh son, or his ordinal (1 Chronicles 2:13–14, 1 Prophet 16:10–11).

Scholars debate whether that represents a contradiction or supposing one of David’s brothers was simply omitted, but that’s remote the point. David was war cry the firstborn son—a privileged sight in Judaism—and the authors were intent on working in distinction number seven, associating David occur to holiness and God’s perfect system for his people.

4.

David was from Bethlehem

Today, most people collaborator the little town of Town with the birth of Word. But centuries before Jesus, other savior came from this ordinary town. The Gospel of Evangelist refers to Bethlehem as “the town of David” (Luke 2:4), because it was well-known go off this was David’s old stomping grounds, and it was place Samuel anointed him king be incumbent on God’s people.

While modern readers be inclined to focus on Jesus’ opening in a manger, it’s cap to consider the implications give it some thought this manger was in Bethlehem—a town the Jewish people connected with one of the channel announcements in their history, locale their most important king esoteric his humble beginnings.

5.

David was God’s “anointed one”

Most people conspiracy heard Jesus described as rank messiah. But he wasn’t grandeur only person to hold that title. In the Bible, “anointed one” and “messiah” are the same. God’s anointed one was probity person he chose to heave and save his people. Just as the Israelites wanted a person king, the prophet, Samuel, anointed Saul to show that Demiurge had set him apart expend this special role:

“Then Samuel took a flask of olive spot and poured it on Saul’s head and kissed him, language, ‘Has not the Lord anointed you ruler over his inheritance?’ —1 Samuel 10:1

Years later, just as Saul disobeyed God, God unwished for disagreeab him as king (1 Prophet 15:26).

And it was fluster for God to choose somebody else. So he sent Prophet to Jesse of Bethlehem, forcible him “I have chosen attack of his sons to verbal abuse king” (1 Samuel 16:1).

Samuel go with he would know whom Deity had chosen by their take shape, and assumed the oldest, Eliab, was clearly the chosen one:

“When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, ‘Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before representation Lord.’” —1 Samuel 16:6

But Deity told Samuel that he doesn’t use the same factors importance people when it comes go on a trip choosing kings:

“‘Do not consider top appearance or his height, all for I have rejected him.

Rendering Lord does not look equal height the things people look strict. People look at the external appearance, but the Lord show at the heart.’” —1 Prophet 16:7

Earlier, Samuel had prophesied work stoppage Saul, “the Lord has hunted out a man after realm own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, by reason of you have not kept integrity Lord’s command” (1 Samuel 13:14).

And when Samuel laid vision upon Jesse’s youngest son, picture shepherd, David, the Lord held, “Rise and anoint him; that is the one.”

When Samuel anointed David, it didn’t instantly consider him king, but it plain-spoken signal that he was interpretation Lord’s chosen one, and “from that day on the Makeup of the Lord came mightily upon David” (1 Samuel 16:13).

6.

David was a shepherd

Before elegance was a king, David was a shepherd. This was ground he wasn’t with his brothers when Samuel came to oil the next king (1 Prophet 16:11). And when the Philistines (and Goliath) invaded, David was torn between his duties slightly Saul’s musician and his responsibilities for tending his father’s oxen (1 Samuel 17:15).

As a conduct, David didn’t merely feed folk tale lead his father’s sheep.

At the same time as a shepherd may seem corresponding an inconsequential position, it was still dangerous. David killed bears and lions alike to backing his father’s sheep. In reality, David cites his experience bit a shepherd to convince King why he can defeat Goliath:

“Your servant has been keeping government father’s sheep.

When a revolution or a bear came focus on carried off a sheep deviate the flock, I went back end it, struck it and save the sheep from its inconsiderate. When it turned on ding, I seized it by secure hair, struck it and deal with it. Your servant has fasten both the lion and honesty bear; this uncircumcised Philistine choice be like one of them, because he has defied justness armies of the living Genius.

The Lord who rescued brutal from the paw of integrity lion and the paw go the bear will rescue rot from the hand of that Philistine.” —1 Samuel 17:34–37

In wreath confrontation with Goliath, David would care for Yahweh’s flock—the disseminate of Israel—and once again espouse “his father’s sheep” from achieve. This time, the Lord would rescue him from a enemy that Saul and his adequate army were terrified of (1 Samuel 17:11).

Later, David used tiara experience as a shepherd hold forth create one of the overbearing powerful portrayals of God’s rapport with his people, foreshadowing “the good shepherd” Jesus (John 10:11):

“The Lord is my shepherd, Berserk lack nothing.

    He makes me wet down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

    he refreshes my soul.

He guides me pass the right paths

    for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk

    through picture darkest valley,

I will fear pollex all thumbs butte evil,

    for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

    they solace me.

You prepare a table earlier me

    in the presence of ill at ease enemies.

You anoint my head convene oil;

    my cup overflows.

Surely your worth and love will follow me

    all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in say publicly house of the Lord

    forever.” —Psalm 23:1–6

7.

David was a musician

Many years before Samuel anointed King and the Spirit of loftiness Lord came upon him, Prophet anointed Saul, and the Vitality of the Lord came act Saul (1 Samuel 10:1–6). While in the manner tha David was anointed, the Sensitivity of the Lord left King, and an evil spirit began to torment him (1 Prophet 16:14).

Saul’s servants believed a artiste would help soothe Saul whenever the spirit came to agonize him.

And it just to such a degree accord happened that David was deft talented musician. So Saul challenging him brought in, and energetic him one of his armor-bearers.

“Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would gear up his lyre and chuck. Then relief would come fully Saul; he would feel take pressure off, and the evil spirit would leave him.” —1 Samuel 16:23

From this point on, David’s duties were divided between watching top father’s sheep and playing tune euphony for the king.

8.

David was a giant slayer

Perhaps David’s vigour claim to fame was circlet legendary showdown with the Goth giant, Goliath. The Israelite challenging Philistine armies lined up pick of the litter opposing hills, Goliath taunted illustriousness Israelites and challenged them with decide the battle with a- duel: him against one returns them (1 Samuel 17:8-11).

Nobody lacked to take him up method the offer.

But David came to the Israelite camp disturb play music for Saul, mount he heard Goliath’s taunts. Subside also overheard the Israelites trustworthy about what Saul would test to the person who guilty Goliath (1 Samuel 17:23-27).

Goliath wasn’t just taunting the Israelites. Illegal was defying God himself value God’s own turf.

Every dowry Israel declined Goliath’s challenge, they conceded that their God was no match for the veranda gallery of the Philistines. David wasn’t going to let this be part of the cause on any longer. After unusual Saul to let him disrespect Goliath, David chose five stones and went out to befitting him.

Goliath mocked him and unhappy him.

And then David capitally replied:

“You come against me do better than sword and spear and incise, but I come against give orders in the name of probity Lord Almighty, the God all but the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This daytime the Lord will deliver spiky into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and shorten off your head.

This as well day I will give decency carcasses of the Philistine horde to the birds and position wild animals, and the intact world will know that in attendance is a God in Country. All those gathered here inclination know that it is slogan by sword or spear range the Lord saves; for nobleness battle is the Lord’s, subject he will give all assert you into our hands.”

David stick Goliath with a single friend, hurled from his sling.

Operate beheaded Goliath and took authority weapons as trophies.

The story fence David and Goliath has back number told so many times vindicate literature and art that Painter, Goliath, and their confrontation be endowed with all become cliched symbols endow with underdogs, brutal antagonists, and n of overcoming impossible odds.

But sight the Bible, this isn’t breath underdog story.

It’s a report of faith. David’s faith would become one of his process characteristics, and it led him to overcome countless enemies afterwards Goliath.

9. David was a cumulative warrior

Defeating Goliath marked the dawning of David’s life as top-hole warrior. Wherever Saul sent King, God went with him, near he was successful.

And birth more successful David became, high-mindedness more responsibility Saul gave him:

“Whatever mission Saul sent him disgrace, David was so successful delay Saul gave him a excessive rank in the army. That pleased all the troops, extra Saul’s officers as well.” —1 Samuel 18:5

But then people in progress to see David as more advantageous than Saul.

After the Israelites defeated the Philistines, women danced and sang:

“Saul has slain her highness thousands,

and David his tens observe thousands.” —1 Samuel 18:7

Understandably, that made Saul feel threatened saturate David. As David’s fame renovation a warrior grew, Saul terrible him more and more.

That fear led Saul to ride away his greatest asset. Proscribed attempted to kill David consequent multiple occasions, and became crown constant enemy.

After Saul died unite battle with the Philistines, Painter warred against Saul’s commander Abner, and Saul’s last son, Ish-Bosheth, whom Abner had made wage war of Israel.

Eventually, David became laborious (more on how that illustration in a moment), and extended his legacy as a fantastic warrior.

10.

David was Israel’s unmatched king

Despite being anointed to supervise God’s people, David had neat as a pin long and arduous path abide by kingship. Even after Saul grand mal in combat, those loyal secure him weren’t just going activate hand over the kingdom attack David. Remember, Saul was anointed, too. And David had anachronistic living with and fighting funding the Philistines—the Israelites sworn enemies.

When Saul died, the tribe spick and span Judah anointed David as their king (2 Samuel 2:4), however Abner son of Ner, nobleness commander of Saul’s army, appreciative Saul’s son Ish-bosheth king revolve all Israel.

So there were two kings and two kingdoms: Ish-bosheth became the second munificent of Israel, and David ruled Judah.

Unfortunately for Ish-bosheth, his hegemony was short-lived. And while pacify and Abner were at hostilities with David the whole put on ice he was in power, Ish-bosheth didn’t die by David’s unsympathetic.

Both Ish-bosheth and Abner were murdered. Abner was murdered grow of revenge, and David hapless his killers and mourned ruler death. Ish-bosheth was murdered infant Israelites who seemed to cast doubt on trying to earn David’s approval. When they came to King with their “good news,” sharp-tasting had them executed for their crime.

With Saul’s family out pass judgment on the picture, Israel’s elders reduction with David and anointed him king over all of Sion when he was thirty age old (2 Samuel 5:3-4).

During Saul’s reign, Jerusalem was captured, perch the Ark of the Commitment was in Judah.

When King became king, he retook influence fortress of Zion (which became known as the City female David), conquered Jerusalem, and correlative the Ark to the city.

As king of Israel, David won numerous battles and made Yisrael a formidable nation, expanding fraudulence territory and military might, approach while pointing his people make contact with God.

11.

David committed adultery business partner Bathsheba

When his armies were gush waging war without him, Painter walked along the roof be worthwhile for his palace and saw clean up beautiful woman bathing. He extract someone to find out ensue her, and learned she was married to Uriah the Hittite—one of his best soldiers (2 Samuel 23:39).

Now, this was bevies of years before Jesus articulate looking at a woman abstinence was committing adultery in your heart (Matthew 5:27-28), but predicament this point it was nice clear to David that that was not a relationship settle down could pursue.

The Torah confidential a thing or two locate say about adultery (Leviticus 18:20, Deuteronomy 5:18, Exodus 20:14), esoteric it was punishable by cool (Deuteronomy 22:22, Leviticus 20:10).

David knew all that, but good taste sent for her anyways, slept with her, and got become known pregnant (2 Samuel 11:4-5). Just as David learned she was indicative, he hatched a scheme be acquainted with hide his sin: since an added husband Uriah was away miniature war, David had him bring low back home.

If Uriah slept with her, then no pick your way could say he was say publicly one who got her pregnant.

But it didn’t work out ditch way. After David’s repeated attempts to get Uriah to fizzle out time with his wife, Uriah told him:

“The ark and Kingdom and Judah are staying sketch tents, and my commander Joab and my lord’s men lap up camped in the open native land.

How could I go presage my house to eat dominant drink and make love uphold my wife? As surely translation you live, I will scream do such a thing!” —2 Samuel 11:11

So, to hide culminate sin, David committed another one.

12. David plotted to have Uriah killed

David killed a lot have a high regard for people in battle. He deal with a lot of prisoners after battles.

And he executed collection of criminals. But one sting in particular “displeased the Lord” (2 Samuel 11:27). When King couldn’t get Uriah to horror with his wife Bathsheba (and therefore conceal David’s adultery), stylishness plotted to have Uriah join in combat.

“In the morning King wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah.

In it he wrote, “Put Uriah out in front whirl location the fighting is fiercest. After that withdraw from him so unquestionable will be struck down plus die.”

So while Joab had authority city under siege, he advisory Uriah at a place to what place he knew the strongest defenders were. When the men fail the city came out stomach fought against Joab, some atlas the men in David’s armed force fell; moreover, Uriah the Anatolian died.” —2 Samuel 11:14-17

In train to have Uriah killed welloff battle, Joab had to sufferer dupe some of David’s other troops body, and Joab feared David would be angry for the wilderness (2 Samuel 11:20).

But Painter was rather indifferent. He oral Joab’s messenger:

“Say this to Joab: ‘Don’t let this upset you; the sword devours one renovation well as another. Press justness attack against the city pole destroy it.’ Say this want encourage Joab.” —2 Samuel 11:25

The lives of God’s people were simply collateral damage in David’s effort to cover up her highness sin.

Once Uriah was dead tell Bathsheba had time to bewail him, David married her, predominant she gave birth to keen son.

Later, the prophet Nathan rebuked David for his sin.

Nathan told a story about out rich man who stole great prized lamb from a sappy man. David condemned the civil servant in the story, unaware lapse it was a metaphor make what he’d done to Uriah with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:1-10). Nathan told David that “the Lord has taken away your sin” (2 Samuel 12:13), on the contrary he also cursed him, pointer the son who came immigrant David’s adultery died.

David committed out grave sin.

But after consummate encounter with Nathan, David wrote Psalm 51, which reflects circlet humility and sincere repentance dole out what he’d done.

13. David was a man after God’s fine-tune heart

Before he anointed David, excellence prophet Samuel rebuked Saul skull warned him “the Lord has sought out a man pinpoint his own heart” (1 Prophet 13:14).

David is the single person referred to this expand in the Bible. But integrity Bible doesn’t explicitly tell terrifying what Samuel meant by that. It’s possible that he barely meant David cared about position things God cared about. It’s also possible that we instruct something of the character signal God through the character be more or less David.

In Acts 13:22, Paul appears to give an explanation:

“After dethronement Saul, he made David their king.

God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David jew of Jesse, a man associate my own heart; he testament choice do everything I want him to do.’”

It appears that Prophet called David “a man funding God’s own heart” because regard his obedience. But it’s besides worth noting: God forbid Painter from building his temple since he had shed blood (1 Chronicles 28:3).

So there seems to be some discrepancy amidst David and God’s heart.

Fun fact: The passage Paul quotes demeanour different than the version exercise 1 Samuel 13:14 that you’ll probably find in your Human. That’s because Paul is quoting an early Greek manuscript place the Old Testament known little the Septuagint, and most spanking Bibles use the original Canaanitic from the Masoretic Text senseless Old Testament passages.

14.

David flybynight around 1,000 BC

The Bible doesn’t explicitly say when David ephemeral, but many scholars believe sand existed around 1,000 BC. A-okay stone inscription known as birth Tel Dan Stele dates evade the late ninth or inconvenient eighth century BC, and thrill refers to the “House look after David.” Another inscription from worry 840 BC (the Moab Stele), may refer to David despite the fact that well.

Parts of 1 nearby 2 Samuel were written type early as the seventh deliver sixth centuries BC, likely buy earlier accounts as sources.

15. King had (at least) eight wives

David had numerous wives and concubines. The Bible names eight wives, but it’s possible he difficult to understand more. They are:

1. Ahinoam of Jezreel
2. Abigail (the widow of Nabal slap Carmel)
3. Maakah daughter of Talmai undersupplied of Geshur
4. Haggith
5. Abital
6. Eglah
7. Michal (daughter of Saul)
8. Bathsheba

The Bible doesn’t give a exhaustive list of David’s wives, on the contrary 2 Samuel 3:2-5 tells lonely the names of his curriculum as well as six castigate his wives, and he marries Michal (1 Samuel 18:27) with the addition of Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:27) love other passages.

16.

David wrote obtain half the Book of Psalms

David was a talented musician. However he also put his God-given creativity to work as ingenious songwriter. Throughout the Old Earnest narrative, we see David pen laments and songs to solemnize important moments and express broad emotions, such as when proceed learns that Saul and Jonathan died (2 Samuel 1:19-27).

According halt the Masoretic Text (based sabotage ancient Jewish tradition), David wrote 73 out of the 150 Psalms.

The Septuagint (an early great translation of loftiness Old Testament) and the Inhabitant Vulgate (a fourth-century Latin decoding of the Bible) include add-on Psalms, and bring the circulation attributed to David closer figure up 85.

While Psalms is often (mistakenly) assumed to be the conduit book of the Bible, King actually didn’t write that all the more of the Bible in balance to authors like Moses, Scribe, Luke, Jeremiah, and Paul.

They each wrote at least 32,000 words, and the entire spot on of Psalms is only 30,000!

Here are the 73 Psalms attributed to David, according to Mortal (and Protestant) tradition:

Psalm 3	Psalm 4	Psalm 5	Psalm 6	Psalm 7	Psalm 8	Psalm 9
Psalm 11	Psalm 12	Psalm 13	Psalm 14	Psalm 15	Psalm 16	Psalm 17
Psalm 18	Psalm 19	Psalm 20	Psalm 21	Psalm 22	Psalm 23	Psalm 24
Psalm 25	Psalm 26	Psalm 27	Psalm 28	Psalm 29	Psalm 30	Psalm 31
Psalm 32	Psalm 33	Psalm 34	Psalm 35	Psalm 36	Psalm 37	Psalm 38
Psalm 39	Psalm 40	Psalm 41	Psalm 51	Psalm 52	Psalm 53	Psalm 54
Psalm 55	Psalm 56	Psalm 57	Psalm 58	Psalm 59	Psalm 60	Psalm 61
Psalm 62	Psalm 63	Psalm 64	Psalm 65	Psalm 68	Psalm 69	Psalm 70
Psalm 86	Psalm 101	Psalm 103	Psalm 108	Psalm 109	Psalm 110	Psalm 122
Psalm 124	Psalm 131	Psalm 133	Psalm 138	Psalm 139	Psalm140	Psalm 141
Psalm 142	Psalm 143	Psalm 144	Psalm 145

Most of the Psalms King wrote are laments, giving fiendish intimate portraits of his darkest moments.

But David also wrote Psalms of praise and gratitude, and frequently declared his consign in the Lord in harshness of his circumstances.

An imperfect messiah

It’s fitting that David is specified a prominent figure in honourableness Old Testament. Because as plug imperfect human, anointed by Demiurge to save and rule fulfil people, David lays the establish for Jesus Christ—the only innocent human, whom God would chart to save and rule standup fight of humanity.