David

David
דָּוִד
King David by Peter Paul Rubens, 1616
Period	11th–10th century B.C.
Family	Father Jesse Son (successor) Solomon
Occupation(Features)	The second king of the Kingdom of Israel
Activity area	Jerusalem
Reign	40 years
Major achievements	Conquered the City of Zion(Jerusalem) Expanded the land Established various systems Wrote most of the book of Psalms

David (Hebrew: דָּוִד, Arabic: داود) was the second king of the United Kingdom of Israel in the 11th century B.C. He became king at the age of 30 and reigned for 40 years. He was chosen by God to be king because he was found to be a man after God’s own heart.
He is remembered as the greatest king in Israel, who loved God with all his heart. He is an incomparable and ideal king who established a strong dynasty in the history of Israel. Under the faith in God Jehovah, he united the twelve tribes of Israel, which used to be at feud with one another, as one nation and he appointed Jerusalem as the capital. By expanding its military power, he achieved a reign of peace with no invasions from foreign forces. The history of his reign is described in detail in the book of 2 Samuel and the book of 1 Chronicles 11–29 of the Bible.

After Solomon, son of David, Israel was divided into north and south and there were frequent invasions from foreign countries, which gave the Jews a desire for a powerful Messiah like David. Many prophecies in the Old Testament described the Messiah, who would appear later, as King David.

Life of David

Year of Birth

The Shepherd David by Elizabeth Jane Gardner, 1859

David was born of the tribe of Judah as the great-grandson of Ruth, a Moabite woman, and Boaz, and the youngest son of Jesse. In the book of 1 Samuel, it is said that David had seven elder brothers. However, in the book of 1 Chronicles, only six names (Eliab, Abinadab, Shimea, Nethanel, Raddai, Ozem) are mentioned. It is presumed that the name of David’s brother missing in the book of Chronicles was omitted because he was not important at that time, or because he died young. David also had two sisters—Zeruiah and Abigail.
The boy David was a shepherd of his father Jesse. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, he went after it and rescued the sheep.

God’s Chosen King

Samuel sacrant David by Victor Biennoury, 1842

Sculpture of David by Andrea del Verrocchio, 1476

God chose David in advance to replace Saul, who had disobeyed Him. Although David was still a young boy, God secretly sent the prophet Samuel to anoint him; since He looks at the heart of a man, not his appearance. Afterwards, David, whom the Spirit of God came upon, was selected by Saul, who was possessed by evil spirits, to serve him, playing the harp (1 Samuel 16).

When Israel was at war with the Philistines, Goliath, the Philistine giant, insulted Israel and God in a loud voice. When the Israelites were afraid and no one was stepping up, David, who happened to come to the battlefield to run an errand from Jesse, saw this and became furious, and he confronted Goliath. David slung a stone and struck Goliath with it on his forehead and defeated him. The Israelite army defeated the distraught Philistine army. With this victory, David emerged as a hero who saved Israel (1 Samuel 17).

Escaping Saul

David was given a high rank in Saul’s army, and became close friends with Jonathan son of Saul, and married Saul’s daughter Michal. When David gained great popularity by making a great achievement in every battle, Saul became jealous and plotted to kill David several times. Eventually, David fled from Saul (1 Samuel 18–20).

David fled to Nob, the city of priests, where he obtained the consecrated bread and Goliath’s sword from Ahimelech the priest. Saul killed eighty-five priests, all men and women, and all the livestock in Nob for having provided David with food and a weapon. This way, Saul expressed his firm determination not to let anyone either help or hide David.

When David went to Achish king of Gath of the Philistines, the Philistines recognized him. David pretended to be insane and escaped from the danger. When he fled to Moab, east of Israel, the prophet Gad delivered God’s will to him to return to Judah. David obeyed his words and returned to Judah, but his life of fleeing continued (1 Samuel 21–23).

David escaped to Ramah, Nob, the cave of Adullam, the forest of Hereth, the Desert of Ziph, and the Desert of En Gedi. There were many refugees like David there. All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around David, and he became their leader. He established ties with tribes, protecting the local people from thieves, pursuing plunderers and recovering the stolen goods. Although he had two chances to be able to kill King Saul, he did not kill him for the fact that the king was the “one who was anointed by the LORD.”

Reign

Saul and Jonathan died in the battle against the Philistines. David mourned and fasted, and took up a lament concerning them, and ordered that the men of Judah be taught this lament (2 Samuel 1).

David later became king of the tribe of Judah at Hebron at the age of thirty. In the north, Abner, who was Saul’s servant, appointed Ish-Bosheth, son of Saul, as king and established a government with eleven tribes in Mahanaim, but Ish-Bosheth was killed by some guards two years after he became king (2 Samuel 2–4). Representatives of the eleven tribes of the north visited David in Hebron, and anointed him. Finally, David was officially recognized as king of all the twelve tribes of Israel, and reigned for forty years.
As David became king of Israel, he pushed ahead with a plan to move the capital to Jerusalem. He captured Zion, a natural fortress that belonged to the Jebusites, and made it the new capital and moved the ark of the covenant, the greatest symbol of Israel’s religion, there.

Family

During the war of conquest, David fell in love with Bathsheba, the wife of General Uriah, and ordered Joab the commander to have Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband, get killed on the battlefield. Bathsheba married David and gave birth to a son, but the prophet Nathan rebuked David for his evil deed and said that his son would be short lived. David was deeply regretful for his sin. This son died, and Bathsheba gave birth to another son. This is Solomon (2 Samuel 11–12).

David had many wives to unite the groups that made up his kingdom, and got many children from them, but his children did not get along with each other. His third son, Absalom, killed his half brother Amnon who dishonored Tamar, Absalom’s own sister. After being exiled because of this, Absalom reconciled to his father, David, but rebelled as he gained popularity from the people and his servants. David fled from Absalom, but Absalom’s army was eventually defeated and Absalom was killed by David’s general Joab. David cried sorrowfully, saying, “O my son Absalom!” (2 Samuel 13–18).

Successor

King David Presenting the Sceptre to Solomon by Cornelis de Vos, 1640

When David became old, quarrels arose over who would be his successor. Solomon was supposed to succeed David’s throne and build the house of God, but Adonijah, one of the eldest surviving sons of David, even held a banquet for succession to the throne, thinking that he would become king. When David heard this, he immediately anointed Solomon through the priest Zadok and made him king (1 Kings 1). Before David died, he said to Solomon, “Observe what the LORD your God requires: Walk in his ways, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go,” and taught him how to live a blessed life.

David’s Achievements

Conquest of Zion (Jerusalem)

The twelve tribes of Israel were loosely connected through tribal alliances for over 200 years since they settled in Canaan after the Exodus. It was also a big problem that there was no political and administrative center. The only thing the tribes of Israel had in common was their faith in the LORD. In order to build solidarity among them and unite the people at the national level, they needed a capital city that could become the center of the national faith. David chose Jerusalem, Zion, which was the center of the Jebusites that the Israelites had not yet occupied. This place, located on the ridge, was an impregnable fortress that no one had been able to conquer despite the long war.
As soon as David became king, he marched toward the fortress of Zion. It is not clear which path he used, but he climbed up the rocky wall used to draw water, and captured it easily. The city of Zion was also called the “city of David.” Jerusalem where the city of Zion used to be located became the capital of the unified kingdom of Israel, and David moved the ark of the covenant from the house of Obed-Edom to the new capital.

Territorial Expansion

The area conquered by David

Upon hearing that David had become king, the Philistines attacked Israel twice in a row. David’s army greatly defeated the Philistines and drove them to the shore. David started a war to conquest the Philistines; he won over them and annexed their territory to Israel. He established the kingdom by conquering neighboring kingdoms, which might threaten Israel’s safety in the future, such as Aram–Damascus in the north (present-day Syria), Ammon and Moab in the east (present-day Jordan), and Edom in the south (present-day Negev). (1 Chronicles 18–20). In the Bible, it is written, “God gave David victory wherever he went.”

Preparing to Build the Temple

David Purchasing the Threshing Floor of Araunah the Jebusite by William Hole

David wanted to build the temple of God, feeling guilty that the ark of the covenant of God was under a tent while he was living in a palace of cedar. God was pleased with David’s heart and let him build the temple through his son Solomon.
At the end of his reign, David bought the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite (or Araunah) (2 Samuel 24). It was the site of Mount Moriah where Abraham, in obedience to God’s word, took Isaac to offer him as a burnt offering. There, Abraham, by God’s grace, slaughtered a ram instead of Isaac and sacrificed it. David prepared Ornan’s threshing floor as the land for the temple, and handed the plans, funds, and building materials over to his son Solomon (1 Chronicles 22; 28–29). Later, Solomon built the temple and moved the ark of the covenant to the temple from the city of David, that is, the city of Zion.

Organizing the Temple Service

The ministry of the temple was entrusted to the tribe of Levi. David divided the Levites to systematically serve in the temple such as the priests, the choir (a large choir and ensemble of 4,000 members with 288 professional leaders), the gatekeepers of the temple, and the managers of the sacred offerings, and he also arranged the duties necessary for the temple such as trials and administration. (1 Chronicles 23–27).

Writing Most of the Book of Psalms

The scribes dictate David’s poems. (Ivory sculpture from the 11th century)

David had an outstanding talent in music and poetry. He wrote and composed songs himself as well as many poems. Some of his songs and poems are found in the book of Psalms of the Old Testament; 73 of the 150 psalms in the book of Psalms are related to David (Ps 3–9; 11–32; 34–41; 51–65; 68–70; 86; 101; 103; 108–110; 122; 124; 131; 133; 138–145).

Lessons

Faith to Depend on God

David with the Head of Goliath by Domenico Fetti, c. 1620

David absolutely depended on God from his childhood. When David, who was still a boy, fought Goliath the Philistine general, he went forward boldly and defeated him, relying on God, not on the sword, spear, shield, or armor. Since David’s faith was unchanging, God was always with him and helped him.

Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

Psalm 20:6–7

Giving Thanks in All Circumstances

David Playing the Harp for King Saul by Jan van den Hoecke

There were many trials in the life of David, the great king. Nevertheless, he did not grumble against God at any moment, but rather thanked and praised Him. It was because he believed that God would give him a blessing even though it might be difficult right at the moment.

[Of David. When he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he left.] I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. . . . The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

Psalm 34:1–10

Heart for God

King David Dances Before the Ark of the Covenant by Pieter van Lint, c. 1650

David is recorded in the Bible as a person who loved God more than anyone else. When the ark of the covenant entered the city of Zion, he danced before God in joy of being able to serve Him without thinking how he would look to people. He also made a plan to build the temple; because he didn’t feel right living in a fine palace made of cedar while God’s ark of the covenant was under a tent. Seeing his respect for God, God loved him and highly regarded him.

After the king was settled in his palace and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.” . . . “ ‘This is what the LORD Almighty says: I took you from the pasture and from following the flock to be ruler over my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men of the earth.’ ”

2 Samuel 7:1–9

Loving God’s commandments More Than Pure Gold

In David’s life, God’s decrees, regulations, and laws were the objects of joy. David followed God’s decrees, regarding them as more precious than pure gold.

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

Psalm 19:7–11

David did not kill Saul on the grounds that Saul was “anointed by the LORD” even though Saul was trying to seize him and he had to always flee from Saul. It was because he valued God’s will more highly than his own safety and position.

David and Christ

Statue of David by Michelangelo, 1501–1504

In the Old Testament times, the prophets described the Messiah as a descendant of David, and prophesied God’s coming as the Messiah into the world by comparing Him to King David. It is Jesus who fulfilled this prophecy.

Prophecies of Isaiah

• For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:6–7)
• A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD . . . In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious. (Isaiah 11:1–10)
• In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it—one from the house of David—one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness. (Isaiah 16:5)
• “Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.” (Isaiah 55:3)

Prophecies of Jeremiah

• “When I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.” (Jeremiah 23:5–6)
• Instead, they will serve the LORD their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them. (Jeremiah 30:9)
• “ ‘In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.’ ” (Jeremiah 33:15–17)

Prophecies of Ezekiel

• “ ‘I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will tend them; he will tend them and be their shepherd. I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David will be prince among them. I the LORD have spoken.’ ” (Ezekiel 34:23–24)
• “ ‘My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd. They will follow my laws and be careful to keep my decrees. They will live in the land I gave to my servant Jacob, the land where your fathers lived. They and their children and their children's children will live there forever, and David my servant will be their prince forever.’ ” (Ezekiel 37:24–25)

Prophecy of Hosea

• Afterward the Israelites will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the LORD and to his blessings in the last days. (Hosea 3:5)

See also

• Prophecy of David’s Throne
• Root of David
• Messiah
• Zion

External links

• Christ Ahnsahnghong
• World Mission Society Church of God