King David

King David

King David of Israel was known for being a warrior and a writer of psalms. He ruled Israel for 40 years, between 1010 and 970 B.C.E., (Before Common Era) King David also united the people of Israel, led them to victory in battle, conquered land and paved the way for his son, Solomon, to build the Holy Temple. His long reign was later regarded as Israel's "golden age"; David himself was seen as the model king.

David was the eighth and youngest son of Jesse, a Bethlehemite, from the tribe of Judah. David was a shepherd in Bethlehem, and one day, the prophet Samuel called him out of the field and anointed him without the knowledge of the current king, Saul. His first interaction with Saul came when the king was looking for someone to play music for him, and the king’s attendant summoned the skilled David to play for him. Saul was pleased with David and kept him in his service as a musician.

King David, the Warrior

The first time David publicly displayed his courage was when, he was a boy and armed with only a stick and a few stones, he confronted a nine-foot, bronze armored Philistine named Goliath of Gath. For 40 days, skilled warriors had cowered in fear, David made a slingshot, invoked God’s name, and killed the giant. After this, Saul took David on as commander of his troops and David formed a close friendship with Saul’s son, Jonathan.

David was successful in battle against the Philistines and this aroused the jealousy of Saul, who tried to kill David by throwing a spear at him. David stayed with Saul, however, and Saul offered him his own daughter, Merav, as a wife. He later reneged on his promise, but offered David his second daughter, Michal, in exchange for the foreskins of 100 Philistines, a price that David paid.

David and Saul

Saul’s jealousy of David grew and he asked his son Jonathan to kill David. Jonathan was a friend of David’s, however, and hid David instead. He then went to his father and convinced Saul to promise not to kill...