United monarchy

David

King of Israel

Also known as: David son of Jesse

Editorial status

Reviewed against Scripture references. Links open the cited WEB passages.

Profile

David begins as a shepherd from Bethlehem, enters Saul’s service, and becomes king. The narrative presents military victories, covenant promises, family conflict, serious wrongdoing, repentance, and preparations connected with the future temple.

Relationships

Jesse

Father

Basis: 1 Samuel 16

Jonathan

Close friend and covenant companion

Basis: 1 Samuel 18–20

Bathsheba

Wife

Basis: 2 Samuel 11–12

Solomon

Son and royal successor

Basis: 2 Samuel 12:24; 1 Kings 1

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Major events

Anointed by Samuel

Samuel anoints David among the sons of Jesse.

1 Samuel 16:1–13

David and Goliath

David confronts the Philistine champion.

1 Samuel 17

King over Israel

David is anointed king and establishes Jerusalem as his capital.

2 Samuel 5

Sin and confrontation

The account records David’s wrongdoing and Nathan’s confrontation.

2 Samuel 11–12

Interpretation boundary: Psalm headings and later biblical references associate many psalms with David; questions of composition and final form are treated separately from the narrative facts of Samuel and Kings.