Who Was David In The Bible?

David, the youngest son of Jesse, the grandson of Obed who was the son of Ruth and Boaz, was born in Bethlehem. While he was a lad, during the reign of Saul, Samuel is sent to Bethlehem to anoint David as King. (I Samuel 16:1-13)

Saul, when mentally disturbed, needed some one who could play the harp to pacify him. David was a harpist and brought to the court of Saul to play. (I Samuel 16:14-23)

Israel is at war with the Philistines, and Goliath defies any Israelite to meet him in single combat. David accepts the challenge and slays him with his sling. (I Samuel 17)

A deep love sprang up between David and Jonathan, the son of Saul. Saul became insanely jealous of David’s popularity. He marries Saul daughter. (I Samuel 18)

Saul commands that David be slain. Jonathan remains loyal to David, who is made an outlaw and is compelled to flee from place to place. (I Samuel 19)

With 3,000 men Saul pursued David and his band. David twice spares Saul’s life. He defeated the Amalekites. (I Samuel 24), (I Samuel 27)

In his last battle with the Philistines at Mt. Gilboa, Saul is defeated. He dies by his own hand. David again defeated the Amalekites. (I Samuel 28), (I Samuel 31)

After the death of Saul, David is made king of Judah. The balance of the tribes maintained the house of Saul and remained a separate kingdom. David’s capital was at Hebron. (II Samuel 1), (II Samuel 4)

After reigning over Judah for seven years the tribes of Israel accepted David as king, and he became king of all the tribes. He defeated the Jebusites and took Jerusalem, which became the capital. He defeated the Philistines. (II Samuel 5)

David brought the ark and set it up in Jerusalem. God speaks His promises to him. David subdues his enemies and establishes the kingdom. (II Samuel 6), (II Samuel 10)

David commits his great sin with Bathsheba, and compasses the death of her husband, Uriah. He confesses his sin, and judgment is pronounced upon him. The child dies, but Solomon is born to Bathsheba. (II Samuel 11), (II Samuel 12)

Absalom, David’s son, kills Ammon and flees to Geshur, where he remained there three years. He returned home and raised an insurrection against David. He is defeated and slain by Joah. David mourns for Absalom. (II Samuel 13), (II Samuel 18)

Sheba revolts and is slain. David numbers the people, which is punished by a pestilence sent upon Israel. David purchases the threshing floor of Araunah to build an altar. It became the site of the future temple. (II Samuel 24)

In his old age David’s son Adonijah attempted, by the help of Joab, to usurp the throne. This was defeated and Solomon was anointed king. He had reigned for forty years. (I Kings 1), (I Kings 2:11)