Who Was King David of Israel?
From Shepherd to King of the Jews
Mar 12, 2009 William Silvester
Perhaps the most famous of the kings of Israel, David started life as the son of a shepherd named Jesse. It's believed he was born in Bethlehem circa 1037 BC.
The youngest of eight sons, his task was to look after his father’s flocks. The king at the time was named Saul. He had heard of the skill of David on the harp and had him summoned to play for him.
David and Goliath
In those days, the Israelites were at war with the Philistines and it was one of David’s tasks to bring food to them in the field. On one of these occasions, he hears the Philistine champion, a giant named Goliath of Gath, challenge the Israelites to send out their champion to fight him in single combat.
David insisted that he could defeat this man and armed only with his sling and a few rocks, David killed Goliath. The Philistines hastily departed and Saul was presented with the giant’s head.
King Saul Appoints David to Position of Army Commander
The grateful king appointed David as the commander of his army in recognition of his courage and resourcefulness. He also gives the young shepherd his daughter, Michal, for his bride.
It did not take long, however, before King Saul began to regret his choice of military leader. The war against the Philistines continued and David proved himself to be a great leader – better, in fact, than Saul. The King’s popularity waned as David’s popularity with victory after victory.
Saul began plotting David’s downfall and ultimately, his death. A number of failed attempts to kill David ensued. With the help of his wife, Michal, David escaped and eventually, he arrived in Moab seeking asylum with the king there.
David and Achish
David and his supporters took service under Achish, the Philistine king of Gath. Given control of the city of Ziklag, David made it his duty to raid the cities of the nomads who harassed the Jews. He took the spoils he captured from these cities and used them to buy the support of the leaders of Judah against Saul.
It was while he was fighting the Amalekites that word reached David that King Saul and Jonathan had been killed by the Philistines on Mt. Gilboa. After a suitable period of mourning, David moved to Hebron and the grateful people of Judah, having been saved from the desert nomads by David, anointed him king in about 1007 BC.
The Philistines were not at all pleased when they learned of David’s plans to rule all of Israel. In response, they attacked, capturing Bethlehem. David retaliated quickly and defeated the Philistines in three battles that drove them from Israel. His empire expanded rapidly after that as he fought and won defensive wars against the Ammonites, Arameans, Edomites and Moabites, taking in the area that comprises modern-day Jordan and Syria.
David and his Marriage to Bathsheba
David's troubles began when decided that the lovely Bathsheba would be his next wife, despite the fact that she was already married.
When Bathsheba became pregnant with his child, David ordered her husband, Uriah the Hittite, into battle where he was killed. The king then married Bathsheba, but the child died and David was cursed with the promise of rebellion in his own house for his sins. A second child was born and named Solomon.
King David's Battle for Jerusalem
But David’s problems were just beginning. First his son Amnon raped his half-sister Tamar. In revenge, Absalom, another son, killed Amnon and fled into exile. He journeyed to Hebron where he began plotting against his father. He found plenty of support for David’s policies had not found favor with everyone.
Word soon reached David that his son had raised an army against him and was on the match towards Jerusalem. Unprepared for war, David abandoned the city, leaving ten concubines as a token guard for the palace. When Absalom arrived he took control of the city. Meanwhile, David had gathered an army and returned to do battle. In the ensuing fight Absalom and 20,000 of his troops were killed.
The final revolt against David came as the king grew old and was unable to continue fighting. David’s eldest son, Adonijah, perhaps tired of waiting for his father to die, declared himself king. David had other plans. He had promised Bathsheba that their son Solomon would succeed him. Adonijah, fearing for his life, took sanctuary at the alter of Jerusalem, but Solomon, now anointed king, pardoned him. King David died in 967 BC and was buried in the City of David.
Sources:
While there is historical and archeological proof that King David existed the only knowledge about him comes primarily from the Hebrew bible, what is commonly referred to as the Old Testament, in the books of Samuel I and II, Kings I and Chronicles I.
David and Goliath
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