King · OT
David
Shepherd, psalmist, and second king of Israel — 'a man after God's own heart' from whose line Christ would come.
David, the youngest son of Jesse of Bethlehem, was anointed king by the prophet Samuel while still tending his father's sheep. He first appears in public history defeating the Philistine champion Goliath with a sling and a stone in the name of the Lord of hosts. As Saul's armor-bearer and harpist, his rising fame provoked the king's murderous jealousy, and David spent years as a fugitive, refusing twice to lift his hand against the Lord's anointed.
After Saul's death he was made king first over Judah and then over all Israel. He captured Jerusalem and made it the capital, brought up the ark, and received God's covenant promise that his throne would endure forever (2 Samuel 7). His reign was scarred by adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband Uriah, sins he repented of with the brokenness of Psalm 51. Family rebellions, including Absalom's revolt, marked his later years.
David is the chief author of the Psalter and the royal forerunner of the Messiah, who is called throughout the New Testament 'the Son of David.'
Key moments
Anointed by Samuel
Chosen as the youngest of Jesse's sons (1 Samuel 16).
David and Goliath
Defeats the Philistine giant in the name of the Lord (1 Samuel 17).
Brings the ark to Jerusalem
Establishes Jerusalem as Israel's spiritual capital (2 Samuel 6).
The Davidic covenant
God promises an eternal throne to his descendant (2 Samuel 7).
Sin with Bathsheba and repentance
Confronted by Nathan the prophet; pours out Psalm 51.
Key verses
"But Jehovah said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have rejected him: for Jehovah seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but Jehovah looketh on the heart."
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"Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a javelin: but I come to thee in the name of Jehovah of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will Jehovah deliver thee into my hand; and I will smite thee, and take thy head from off thee; and I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day unto the birds of the heavens, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that Jehovah saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is Jehovah’s, and he will give you into our hand."
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"And thy house and thy kingdom shall be made sure for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever."
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"Jehovah is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside still waters. He restoreth my soul: He guideth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake."
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"Create in me a clean heart, O God; And renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; And take not thy holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; And uphold me with a willing spirit."
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"And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king; to whom also he bare witness and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my heart, who shall do all my will."
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Frequently asked
How long did David reign as king?
David reigned forty years total — seven years and six months over Judah from Hebron, and thirty-three years over all Israel from Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:4-5).
Why is Jesus called the 'Son of David'?
Through the prophet Nathan, God promised David an everlasting throne. Jesus, descended from David through both Mary and Joseph, is the messianic king who fulfills that covenant (Matthew 1:1, Luke 1:32-33).
Did David write all the Psalms?
No. David is the most prolific psalmist — at least 73 psalms bear his name in the headings — but the Psalter also contains psalms by Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, and others.
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