
Who was David?
Shepherd anointed by Samuel who killed Goliath, reigned forty years over Judah and Israel, and received God's promise of an enduring dynasty.
The story of David
David is the second king of Israel, the youngest of the eight sons of Jesse of Bethlehem, and a descendant of Ruth and Boaz through Obed (Ruth 4:17, Ruth 4:22; 1 Samuel 17:12-14). While he is still a shepherd, Samuel anoints him among his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD comes upon him (1 Samuel 16:13). He then enters Saul's service as harpist and armourbearer (1 Samuel 16:21-23).
He kills the Philistine champion Goliath of Gath with a sling and a stone, declaring that he comes in the name of the LORD of hosts (1 Samuel 17:45, 1 Samuel 17:50). Jonathan, Saul's son, loves him (1 Samuel 18:1), but Saul seeks his life (1 Samuel 19:15). David refuses to harm Saul, whom he calls the LORD's anointed (1 Samuel 24:6).
After Saul's death, the men of Judah anoint David king at Hebron, and later all the elders of Israel do the same (2 Samuel 2:4, 2 Samuel 5:3). He begins to reign at thirty and reigns forty years, seven and a half in Hebron and thirty-three in Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:4-5). He takes the stronghold of Zion, called the city of David (2 Samuel 5:7), and brings the ark of the LORD there (2 Samuel 6:17).
Through Nathan, God promises that David's house and kingdom will be established for ever (2 Samuel 7:16). David defeats Moab and other enemies (2 Samuel 8:2). He takes Bathsheba and arranges the death of her husband Uriah (2 Samuel 11:15).
When Nathan confronts him, he confesses his sin (2 Samuel 12:13). He later flees the rebellion of his son Absalom and mourns bitterly at Absalom's death (2 Samuel 15:14, 2 Samuel 18:33). Because he has shed much blood in great wars, God gives the task of building the temple to his son Solomon, a man of rest.
David gathers materials for it before his death (1 Chronicles 22:5, 1 Chronicles 22:8-9). He has Solomon made king (1 Kings 1:43), then dies and is buried in the city of David (1 Kings 2:10-11). He is called the sweet psalmist of Israel (2 Samuel 23:1), and many psalms bear his name (Psalms 34:1).
The New Testament calls him a man after God's own heart and names Jesus the seed of David (Acts 13:22, Romans 1:3).
- Name meaning
- Beloved
- Name origin
- Hebrew
- Role
- King of Israel
- First mention
- Ruth 4:17
- Appearances in the Bible
- 968 mentions
David in the Bible
Chapters that mention David
- Ruth 4
- 1 Samuel 16
- 1 Samuel 17
- 1 Samuel 18
- 1 Samuel 19
- 1 Samuel 20
- 1 Samuel 21
- 1 Samuel 22
- 1 Samuel 23
- 1 Samuel 24
- 1 Samuel 25
- 1 Samuel 26
- 1 Samuel 27
- 1 Samuel 28
- 1 Samuel 29
- 1 Samuel 30
- 2 Samuel 1
- 2 Samuel 2
- 2 Samuel 3
- 2 Samuel 4
- 2 Samuel 5
- 2 Samuel 6
- 2 Samuel 7
- 2 Samuel 8
- 2 Samuel 9
- 2 Samuel 10
- 2 Samuel 11
- 2 Samuel 12
- 2 Samuel 13
- 2 Samuel 15
- +229
Coloring pages with David
Questions about David
Who was David in the Bible?
David is the second king of Israel, the youngest of the eight sons of Jesse of Bethlehem, and a descendant of Ruth and Boaz through Obed (Ruth 4:17, Ruth 4:22; 1 Samuel 17:12-14). While he is still a shepherd, Samuel anoints him among his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD comes upon him (1 Samuel 16:13). He then enters Saul's service as harpist and armourbearer (1 Samuel 16:21-23). He kills the Philistine champion Goliath of Gath with a sling and a stone, declaring that he comes in the name of the LORD of hosts (1 Samuel 17:45, 1 Samuel 17:50). Jonathan, Saul's son, loves him (1 Samuel 18:1), but Saul seeks his life (1 Samuel 19:15). David refuses to harm Saul, whom he calls the LORD's anointed (1 Samuel 24:6). After Saul's death, the men of Judah anoint David king at Hebron, and later all the elders of Israel do the same (2 Samuel 2:4, 2 Samuel 5:3). He begins to reign at thirty and reigns forty years, seven and a half in Hebron and thirty-three in Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:4-5). He takes the stronghold of Zion, called the city of David (2 Samuel 5:7), and brings the ark of the LORD there (2 Samuel 6:17). Through Nathan, God promises that David's house and kingdom will be established for ever (2 Samuel 7:16). David defeats Moab and other enemies (2 Samuel 8:2). He takes Bathsheba and arranges the death of her husband Uriah (2 Samuel 11:15). When Nathan confronts him, he confesses his sin (2 Samuel 12:13). He later flees the rebellion of his son Absalom and mourns bitterly at Absalom's death (2 Samuel 15:14, 2 Samuel 18:33). Because he has shed much blood in great wars, God gives the task of building the temple to his son Solomon, a man of rest. David gathers materials for it before his death (1 Chronicles 22:5, 1 Chronicles 22:8-9). He has Solomon made king (1 Kings 1:43), then dies and is buried in the city of David (1 Kings 2:10-11). He is called the sweet psalmist of Israel (2 Samuel 23:1), and many psalms bear his name (Psalms 34:1). The New Testament calls him a man after God's own heart and names Jesus the seed of David (Acts 13:22, Romans 1:3).
What does the name David mean?
The name David means “Beloved”. Origin: Hebrew.
Where is David first mentioned in the Bible?
David is first mentioned in Ruth 4:17.
How many times is David mentioned in the Bible?
Number of mentions in the Bible: 968.
Who were the parents of David?
Parents: Jesse.
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