David, youngest son of Jesse of Bethlehem, was Israel's second king. Taken from the sheep herds, he would prove himself in battle (beginning as a young man, slaying Goliath), becoming more popular than king Saul. He had been anointed secretly by Samuel, and became king of of all of Israel upon defeating Saul's son Ish-bosheth. He reigned for 40 years, to be succeeded by his son Solomon.
Known as a musician and a poet, he is accredited with many of the Psalms which offer an insight into his life, along with a rich study of the nature of God's relationship with his people.
Biography
Early Life
David was born to Jesse[12], as the youngest of eight sons (with two sisters, possibly older or younger than David)[13] in the town of Bethlehem. Jesse's family had been in Bethlehem at least back to Boaz[14], possibly as far back as Perez, Hezron's father[15]. David's birth in Bethlehem was a prophetic fulfilment of the blessing giving by the town's elders to Boaz and Ruth. This blessing gave hope that Ruth's offspring would build a family "like that of Rachel and Leah, Perez (son of Judah)"[16].
As the youngest, David was often responsible for care of the sheep that his father owned. David would often have to care for the sheep, even when his father and family would attend feasts, much like when Samuel met with Jesse.
On some occasions while David was caring for the sheep of his father, a lion and once a bear came and grabbed a sheep[17]. Though he was not a warrior he went after the animals that had seized the sheep and rescued them from being carried by the mouth. When they turned to attack him he killed each of them[18]. David recognized sooner or later that it was God who had delivered him from the hand of those carnivorous animals[19]. Before being anointed as king David had great musical ability on the harp, was handsome, and was recognized as a "warrior" and fine speaker.
Pre-Kingship
Anointed as king
After God had rejected Saul as king,[20] He sent Samuel to Bethlehem to the house of Jesse to anoint the indicated son as Saul's successor.[21] Samuel arrived in Bethlehem[22] and came to Jesse's family,[23] with each of the sons presenting himself to Samuel[24] (except David, the youngest[25]). God had not chosen any of these sons and so Jesse sent for David, who was watching the sheep[13].
Having been told by the Lord not to judge by appearance, Samuel found that David was healthy and handsome. Nevertheless, the lad was not what the prophet had become used to in a king. With the oil of anointment, Samuel officially set David apart as Saul's successor. From that point on the Holy Spirit was with David and he grew in God.
Serving Saul
However, the Holy Spirit had left Saul and instead was with David[26] so Saul was tormented[27]. Saul discussed his torment with his servants and suggesting to find somebody to play the lyre to soothe him,[28] David was recommended. As a servant had seen David and noted that he could play the lyre, had much bravery and warrior traits, waI unders attractive, a good speaker, and was a man of God.[29]
Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse, demanding him to send David to enter Saul's service. So David left his sheep[30] to serve his king. Jesse sent gifts by way of David: him a donkey loaded down with bread and wine, and a young goat.[31] Saul was pleased with the young man, assigning him to help maintain his armor.[32]
Slaying Goliath
With the Israelites at war with the Philistines, Saul recruited every able-bodied man he could, including David's three oldest brothers. However the Philistines recruited a champion named Goliath who stood about nine feet tall. Goliath challenged warriors to face him, the winner would have the opposing side be subject to them. During this time David went back and forth between tending his father's sheep, and service of Saul[33].
Jesse, in concern of of three eldest at war, sent David to deliver bread and grain to them, as well as a large gift of cheese for their commanding officer[34]. So early the next morning David left the sheep to be tended by another shepherd and set out with his supplies. Once he arrived at the battle camp he left his supplies with the supply-master.
Afterwards he approached the battle lines in order to converse with his brothers[35]. As he conversed Goliath approached, shouting his daily demand to engage him in combat. The Israelites fled from him; however, David had been given courage by God. So David asked his fellow Israelites what the reward of slaying the Philistine would be; this being wealth, Saul's daughter in marriage, and tax exemption. David's brother Eliab heard his talk and approached him angrily, accusing him of only visiting to watch the battle[36]. David continued to converse as he had done earlier, and this was reported to Saul, who sent for David[37].
David went to Saul stating that he would go fight Goliath, while Saul was assuring David he was too young and inexperienced[38].
David replied to Saul that he as a shepherd had defended his sheep from both lions and bears, because God was with him, and that God would be with him in fighting Goliath[17]. Saul was convinced and so he dressed David in armor. David was not used to the armor so he practiced walking around. David eventually decided he could not go fight in the armor since he wasn't used to it[39]. After taking the armor off David took his staff and went down to a stream and picked five stones and put them in his shepherd's pouch[40]. When he approached Goliath, Goliath saw how he was only a young man and was handsome and hated him, and began to curse him[41]. In response David challenged Goliath by the name of Yahweh, that Goliath would be delivered into his hands and head would be severed[42].
After this Goliath moved closer to him and he charged towards Goliath[43]. As David approached Goliath he reached into his bag and grabbed a stone from the stream and slung it at Goliath. The stone made a deep dent, gashing the forehead of Goliath[44], which caused him to fall face down. As David went out to meet the giant, Saul asked Abner to find out who the boy's father was[45]. So David defeated Goliath without a sword. David then ran over to Goliath's body and unsheathed the fallen giant's sword and beheaded him[46]. With Goliath defeated the Israelite army pursued the Philistines and plundered them. As David came back from killing the Philistine Abner brought him before Saul and asked him who his father was, Jesse of Bethlehem[12].
Meanwhile David brought Goliath's head to Jerusalem and kept Goliath's weapons as souvenirs in his tent[47].
Rising Popularity
Soon David and Saul's son Jonathan became close friends[48]. After this Saul decided to keep David in his service year-round, not allowing him to return home to his family[49]. During this time David would've received his promised tax exemption and great riches, becoming part of the noble class of Israel. David's friendship with Jonathan became so close that they made a friendship covenant, and Jonathan's clothes were gifted to him[50].
Seemingly David was put into Israel's army and received order's from Saul himself. David became so successful in his military career Saul gave him a high rank in the army which everyone was pleased by[51]. Soon David began to be praised for having killed tens of thousands of Philistines, with Saul thousands[52]. This greatly angered Saul who thought that since David had riches, tax exemption, military power, success and popularity would try to take his throne next[53]. So Saul began to keep a close eye on David[54].
One day when David was playing the lyre for Saul, Saul lunged a spear at David hoping to pin him on the wall[55], but David evaded it. With Saul's fear of David seizing the throne ever increasing he decided to put him in the frontlines of the military over one-thousand men[56]. This fear Saul had arose out of God being with David, but having departed Saul[57]. Eventually David was offered Saul's eldest daughter, Merab in marriage (this one of the "prizes" for defeating Goliath"), in condition that David would serve only Saul loyally in the military, hoping that David would be killed in war[58]. David declined the offer to become the son-in-law of the King, in humbleness, citing that he and his family were of little importance[59].
Another one of Saul's daughters Michal was in love with David and her father hearing this decided it would be a good method that would lead to David having passion in battle to be killed by a Philistine[60]. After a private consultation with some of the king's attendants, David still refused a daughter in marriage, in humbleness of his family's low social class[61]. Saul's attendants then explained to David it would not cost him any money and he would only want one-hundred foreskins of Philistines.
David went out with his men and killed two hundred Philistines, removing them of their foreskins, bringing double the required amount[62]. David then received Michal in marriage, and having God with him made Saul even more fearful[63]. David soon became well known after having continued success in battles against the Philistines[64].
Death Plot
Soon Saul told his son Jonathan and his attendants to try to murder David[65]. With the strong relationship between Jonathan and David, David was informed of this death plot by Jonathan who told him to go into hiding the next morning[66]. So the next morning David hid himself while Jonathan asked his father to reconsider, because it would be murder to kill an innocent man[67]. Saul agreed not to kill him and so Jonathan sought out David and found him and told him the conversation. David was then restored to his regular duties in Saul's administration[68]. With this David soon went back to fighting the Philistines, striking them with such powerful force that they fled[69].
David also resumed playing the lyre and an attempt was made on his life by Saul when aspear narrowly missed him[70]. That night men were sent to David's house to monitor to it and to kill David in the morning. The servant of Saul was frightened and wrote a mitkam[71], describing the soldiers who watched his house. David's wife Michal knew that if David did not escape he would be killed[72] so she lowered him out of window and fled[73]. David's wife then grabbed an idol and laid it on the bed, covering it with a garment and stuffing it with animal hair to disguise it as David[74]. In the morning the soldiers inquired of David and Michal deceptively told them that he was sick[75].
On the run
Meanwhile (while it was discovered he had escaped) David had fled to the city of Ramah and there made refuge with the retired prophet Samuel. David then went with Samuel to a city called Naioth in order to stay out of the hands of Saul[76]. Soon afterwards Saul discovered that David was hiding in Naioth and so David ran again, this time to Jonathan[77]. When Jonathan heard about his father's attempts on his best friend's life, he was astonished in disbelief[78]. David swore to Jonathan that Saul was trying to kill him and this was hidden because of Jonathan's love for David[79].
With his companion still in disbelief, David instructed Jonathan to tell Saul that he was traveling to his hometown of Bethlehem to participate in a sacrifice for the whole clan, instead of participating in the New Moon Feast with the King. Rather, David would be hiding in the fields[80]. When the New Moon Feast happened and David's seat was empty, Saul thought he was unclean and wasn't eligible to participate[81]. When David was not present the next day Saul asked Jonathan about him and he told him that he was in Bethlehem. Saul became infuriated with anger and Jonathan knew that it was indeed true that David was in danger[82].
Jonathan went and found David by some stones in the fields, just as they arranged. When David knew that Jonathan's father was infuriated about his absence, he kissed him on the cheek (a cultural saluation) and powerfully wept[83]. Finally David was sent off by Jonathan in peace[84]. David fled to Nob and there met with a priest named Ahimelech, who he told that he was on a highly secretive mission of the King[85]. David asked the priest for some bread, which the only kind he had was consecrated. Ahimelech asked David if kept himself from any women and David had, so he was able to eat the bread[86]. David also needed a weapon for his own protection, but the only one available was the sword of Goliath[87].
Pretend Insanity
Later that day David went to the domain of Achish, the King of Gath, a Philistine city[88]. Ashish's servants recognized David and when he heard they were aware of his massive casualties, he became fearful[89]. During this time David composed a mitkam[90] describing his emotions of fear and the tears that went with them[91]. In fear that the city of giants would want vengeance on David for killing the city's champion (Goliath) and many other Philistines, David pretended to be insane. When he pretended to have insanity he made marks on the city's gate and let saliva drool into his beard[92]. Achish was repulsed by David's supposed sanity and so he had him expelled from the city[93].
Near the time of pretending to be insane, David wrote a Psalm[94] that expressed his thanks to God from delivering him from the king.
David's army
David then escaped to the cave of Adullam. During this time David experienced great fear, and he wrote a mitkam that described his feelings[95]. To David the soldiers of Saul were like lions and ravenous beasts, whose teeth were sharp and dangerous[96]. His family[97] as well as debtors and other disadvantaged individuals heard he was there and came to rally around him, forming an army of about four hundred[98]. David had with him both his father Jesse, and his mother. Since David had a small army and was being hunted down by the armies of Israel, it seems David wanted to keep his parents away from war. David took his parents to Mizpah in Moab and put them under the protection of the king[99].
While David planned to take refuge in the city, the prophet Gad came to him and told him to not stay in the stronghold, but instead in the country of Judah. David did as was advised and hid in the Forest of Hereth[100].
When Saul began to see the work of those under his reign in delivering David far away he became furious. Saul's Chief Shepherd, Doeg the Edomite, notified Saul that he had noticed David in Nod and that Ahimelech the priest sheltered him. As a result Saul had all the priests in Nob killed, but Abiathar escaped[101].
David soon was met by Abiathar who told him of Saul's execution of the priests, leaving David to feel guilty for having all the priests killed[102]. In his contempt with Doeg the Edomite he wrote a maskil (a type of Psalm)[103], cursing Doeg's actions[104], while expressing trust in God[105].
Eventually David heard that the nearby Israelite city of Keilah was being attacked[106]. Since David had a small army he decided to consider counterattacking the Philistines in defense of the city, and so asked God[107]. This idea was rejected by David's men who challenged that they would not be able to stop Philistine forces when they were being hunted by Saul's army. Once again David consulted the LORD and He told David that the Philistines would be delivered into his hands[108]. So David with his army went down to Keilah, inflicting heavy casualties on the attacking Philistines, and rescuing the city[109].
On the move
Shortly thereafter Saul made plans to come down to the city David had just rescued in order to kill him. When David heard of this he consulted Yahweh (God), whether or not Saul would destroy the entire city to kill him. David was told that Saul would and so he left the city to avoid it being attacked once again[110].
From this point on David did not stay in one place for too long but moved from place to place as Saul grew near to discovering him. After leaving Keliah, David and his army went to Horesh in the Desert of Ziph[111], but when Saul came near they moved to the Desert of Maon[112]. During this time David was fearful and so he wrote a maskil asking God for deliverance[113]. Again David's location was discovered and so he moved, this time to the Desert of En Gedi[114].
David spares Saul
When Saul heard that David was En Gedi he brought with him three-thousand soldiers and began the search near the "Crags of the Wild Goats". Nearby there was a cave and deep in that cave David and his men were encamped[115]. This was unbeknownst to Saul who was in the cave "relieving" (its uncertain whether this refers to urination or bowel movement, sleeping or perhaps both) himself. When David and his men knew this they believed it to be the day that God would deliver Saul into their hands. So David sneaked up to Saul while he "relieved" himself and cut off part of his clothes[116].
After David realized what he had done he was shocked[117] and felt guilty for almost harming God's anointed king[118]. Then David rebuked his soldiers and forbid them from killing Saul[119]. After Saul left the cave David left the cave and prostrated before Saul and begged him not to continue this chase for he was innocent[120]. For a short while Saul decided to discontinue hunting down David.
David gains another wife
Then Samuel passed away and after this David moved to the Desert of Paran[121]. While in Paran, David's army encamped all around the property of a man named Nabal, forming a "wall" around their cattle[122]. When David and his men became hungry, David sent messengers to Nabal[123], but received only insults[124]. When David heard this he gathered four-hundred men and began to head for Nabal[125]. As David headed for Nabal he realized that he had wasted time protecting his cattle and he vowed to kill all the males belonging to Nabal[126]. Just then David's new future wife, the intelligent and beautiful, Abigail approached the horse-mounted group with gifts. She got off her donkey and prostrated before David, apologizing for her husband Nabal's lack of generosity and offered an abundance of food and cattle[127].
When David heard all of this he praised God and told Abigail that she was a blessing[128]. Then David took her gifts and sent her back home in peace[129]. Eventually God took vengeance[130] on David's behalf and several days later struck Nabal dead[131]. Then Abigail was asked to become David's wife and willingly came to become the wife of David[132]. At this time David was also married to Ahinoam, but his former wife Michal was remarried to another man[133].
David sneaks into Saul's camp
Once again reports had informed Saul of David's location, this time on the Hill of Hakilah. So Saul brought his army and encamped nearby the hill where David was hiding. After learning that Saul was nearby, David decided to sneak into his camp at night with Abishai[134]. While in the camp David and Abishai found Saul sleeping. Abishai almost took Saul's life with his own spear, but David prevented this, because he knew that they could not kill the current God-appointed king[135]. Though David and Abishai could not kill Saul, they stole the water jug and spear lying next to his side[136].
After this they ran out of the camp and back onto the hill of Hakilah. Once David was back on the hill he called out to Abner, that he had not done his duty to protect God's appointed King and would suffer God's punishment[137]. When Saul heard the conversation, he recognized the voice on the hill as David's. Saul called out to David and David asked Saul why he was chasing him down. Saul realized he had sinned, because he had not justified reason for persecuting David[138]. David returned Saul's spear to him and he went on his way, while Saul returned home[139].
In Philistia
Servant of Achish
David knew this promise from Saul would be short-lived, and so he decided to move to the Land of the Philistines, to remain hidden from his grasp[140]. David and his army of six-hundred took with them their families, including David's wives Abigail and Ahinoam. David went to live in the city of Gath, under the protection and rulership of King Achish[141]. While in the past David had been fearful of Achish, David was now favored in his eyes as a servant. When the King of Israel heard David was in Gath, he finally stopped pursuing him for death[142].
Eventually David asked King Achish for a town for him and his men to live in, and so he was given the city of Ziklag under the authority of the Philistines[143]. While living in Ziklag, David lead his army in many campaigns against enemies of the Philistines, such as the Amalekites or Geshurites[144]. When David lead these attacks he left no witnesses, in fear that people would view him as a savage; looting cattle and property[145]. Eventually Israel became so annoyed with David the King of Gath believed he could keep him in servanthood for life[146].
Once when the Philistines planned to attack the Israelites at Jezreel and Aphek, David and his armies served as a bodyguard militia protecting King Achish[147]. When the other Philistine commanders saw that Achish had a militia of Hebrews, they demanded he be sent back[148].
Ziklag looted
David, disappointed that he could not serve under Achish returned to Ziklag the next morning[149]. After a three days journey back to Ziklag, it was discovered the city had been raided. Everything that son of Jesse and his army owned, and their families- including Ahinoam and Abigail David's wives were gone[150]. David was distressed but found strength in God[151].
With the men exhausted from the stress of their kidnapped families, David and only four hundred men went to pursue the raiders, the Amalekites. After discovering an abandoned Egyptian slave of the raiders, David and his army were lead down to the Amalekites[152]. They fought with them until the evening of the next day. After inflicting heavy losses on the Amalekites, all of the property and family members were retrieved[153].
After returning to Ziklag the men fought began to grumble and wished that those who stayed behind would not receive loot. David urged that all the men were to share alike[154], which became a principle of his throughout his kingship[155]. David even sent some of the plunder to elders in various towns of the Tribe of Judah[156].
The King is dead
The youngest son of Jesse stayed in Ziklag for two days. On the third day a man came to David and informed him that Saul and Jonathan had been killed in battle. The man also brought with him clothes from Saul and Jonathan, including Saul's crown. David in despair tore the clothes of Saul and Jonathan and wrote a lament (recorded in the Book of Jasher)[157].
In total David lived in Philistia a year and four months[158]
King of Judah
Fight for Kingship
Soon thereafter Saul's death, David returned home to Israel, going up to Hebron as God had instructed him[159]. David brought with him his two wives, Ahinoam and Abigail[160]. When David was in Hebron the people of Judah came there and appointed him king over the tribe[161]. Though David was made King over the Tribe of Judah, the rest of Israel remained loyal to the House of Saul[162]. Judah had been loyal to David even when he faced persecution from Saul, and they recognized that he had been anointed to be Saul's successor[21].
Due to this conflict a civil war arose between the Tribe of Judah and the Nation of Israel, ruled by the House of David and House of Saul respectively[163]. During this conflict, Abner the leader of Saul's military was accused for sleeping with one of Saul's concubines. This angered him and so he finally decided to begin negotiations to transfer Kingship of Israel, to the rightful-appointed king, David[164].
Messengers were sent to David to begin negotiations. David was willing to do negotiations to begin winning over Israel and Saul's officials, contingent upon that he would be re-married to Michal. Abner agreed and Michal was given back to David in marriage, for he had won her by giving her father a hundred Philistine foreskins[165].
Murders
Soon thereafter Abner was stabbed by two of David's own soldiers who wanted to avenge their brother's death. When David heard of this he was in great despair, and he sang a lament and wept for Abner[166]. SInce David had much despair the people knew that he was not involved in the murder of Abner[167]. Shortly after this Ish-Bosheth was stabbed and murdered by followers of David, to avenge David of Saul's wrongdoings. Due to the evil they had done David had the murderers put to death[168].
Having children
While David was the King of Judah he began to have children and acquired many more wives (perhaps concubines) than his current three (Ahinoam, Abigail and Michal) in Hebron. David's first born son was Amnon whom he had with Ahinoam[169]. Within some time he also had Kileab[170] (also called Daniel) with Abigail, Absalom with Talmai (Princess of Geshur)[171], Adonijah with Haggith[172], Shephatiah with Abitail[173] and Ithream with Elgah[174][175].
David had these children all some time during his reign as King of Judah. David ruled the Tribe of Judah from its capital of Hebron for seven years and six months[176].
King of Israel
David made King
All the people of Israel and the elders of the tribes gathered at Hebron where David was ruler of Judah. The elders finally recognized that David had been anointed by God to be ruler of Israel after Saul. So the elders of the tribes of Israel made a covenant with David and they recognized him as King over all of Israel[177]. David became King of Israel at thirty-seven[178].
City of David
Once David was King, he marched his army to Jerusalem where the native Jebusites lived. The Jebusites mocked David by saying that he could not get in, because even the disabled could ward him off[179]. David gave a challenge to his soldiers, whoever would lead the attack would become Commander-in-Chief of the army. Joab volunteered to go up and lead the attack, and so he was made Commander-in-Chief, and he would become a powerful advisor and aide to David[180]. The city was attacked and David did have it captured[179].
So David moved his residence from Hebron to Jerusalem. He then called the city, the City of David, named after himself. The new name was an eponym to David, for it being the new residence and capital of the nation he ruled. David had the city greatly expanded and built up as Israel's new capital[181]. David grew even more powerful after occupying Jerusalem, because God was with him[182].
David also created a partnership with King Hiram of Tyre, who arranged supplies and laborers to build David a palace. Based on this David knew God had truly established Him as King[183].
Defeating Philistia
Israel's longtime enemy, Philistia, soon heard of David's establishment as King. Feeling threatened (perhaps due to David at one point serving on their side) they gathered in full force to attack him. David inquired of God if he should attack them, which he was told they would be delivered into his hands. The son of Jesse went and attacked the Philistines at their camp. Once again the Philistines came back and established camp. This time God instructed the King of Israel to circle behind them and he struck them down and finally defeated them[184]. Therefore, King David's name became known throughout the whole world and was feared by all nations[185].
Bring the Ark to Jerusalem
After David had many buildings constructed for himself and his government in Jerusalem, he had prepared a place for the Ark of the Covenant. David gathered a large group of Priests, Musicians, and Soldiers to parade the Ark to Jerusalem. As they entered the City of David, David danced around shirtless in a linen ephod celebrating before God.
After the parade David went and sacrificed and returned home. His wife Michal was furious with him, because he had danced shirtless in public view of all the women in Israel. David in response told Michal he was celebrating before the LORD and would be held by the women in honor[186]. So Michal did not have any children with David, until she would die.
The Davidic Covenant
Once David had transitioned his living and governance into the Palace, he became upset that while he was living in a majestic home, the Ark of the Covenant was in a tent. He told this to his Royal Seer (a prophet), Nathan. While Nathan originally had no objections, God revealed to him a message for King David. After hearing it Nathan relayed the message from God to David. In the revelation, God reminded David that he brought him from being a shepherd to ruler of God's chosen people. David was told that God had cut off all his enemies and promised David's name would be made great. Further David was told that his House would be established forever; that his successor would be one of his own offspring, and would be the one to build the house for the Ark[187].
In joy of this covenant David went and prayed to God. He expressed wonder that from his small family (the clan of Bethlehem) would be established a permanent Monarchy over Israel. David recognized since God had promised him these things, he would keep his covenant. This gave him the courage to pray his prayer before God.
Warrior King
In the course of time David achieved many military victories over other nations, sending many into submission. Though the Philistines had been defeated, David continued to pursue remnants of their army. The Moabites were also defeated by Jesse's son and so they became a client state and brought tribute. David also defeated Prince Hadadezer of Zobah, when he had captured his monument near the Euphrates River. When the Arameans in Damascus arrived to reinforce Hadadezer, they were defeated; this lead to them becoming a client state and to pay tribute[188].
Soon the enemy of Hadadezer delivered David some silver as a reward. David took all of the looted treasures of bronze, silver and gold from all the nations that were now under his control and gave them to God[189]. Additionally David attacked Edom and made them subject and had them pay tribute. David also established garrisons throughout many of the territories he captured[190].
After this the King of Israel wrote a teaching mitkam[191]. In this psalm the various lands of Israel are metaphorically described as pieces of God's "armor", while the nations that were defeated as "waste bins" that were trampled on[192].
Diplomacy with opponents
House of Saul
Soon thereafter, David inquired if anyone of the House of Saul was still alive. David was informed that a grandson of Saul, and son of Jonathan named Mephibosheth was still living. Mephibosheth, who could not walked, was brought before David and was showed kindness for the sake of his father Jonathan. David gave him all of Saul's inheritance, including Saul's servant Ziba. Mephibosheth was also given a place of honor and respect at the table of David[193].
Ammonites
At one point the King of Ammon, Nahash died, and his son Hanun succeeded him. In order to show kindness and diplomacy to the Ammonites, David sent envoys to consul with Hanun. When the envoys came to meet Hanun, he had them captured and shaved their beards and cut their undergarments. This was done, because Hanun thought they were spies gathering intelligence to attack Ammon.
When Amnon realized that they had harassed David, they hired a mercenary army. David took immediate action and sent Joab and his forces out to respond to the Ammonites' mercenaries.
Characteristics
From a young age David had a deep faith in God, even receiving the courage from Him to fight a bear, lion and especially Goliath[194]. He was even considered by God as man after His own heart[195]. David enjoyed the Bible and joyfully sought to obey its commandments[196]. During his rule he had the guidance of the Holy Spirit within him[26].
However, as a man of passion, David was a sinner. This was especially true with his sin of adultery with Bathsheba[197]. What began as a blatant internal sin of covetousness ended in the death of a good friend—murder by conspiracy. Another great sin, that of pride, led David to ascertain the strength of his army. Warned that this was a sin against the Law by his aide Joab[198], David commanded the census[199]. This angered God greatly[200]. Realizing his sin, David turned to God begging for mercy[201].
When David was old and suffering from chills, his servants brought him an attractive virgin named Abishag to care for him and to keep him warm[202]. Though the care required the girl to lay in bed with him, David did not sleep with[203], this showing that perhaps after the affair with Bathsheba God strengthened his resistance against sexual temptation.
Verses
- ↑ 1 Sam 18:27 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 25:42 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 25:43 (Link)
- ↑ 2 Sam 3:5 (Link)
- ↑ 2 Sam 3:4 (Link)
- ↑ 2 Sam 3:4,1 Kings 1:5,1 Kings 1:11,1 Kings 2:13,1 Chr 3:2 (Link)
- ↑ 2 Sam 12:24 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 16:12 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Chr 14:5 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Chr 14:5 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 16:10 (Link)
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 1 Sam 17:58
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 1 Sam 16:10-11
- ↑ Ruth 4:17,21-22 (Link)
- ↑ Ruth 4:18 (Link)
- ↑ Ruth 4:11-12 (Link)
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 1 Sam 17:34
- ↑ 1 Sam 17:35 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 17:37 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Samuel 15:23 (Link)
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 1 Samuel 16:1-3
- ↑ 1 Sam 16:4 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 16:5 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 16:6-9 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 16:11 (Link)
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 1 Sam 16:13
- ↑ 1 Sam 16:15 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 16:15-17 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 16:18 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 16:19 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 16:20 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 16:21 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Samuel 17:1-16 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Samuel 17:17-18 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Samuel 17:20-22 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Samuel 17:25-28 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Samuel 17:29-31 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Samuel 17:32-33 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Samuel 17:38-39 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 17:40 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 17:41-44 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 17:45-47 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 7:48 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 17:49 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 17:55-56 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 17:51 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 17:54 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 18:1 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 18:2 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 18:3-4 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 18:5 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 18:7 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 18:8 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 18:9 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 11:18 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 18:13 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 18:12,14-15 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 18:17 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 18:18 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 18:20-21 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 18:22-23 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 18:26-27 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 18:28-29 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 18:30 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 19:1 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 19:2 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 19:4-5 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 19:6-7 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 19:8 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 19:10 (Link)
- ↑ Psa 59 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 19:11 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 19:12 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 19:13 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 19:14 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 19:18. (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 19:23-20:1 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 20:2 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 20:3 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 20:5,24 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 20:25-26 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 20:7,27-33 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 20:41 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 20:42 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 21:1-2 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 21:4-6 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 21:8-9 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 21:10 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 21:12 (Link)
- ↑ Psa 56 (Link)
- ↑ Psa 56:8 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 21:13 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 21:14-15 (Link)
- ↑ Psa 34 (Link)
- ↑ Psa 57 (Link)
- ↑ Psa 57:4 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 22:1 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 22:2 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 22:3-4 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 22:5 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 22:6-20 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 22:21-23 (Link)
- ↑ Psa 52 (Link)
- ↑ Psa 52:1-7 (Link)
- ↑ Psa 52:8-9 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 23:1 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 23:2 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 23:3-4 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 23:5 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 23:11-12 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 23:14-23 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 23:24-28 (Link)
- ↑ Psa 54 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 23:29-24:1 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 24:3 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 24:4 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 24:5 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 24:6 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 24:7 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 24:8-22 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 25:1 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 25:15 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 25:7-9 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 25:10-11, 14 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 25:13 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 25:21-22 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 25:24-27 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 25:32-34 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 25:35 (Link)
- ↑ Deut 32:35, Rom 12:19 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 25:38-39 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 25:4-42 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 25:43-44 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 26:1-6 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 26:7-11 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 26:12 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 26:13-16 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 26:17-21 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 26:22-24 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 27:1 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 27:2-3 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 27:4 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 27:5-6 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 27:8,10 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 27:9,11 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 27:12 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 28:1-2, 29:1-2 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 29:3-5 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 29:6-11 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 30:3-6 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 30:6 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 6:7-16 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 30:17-20 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 30:21-24 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 30:25 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 30:26-31 (Link)
- ↑ 2 Sam 1 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 27:7 (Link)
- ↑ 2 Sam 2:1 (Link)
- ↑ 2 Sam 2:2 (Link)
- ↑ 2 Sam 2:4 (Link)
- ↑ 2 Sam 2:10 (Link)
- ↑ 2 Sam 2:12-30, 3:1,6 (Link)
- ↑ 2 Sam 3:7-10 (Link)
- ↑ 2 Sam 3:12-14 (Link)
- ↑ 2 Sam 3:32-34 (Link)
- ↑ 2 Sam 3:36-37 (Link)
- ↑ 2 Sam 4 (Link)
- ↑ 2 Sam 3:2 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Chr 3:1 (Link)
- ↑ 2 Sam 3:2 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Chr 3:2 (Link)
- ↑ 2 Sam 3:4 (Link)
- ↑ 2 Sam 3:5 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Chr 3:3 (Link)
- ↑ 2 Sam 2:11, 5:5, 1 Kings 2:11 (Link)
- ↑ 2 Sam 5:1-3m 1 Chr 11:1-3 (Link)
- ↑ 2 Sam 5:4 (Link)
- ↑ 179.0 179.1 2 Sam 5:6-7, 1 Chr 11:4
- ↑ 1 Chr 11:6 (Link)
- ↑ 2 Sam 5:9, 1 Chr 11:7-8 (Link)
- ↑ 2 Sam 5:10, 1 Chr 11:9 (Link)
- ↑ 2 Sam 5:11-12, 1 Chr 14:1-2 (Link)
- ↑ 2 Sam 5:17-22, 1 Chr 14:8-16 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Chr 4:17 (Link)
- ↑ 2 Sam 6:14-21, 1 Chr 15:25-29 (Link)
- ↑ 2 Sam 7:1-17, 1 Chr 17:1-15 (Link)
- ↑ 2 Sam 8:1-5, 1 Chr 18:1-5 (Link)
- ↑ 2 Sam 8:7-11, 1 Chr 18:7-11 (Link)
- ↑ 2 Sam 8:6, 12-14; 1 Chr 18:6, 12-14 (Link)
- ↑ Psa 60 (Link)
- ↑ Psa 60:7-8 (Link)
- ↑ 2 Sam 9 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 17:37 (Link)
- ↑ Acts 13:22 (Link)
- ↑ Psa 119:47-48 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Sam 21:11 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Chron. 21:3 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Chr 21:1-5 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Chr 21:7 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Chr 21:8 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Kings 1:1-3 (Link)
- ↑ 1 Kings 1:4 (Link)
es:David zh:大衛