David This page includes depictions of biblical events including violence, warfare, and mature themes as described in the original biblical narrative.
This page includes depictions of biblical events including violence, warfare, and mature themes as described in the original biblical narrative.
The boy who killed Goliath and sang hymns.
David's Life Story
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David was a man after God's own heart, and throughout his lifetime, he kept his close relationship with God. He was the youngest son of Jesse, usually found caring for his father's sheep. But God had bigger plans for the future of this humble young lad.
Long before his encounter with Goliath, David was already anointed as King of Israel when Saul had sinned against God. When no one else could defeat Goliath of the Philistines, the power of God came over David and even though he was little. He fought against Goliath and killed him. Because of this, he became closer to the King.
However, King Saul had a growing hatred for David and tried to kill him instead of keeping his promise to take him as a son. So, Jonathan, the son of King Saul and a friend to David, helped David escape for his dear life. David stayed away from the city for a while, waiting for God's perfect timing.
Years later, King Saul died, and David became the king of Israel. God was with King David, and he was known to win many battles, and bring together the tribes of Israel as one. The people loved him so much, and David loved to worship God, making him a great King in the history of Israel.
David turned his back against God at some point in his life. He had an affair with another man's wife, and he did not want anyone to know about his sin. He tried all he could to cover up the woman's pregnancy but when that did not work, he planned the death of the man and married his wife.
God was angry with him and sent Nathan to tell him of his sin, but David was quick to confess and plead for forgiveness from God. He was forgiven, but his child with Bathsheba became sick. He fasted and prayed so God could spare the life of the child, but the child died, and David stopped his prayers.
God still continued his friendship with David, and Bathsheba bore another son called Solomon who was another great king. The life of David is a great example of faith, courage, and the importance of repentance. He was always seeking the wisdom of God, and so his life became set apart and evident of God's hand.
Important Events
David Anointed as King by Samuel
God told Samuel, a prophet and judge in Israel, to go to the house of Jesse because He wanted to anoint one of his sons as King over Saul. When Jesse heard this, he was scared that Saul would kill him, but God gave him instructions on how to go about it.
When Samuel went to Bethlehem, he told the elders that he wished to make a sacrifice to the Lord. Then he invited Jesse and his sons to this sacrifice. When they came, Samuel saw Eliab, a good-looking son who seemed fit to be King. But God said no because more than stature mattered for a king. After Samuel saw all of Jesse's sons and God denied them all, he asked if that was all. Jesse let him know the youngest, David, was caring for the sheep. When David was called, Samuel heard from God that he was the one, so he anointed David as King.
David Defeating Goliath
There was a battle between the Philistines and the Israelites. The Philistines had Goliath the mighty giant, but the Israelites had no one who could stand against him. Goliath stood for forty days and nights, telling them to bring someone to fight. If the person wins, then the Philistines would become slaves to the Israelites, but if the person loses, then the Israelites would be slaves to the Philistines.
Jesse sent his son, David to take food for his elder brothers and bring back news of their wellbeing to him. When David heard all Goliath said and what was promised to the person who defeats him, he let King Saul know that he killed a lion before with his bare hands, so he could defeat Goliath. David went without an armour, only with a stone and a sling, hitting Goliath on his head and killing him with his own sword.
The Bathsheba Incident
King David was walking on the roof of the palace when he saw beautiful Bathsheba taking her bath. He was moved and even after he was told that she was the wife of his servant called Uriah, David still asked her to be brought up to him. Then he slept with her, and she became pregnant. To try to cover his sin, he called Uriah to the palace and asked him to go home to rest from the ongoing war. After several failed attempts, Uriah still did not go home to his wife.
King David did not want his sin to be known, so he instructed Joab to put Uriah in a position at war where he would surely die and when this happened, David took Bathsheba as his wife. God sent Nathan to let David know He was angry. So, David confessed his sins and God showed him mercy, but Bathsheba's child died for this sin.
The Davidic Covenant
After God had mercy on David, He fought all his battles and none of his enemies could defeat him. David was at peace and had all that he needed, so he told Nathan that he wished to build a house made with good materials for the ark of God, just like David's own house. Nathan gave him a simple go ahead, but God later spoke to Nathan at night, telling him all that he may tell David. Because of David's desire to build a house for the Ark of God, God blessed him and his entire generation. God promised that his mercy will never depart from David's house, he will have rest from his enemies, and his throne will be established forever. This was the covenant God made with David, because a house was to be built for worshipping God.
Fun Facts
Quiz
Where You Can Find Him
Where You Can Find Her
Books and chapters
- 1 Samuel; 2 Samuel
- 1 Kings 1-3
- 1 Chronicles 10-29; 2 Chronicles 1-9
- Psalms (about half of the chapters)
- Matthew 1:1-6
- Luke 1:32
- Acts 13:22, 34-36
- Romans 1:3
Other Characters
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