Little-Known Facts About David In The Bible That You May Not Know

David was the second king of Israel in the Old Testament.

He established the Judaean dynasty, uniting all of Israel's tribes under a single monarch. In Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, David is a significant person and is regarded as a model king.

David, Jesse's youngest son, was a young shepherd boy born in Bethlehem, he started his career as an adviser at the court of Saul, Israel's first king.

He gained such a name for himself as a mighty warrior against the Philistines that his popularity enraged Saul, so a plot was devised to assassinate him. He fled to the coastal plains of Palestine, to southern Judah and Philistia, where he began to construct the foundations of his career with remarkable sagacity and insight.

David is perhaps most known for using a slingshot to kill the giant and Philistine champion Goliath, an accomplishment fit for the future king of Israel.

Part of what makes David a man after God's own heart is his reliance on the Lord Almighty and the constant pursuit of friendship with Him.

The following article is based on David's reign as told in the Bible.

Learn more such interesting biblical facts in related Kidadl articles facts about Daniel in the Bible and facts about Esther from the Bible

Story Of David In The Bible

The authors of the biblical chronicles of David's political career (in Samuel 1 and 2) show a keen understanding of the character of a guy who might leave an enduring personal imprint in a given situation.

David began his career as an aide at the court of Saul, Israel's first king. He had the skill of making his behavior in particular situations serve his persistent and long-term goals, in addition to his capacity to exploit the immediate situation in service of his instant requirements.

The Bible tells the tale of David's life twice. The Book of Chronicles contains a purposefully sanitized version of David that portrays him as a gentler, calmer, and more devout man.

David's faith in God and his desire to see God's glory are noteworthy. Jesus is described in the New Testament as a descendant of the House of David.

Goliath was defeated by David. He likewise quit minding his father's sheep and joined Saul's army full-time. Jonathan, Saul's son became good friends with David at this time.

After revoking Saul's kingship, the prophet Samuel anointed David as Saul's heir. David rose to prominence after slaying the Philistine giant Goliath in battle, however another biblical version credits this event to a man named Elhanan. At court, David married the crown prince's sister Michal and acquired the crown prince's eternal friendship.

David's popularity aroused Saul's jealousy and he tried to kill him, however, not with his own hands, he asked David to marry his daughter, Merab, but David humbly refused. After Saul tried to kill David, he fled and became a leader of outlaws.

When Saul died, David became the ruler. David never raised a hand against God's anointed king, even when Saul pursued him intending to kill him. When Saul rebelled against God, God sent an evil spirit to torture him.

David was crowned king in Hebron, according to the biblical account.

He fought for a few years against Ishbaal, surviving son of King Saul, who had also been proclaimed king, but the civil war ended with Ishbaal's death at the hands of his courtiers and David's anointing as king over all of Israel.

He seized the Jebusite-held city of Jerusalem, establishing it as the capital of the new united kingdom and relocating the hallowed Ark of the Covenant, Israel's ultimate religious symbol. He seized the coastal territory and crushed the Philistines so thoroughly that they were never a danger to the Israelites' security again.

He went on to build an empire by becoming the ruler of several petty kingdoms bordering Israel, such as Edom, Moab, and Ammon.

With Phoenicia in the west, the Arabian Desert in the east, the Orontes River in the north, and Etzion Geber (Elath) in the south, David's kingdom grew to encompass Phoenicia, the Arabian Desert, the Orontes River, and Etzion Geber (Elath). Internal political struggle, on the other hand, defeated David.

Absalom, one of David's sons, staged a revolt that was put down when Joab, David's general, assassinated him despite the king's instruction that he be spared. In addition, David had to put down a revolt by Saul's clan, the Benjaminites.

David agreed to fight Goliath after hearing Goliath's harsh comments against Israel and God. Rather than insisting on sending an older, more experienced officer (or perhaps himself) to protect God and Israel against Goliath, King Saul grants David's request.

After a few clothing changes (and eventually resuming his regular attire), David chooses five river stones as ammunition and prepares to face his colossal foe.

As Goliath approaches young David, the young man hurls a stone at him, striking him square in the face and knocking him unconscious. David was a mere teenager when he killed Goliath.

How Old Was King David When He Died

After reigning for 40 years, David dies at the age of 70.

David died of natural causes in 970 BCE, was buried in Jerusalem, and, according to the Hebrew and Greek scriptures, his piety and genealogy aided the creation of the kingdom of Israel.

David's son King Solomon received his final instructions to follow in God's ways and to follow all the commandments of God, study the law, and exercise moral judgment upon the people.

The Bible describes David's mortal death. However, according to Jewish and Christian tradition, he will live eternally, both in the bloodline of the Messiah as envisioned in Jewish tradition and the bloodline of Jesus of Nazareth as revealed in the New Testament.

King David Characteristics

Although the Bible glorifies David as a warrior, statesman, loyal friend, and skilled poet, it does not ignore his flaws and moral failings.

David, as portrayed in the Hebrew Bible, is a man of great contradictions. One biblical author calls him "a man after God's own heart," while another calls him "a bloodstained demon of hell."

The Hebrew Bible uses the term "Satan" to characterize David's opponent. David once planned the assassination of one of his commanders, Uriah the Hittite, in battle so that he could marry Uriah's lovely wife, Bathsheba.

When Uriah died he married Bathsheba.

For this grave sin, the prophet Nathan condemned him, and the baffled king fasted and prayed in repentance, realizing that he had committed a major moral blunder. Nathan told David that he had been pardoned, and the Almighty kindly spared David from having to die as the law required.

David was the youngest of eight children. The Bible has been described as a story that celebrates the success of later-born sons over first-born sons: Isaac over Ishmael, Jacob over Esau, Moses over Aaron (and Miriam), and so on.

David was the youngest of seven or eight sons, which was more extreme than these pairs. David was a strong but quiet shepherd who is chosen by God to succeed Saul as king of Israel. He is humble yet confident, ignoring human opinion with ease.

Early in his life, David demonstrates his humility by killing the giant Goliath with a sling stone rather than using the royal armor of King Saul. His greatest distinguishing feature is his dedication to God.

David's mercy for others shows his selflessness, which comes from his unwavering dedication to ethical standards. When he refuses to kill Saul when Saul's back is turned, his sense of propriety is stunning.

David rejects the easy opportunity to attack because he believes that attacking God's current anointed monarch would be ethically wrong. For Jonathan's sake, David sought out any remaining members of Saul's household to whom he could show goodwill.

As king, David forgives the kingdom's traitors while executing his adversaries' traitors. David's mercy may also be seen as a reflection of his political ambitions. David refuses to assassinate Saul because he fears that any standards he sets for the current monarch would be used against him in the future.

David appears to be a pragmatist, someone who acts based on what is practical or expedient rather than principles. The Old Testament, on the other hand, appears to imply that David's religious goals do not conflict with his pragmatism.

David is the traditional author of the Book of Psalms, a collection of 150 Hebrew Bible poetry. He is, nonetheless, the source of inspiration for some well-known contemporary songs.

David wrote more about David's Sin and Sorrow —More of David's adventures after he became king, many of which contain predictions about Jesus Christ. However, there is a lot of tragedy in this story, primarily because of David's immorality with Bathsheba.

Physical Description Of David In The Bible

David's appearance becomes obvious when he emerges in front of Samuel. David is described as ruddy, with a fine countenance and handsome features in 1 Samuel 16:12 of the New International Version of the Bible.

David was glowing with health and had a great appearance and lovely features, according to other sources. David is also frequently described as a sight for sore eyes in all Bible translations; most accounts of him suggest he was an extremely good-looking man with gorgeous eyes.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for facts about David in the bible then why not take a look at facts about Gideon in the Bible or Abraham facts.