The Story of King David in The Bible (From Shepherd to Ruler of Israel)

David was the most well-known king in the Bible. He was the second king during the monarchical period in Israel, reigning from 1055 to 1015 B.C. His reign was not only marked by wars and persecutions, but also by great victories and the organization of worship services to the Lord. His story is presented in the books of 1 and 2 Samuel in the Bible.

In his childhood, David was a ruddy, handsome young boy who helped with household chores. He tended his father's sheep. Although it seemed like a simple task, David took this work very seriously. Courageously, he defended his flock from terrible predators like bears and lions. Even when he had to leave, he would leave the sheep under the care of a watchman.

Later, he recorded in one of his most famous poems, Psalm 23, the beautiful comparison of God as the Supreme Shepherd of His people.

In addition to being a poet and songwriter, David was also a brilliant musician. While still young, he was invited to serve the king as an instrumentalist. Saul was the first king of Israel, but God rejected him due to his constant disobedience and stubbornness. Thus, the Spirit of the Lord departed from him, and he was continually tormented by an evil spirit.

Saul sent for David to play the harp before him, so that he would feel relief and be free from that affliction. David did this and pleased King Saul so much that Saul asked Jesse, David's father, to let him serve as his armor-bearer and royal musician.

After God rejected Saul as king, He sent the prophet Samuel to anoint one of Jesse's sons (1 Samuel 16).

While still young, David was anointed by the prophet Samuel as king of Israel. On this occasion, Samuel went to Bethlehem to anoint one of Jesse's sons. When he encountered the older sons, Samuel thought that God had chosen one of those strong, tall, and valiant young men he saw, such as Eliab, Abinadab, and Shammah, David's older brothers. However, God taught the prophet a precious lesson:

Samuel waited for David to come from the fields to participate in that illustrious moment, and to everyone's surprise, he was the one chosen by the Lord. There, far away, tending the flock, God knew David's heart and chose him to govern the people of Israel.

One of David's greatest feats, while he was still very young, was defeating the giant Goliath (1 Samuel 17). Every day, this valiant Philistine arrogantly taunted the Israelite army. But no soldier volunteered to face the fury of the towering warrior. Until David, determined to fight in defense of the honor of the armies of the living God, stepped forward to confront him.

David recognized that God had helped him defend the flock from dangerous animals. He also trusted that, in the same way, God would deliver him from the giant. Armed only with a sling and a stone, and trusting in the name of the Lord of Hosts, David struck Goliath. He sank a stone into his forehead and killed him. The Philistine army feared when they saw their greatest warrior struck down and fled before the army of Israel.

David's victory over Goliath gained fame and also attracted the jealousy of King Saul. Saul sought an opportunity to kill David. He recognized that he had been rejected by God and knew that David was favored by everyone and chosen by the Lord. Each day, he feared that David would take his place in the leadership of Israel, which consumed him terribly.

David formed a covenant with Jonathan, Saul's son. They became close friends and promised to always act with the Lord's kindness toward one another, despite Saul's evil intentions.

Twice, Saul tried to impale David with his spear while David played the harp for him. Many times, Saul summoned his army to capture and kill one of his greatest warriors. He was pursued by his own father-in-law and leader for a long time. Yet, despite this, David never sought to take Saul's life to assume the throne, even when he had many opportunities to do so.

David had numerous chances to harm King Saul but did not. He spared Saul twice, (1 Samuel 24:1-15 and 1 Samuel 26:1-20) demonstrating both generosity and a fear of God.

David had already been anointed as king, and each day he was being confirmed as the next king of Israel. Despite the persecution he suffered from Saul, he never attempted to kill his rival. David knew that the Lord would act. He did not need to take justice into his own hands, retaliating or seeking revenge against Saul.

Above these circumstances, David feared the Lord God. He also recognized that Saul had been anointed to reign. This meant that God had set him apart specifically to lead the people during that time. David knew how to wait for the right moment.

After the death of Saul and nearly all his sons in a bloody battle against the Philistines, the tribe of Judah established David as king. He reigned for 7 years only in Judah. After the death of Ishbosheth, Saul's son, David became king over all the territory of Israel.

David recognized that his position as king had been granted by God. This made him humble and confident in the Lord in everything he did. During his reign, David achieved great victories:

David captured Jerusalem from the Jebusites and made it the capital of Israel (2 Samuel 5:6-10). He brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem and rejoiced in God for it (2 Samuel 6:1-11). He achieved numerous military victories, leading to the expansion of the kingdom (2 Samuel 8). He also made preparations for the construction of the Lord's Temple (1 Chronicles 22).

However, David's reign was not marked solely by good events; terrible things also occurred:

• David committed adultery with Bathsheba.
• One sin led to another in the case of the betrayal and death of Uriah (2 Samuel 11).
• David was rebuked for his sin (2 Samuel 12).
• David's repentance is expressed in Psalm 51.
• The crime of Amnon, David's son, against his sister Tamar (2 Samuel 13:1-20).
• The rebellion of Absalom, David's son (2 Samuel 15-18).

David's Family

Great-Grandparents: Salmon and Rahab (Matthew 1:5)

Grandparents: Boaz and Ruth (Ruth 4:18-20)

Parents: Jesse and mother (name unknown)

Siblings: Eliab, his oldest brother; Abinadab, Shimea, Nathaniel, Radai, Ozem, and Elihu. Their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail (1 Chronicles 2:13-16, 27:18)

Wives: Michal (daughter of Saul), Ahinoam, Abigail (widow of Nabal), Maacah, Haggith, Abital, Eglah, Bathsheba (former wife of Uriah).

Children:

Born in Hebron: Amnon (son of Ahinoam), Chileab (son of Abigail), Absalom (son of Maacah), Adonijah (son of Haggith), Shephatiah (son of Abital), Ithream (son of Eglah) (2 Samuel 3:2-5);

Born in Jerusalem: Shimea, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Eliada, Elpelet, Nogah, and Eliphelet (2 Samuel 5:14-16; 1 Chronicles 14:4-7).

The Adultery of David with Bathsheba

This was a very sad episode in David's life. As we see in the Bible, David was wise, brave, and feared the Lord. He achieved great victories over his opponents and made Jerusalem the religious capital of the kingdom by bringing the Ark of the Covenant there.

However, like all human beings, David also had his failings: he committed adultery with Bathsheba, a married woman. After learning that she had become pregnant, he tried to cover up the affair. When that failed, he arranged for her husband, Uriah, to be killed.

This terrible act was not approved by God. David was confronted by the prophet Nathan and punished by the Lord with the death of the child. Nevertheless, David repented and turned back to the Lord. This attitude was evident in many of his psalms, particularly in Psalm 51. Because of this, and despite his shortcomings, he was called "a man after God's own heart."

The Psalmist David (the Prophet)

Of the 150 biblical Psalms, 73 are attributed to David. The most well-known is Psalm 23, in which David recognizes God as his shepherd, guide, and protector throughout his journey. In many Psalms, David expresses praise and prayers to the Lord.

In addition to these songs of worship, David also wrote messianic Psalms - those containing direct references to Christ (such as Psalms 22, 41, 55, 110, etc.). In this way, David is not only a musician, poet, and composer but also belongs to the list of biblical prophets. Psalm 22 serves as a powerful example of David's prophecies that were fulfilled in Jesus:

You can read a verse-by-verse explanation of Psalm 23.

David: A Man After God's Own Heart

David is referred to as "a man after God's own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14), a title that accompanied his journey and reputation. The key to understanding this lies in David's deep relationship and communion with God for much of his life.

Although his spiritual life was not always consistent, David played a crucial role in demonstrating how to be someone who pleases the Lord. Loving God above all else, and doing so wholeheartedly, captures this uniqueness. David made mistakes but repented and turned back to God. We believe that in Christ, there is forgiveness for every sinner.

Like him, we need to trust in the Lord, the "Son of David": the King of kings, Jesus Christ. He is perfect and serves as the ultimate example of how to fully please God's heart.

Summary of David's Story

David was a courageous and valiant shepherd boy who loved the Lord and deeply trusted in God. At a young age, he was taken from the pasture and anointed as the future king of Israel. David was destined for greatness, which began to attract the attention of many, including King Saul, who hired him as his personal musician.

While still young, David defeated bears, lions, and even the giant Goliath in the name of the Lord! However, despite this magnificent victory, David faced increasing challenges: along with his military success, Saul’s hatred and jealousy towards him also grew. Even the sweet melodies played on his harp could not calm the furious king. On one occasion, Saul threw a spear at David while he played to soothe him.

From army commander, David became the number one fugitive from King Saul. Nevertheless, he was being confirmed as the next king of Israel, receiving support and loyalty from several people, including Jonathan, his best friend, and Michal, his wife, both children of King Saul. Saul’s hatred only increased as he knew that God was transferring the throne from him to David.

After some time, following the death of Saul and his sons, David became king of Israel. With God's help, he achieved great victories: he brought back the Ark of the Covenant, which had been taken by enemies, and conquered the city of Jerusalem, making it the capital of the kingdom.

However, as expected, battles continued in his life: struggles with various personal and national enemies, but the worst battle David faced was within himself. Like all humans, David was subject to failure. Unfortunately, he succumbed to the temptation of abusing his power and engaging in immorality. His adultery with Bathsheba and the subsequent attempt to cover up her pregnancy, culminating in the murder of Uriah, were David's worst defeats.

Nevertheless, he deeply repented and turned back to God. David faced further challenges with his own children, but in everything, God was with him. At the end of his life, David prepared his son Solomon to be his successor and made all the arrangements for the construction of the Lord's Temple. David died after reigning over Israel for 40 years.

In the New Testament, Jesus is also known as the "Son of David," as his lineage traces back to David, this multifaceted and impressive figure from ancient times. David, even as one of the most well-known kings in the entire history of Israel, praised and believed that the King of kings, who would reign forever, Jesus Christ, would come.

Learn more about David:

• Genealogy of David: the lineage from Abraham to Jesus (Bible Study)
• The Lord is my Shepherd (Bible Study on Psalm 23)
• With God, we will not fear

Bible Characters Related to David:

• Solomon: King of Israel
• Rahab: A Woman of Faith and Courage