#bible #1samuel #2Samuel #1kings #1chronicles # King David — Biblical Overview > [!NOTE]+ Table of Contents > [[#📜 When David Lived]] > [[#📖 Summary of His Life]] > [[#⚰️ How David Died]] > [[#⭐ Top 10 Interesting Facts]] > [[#🏺 Archaeological Evidence for David’s Existence]] > [[#📌 Theological Significance]] > [[#🔗 Related Notes]] > [[#📝 Key Verses]] > [[#📚 Recommended Study Resources]] ***David’s mother***. King David's mother, whose name isn't in the Bible but is traditionally called Nitzevet, was alive and well while David was fleeing Saul, as he sought protection for her and his father in Moab (1 Samuel 22:3-4). While the Bible is largely silent on her, rabbinic tradition portrays her as a faithful, quiet woman, possibly named Nitzevet, who faced hardship but supported David, though some modern fiction incorrectly depicts her death. ***David’s father***. Jesse. ***Was David born as an illegitimate son?*** Arguments about David's legitimacy: - **Jewish tradition and legend:** Some Jewish traditions suggest David's mother was separated from Jesse temporarily, leading to beliefs that Jesse did not father him legitimately. This is sometimes cited as the reason he was left tending sheep, and overlooked by his brothers. - **Biblical evidence:** The Old Testament identifies Jesse as David's father in Ruth 4:22. - **Psalm 51:5 interpretation:** David writes, "I was conceived in sin". Some interpret this as an admission of illegitimacy, while others argue it refers to original sin. - **Family disdain:** In Psalm 69:8, David refers to himself as a "foreigner to my own mother's sons". Some suggest this supports the idea that his brothers treated him as an outsider.  The biblical narrative does not state that David was illegitimate, but traditions often highlight his origins. [Link for more from GotQuestions](https://www.gotquestions.org/was-David-illegitimate.html). --- title: King David (Biblical Overview) type: Bible Character Study testament: Old Testament tribe: Judah reign: c. 1010–970 BC key_passages: - 1 Samuel 16–31 - 2 Samuel 1–24 - 1 Kings 1–2 - 1 Chronicles 11–29 tags: - bible - old-testament - king-david - messianic-line - leadership ## 📜 When David Lived - **Approximate Dates:** c. 1040–970 BC - **Reign:** - King over Judah: c. 1010–1003 BC - King over All Israel: c. 1003–970 BC - **Primary Sources:** 1 Samuel – 1 Kings; 1 Chronicles ## 📖 Summary of His Life David was the youngest son of Jesse from Bethlehem and worked as a shepherd in his youth. He was chosen by God and anointed by the prophet Samuel after Saul was rejected as king (1 Samuel 16). David became famous after defeating Goliath and quickly rose in popularity. He served in Saul’s court but was later forced to flee when Saul became jealous and sought his life. During this period, David developed strong faith and gathered loyal followers. After Saul’s death, David became king over Judah and later over all Israel. He united the tribes, established Jerusalem as the capital, and expanded Israel’s borders through military victories. David’s reign was marked by both faithfulness and failure. His sin with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah brought serious consequences, yet he repented deeply and was forgiven by God. In his later years, David prepared for the building of the Temple and passed leadership to Solomon. He is remembered as “a man after God’s own heart” who loved the Lord despite personal weakness. ## ⚰️ How David Died - Died in old age (around 70 years old) - Became physically weak in his final years (1 Kings 1:1) - Gave final instructions to Solomon (1 Kings 2:1–9) - Buried in Jerusalem, the City of David (1 Kings 2:10) > “Then David slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David.” — 1 Kings 2:10 (ESV) ## ⭐ Top 10 Interesting Facts 1. David was the youngest of eight sons of Jesse (1 Samuel 16:10–11). 2. He was a shepherd before becoming king. 3. He defeated Goliath with a sling and one stone (1 Samuel 17). 4. He played music to soothe King Saul (1 Samuel 16:23). 5. He wrote many of the Psalms. 6. He lived as a fugitive for years before becoming king. 7. God made a covenant promising his dynasty would endure (2 Samuel 7). 8. Psalm 51 records his repentance after his sin with Bathsheba. 9. He was a skilled military commander. 10. Jesus descended from David (Matthew 1:1). ## 🏺 Archaeological Evidence for David’s Existence ### 1. Tel Dan Stele (9th Century BC) - Discovered in northern Israel (1993–1994) - Written in Aramaic - Mentions the “House of David” (byt dwd) - Confirms David’s royal dynasty outside the Bible ### 2. Mesha Stele (Moabite Stone) - Discovered in Jordan (1868) - Dates to around 840 BC - Records conflicts between Moab and Israel - Likely references the House of David (debated among scholars) ### 3. City of David Excavations (Jerusalem) - Located south of the Temple Mount - Reveals fortifications and royal structures - Supports Jerusalem as a political capital in David’s era - Possibly connected to David’s palace (2 Samuel 5:11) ### 4. Khirbet Qeiyafa Inscription - Discovered in 2008 - Dates to around 1000 BC - Shows early Hebrew literacy - Supports existence of an organized kingdom in Judah ### 5. Dead Sea Scrolls - Dates: c. 200 BC – AD 70 - Contain Psalms and Samuel texts - Demonstrate early and careful preservation of David’s story ## 📌 Theological Significance - Example of God using imperfect people - Model of repentance and humility - Founder of the Messianic line - Forefather of Jesus Christ - Central figure in biblical kingship theology ## 🔗 Related Notes - [[Saul — First King of Israel]] - [[Solomon — Son of David]] - [[Davidic Covenant — 2 Samuel 7]] - [[Psalms — Authorship and Themes]] - [[Messianic Prophecies]] ## 📝 Key Verses > “The Lord looks on the heart.” — 1 Samuel 16:7 > “I have found in David… a man after my heart.” — Acts 13:22 > “The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David.” — Luke 1:32 ## 📚 Recommended Study Resources 1. Arnold, Bill T. *1 & 2 Samuel*. NIVAC. 2. Bergen, Robert D. *1, 2 Samuel*. NAC. 3. Longman, Tremper & Dillard, Raymond. *An Introduction to the Old Testament*. 4. Merrill, Eugene. *Kingdom of Priests*. 5. Schreiner, Thomas. *The King in His Beauty*.