David
The shepherd who defeated Goliath and became king of Israel.
At a glance
- Name
- David
- Type
- Person
- Period
- Old Testament
- Appears in
- 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 1 Chronicles, and the Psalms
- First appearance
- 1 Samuel 16
- Known for
- Defeating Goliath and reigning as king of Israel
Who is David?
David is the youngest son of Jesse and a shepherd from Bethlehem. The prophet Samuel anoints him while Saul is still king. As a young man he defeats the Philistine champion Goliath with a sling and a stone.
David serves in Saul's court but is forced to flee when Saul turns against him. After Saul's death he becomes king, unites Israel, and makes Jerusalem his capital.
David's reign includes serious failures, including his sin involving Bathsheba. Many of the psalms are attributed to him.
David in the Bible
Samuel anoints David
The prophet Samuel anoints the young shepherd David as the future king of Israel.
Read 1 Samuel 16 →David and Goliath
David defeats the Philistine giant Goliath with a sling and a stone.
Read 1 Samuel 17 →David becomes king over Israel
After Saul's death, David is made king over all Israel and takes Jerusalem.
Read 2 Samuel 5 →"The LORD is my shepherd"
Psalm 23, one of the best-known psalms, is attributed to David.
Read Psalm 23 →People connected with David
- father of Solomon Solomon, David's son, succeeds him as king.
Key passages featuring David
These are key passages, not a complete list of every appearance.