David facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Davidדָּוִד |
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|---|---|
King David Playing the Harp (1622)
by Gerard van Honthorst |
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| King of Israel | |
| Predecessor | Ish-bosheth |
| Successor | Solomon |
| Consort | |
| Issue | |
| House | House of David |
| Father | Jesse |
| Mother | Nitzevet (Talmud) |
David (Biblical Hebrew: דָּוִד, romanized: Dāwīḏ, meaning "beloved one") was an important king in ancient Israel. According to the Hebrew Bible, he was the third king of the United Kingdom of Israel. Many historians believe David lived around 1000 BCE. Most of what we know about him comes from the Bible.
Ancient stone writings, like the Tel Dan stele, mention the "House of David." This suggests that a royal family line called "House of David" existed. This stone was made by a king from Damascus in the late 800s or early 700s BCE. Another stone, the Mesha stele, might also mention the "House of David," but this is still debated by experts.
In the Bible, David is first shown as a young shepherd and a talented harp player. He becomes famous after bravely defeating the giant warrior Goliath. David then becomes a favorite of Saul, who was the first king of Israel. However, Saul becomes worried that David wants his throne, so David has to hide.
After Saul and his son Jonathan die in battle, David becomes king. First, he rules over the tribe of Judah, and then over all the tribes of Israel. He captures Jerusalem and makes it the capital of a united Israel. He also brings the Ark of the Covenant to the city. Later in his life, David faces challenges, including a rebellion led by his son Absalom. David eventually returns to Jerusalem and continues his rule. He wants to build a special temple for God, but he is told that one of his sons will build it instead. David dies at age 70 and chooses his son Solomon to be the next king. David is remembered as a great king and is important in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions. Many psalms (religious songs or poems) are also linked to him.
Contents
David's Story in the Bible
His Family and Early Life
The Bible says that David was the youngest of eight sons of Jesse, who lived in Bethlehem. David also had at least two sisters, Zeruiah and Abigail. His mother's name is not in the Bible, but some Jewish writings call her Nitzevet. The Bible also says that David was the great-grandson of Ruth.
David made important connections through marriage. King Saul offered David his daughter Merab, but David politely said no. Then, Saul gave his younger daughter Michal to David because she loved him. Later, David took more wives in Hebron, including Ahinoam and Abigail.
David had many children. In Hebron, he had six sons, including Amnon and Absalom. With Bathsheba, he had sons like Nathan and Solomon. He had even more sons born in Jerusalem from his other wives.
David Becomes King
The Bible tells us that God was upset with King Saul. So, God sent the prophet Samuel to anoint David, a young shepherd, to be the next king. This meant David was chosen by God.
David was known for his musical talent. When King Saul was troubled by an evil spirit, his servants suggested David. David played the lyre (a type of harp) to calm the king. David also became one of Saul's armor-bearers.
David and Goliath
A war started between Israel and the Philistines. A huge Philistine warrior named Goliath challenged the Israelites to a one-on-one fight. David, who was bringing food to his brothers in Saul's army, said he could defeat Goliath. He refused Saul's armor and instead used his sling to kill Goliath. This made David very famous.
Saul put David in charge of his army. Everyone in Israel loved David, but his popularity made Saul afraid. Saul even tried to kill David, but David escaped. Saul's son Jonathan, who was a close friend of David, warned him about his father's plans.
David had to flee and hide in different places. He went to Nob, then to Gath, and later to the cave of Adullam. His family joined him there. He also sought safety with the king of Moab and fought against the Philistines in Keilah. Saul continued to chase David, but David always managed to escape.
David and Jonathan
Jonathan met David again and promised to always be loyal to him, knowing David would be the next king. Later, David had a chance to kill Saul but chose not to. He showed Saul that he meant no harm, and Saul realized his mistake.
David eventually found safety with Achish, the Philistine king of Gath. From there, David led raids against other groups, making Achish believe he was attacking the Israelites.
David Becomes King of All Israel
After Saul and Jonathan died in battle, David was made king over the tribe of Judah. In the north, Saul's son Ish-Bosheth became king of Israel. A war followed until Ish-Bosheth was killed.
With Ish-Bosheth gone, the leaders of Israel came to Hebron and made David king over all of Israel. He captured Jerusalem, which was a strong city at the time, and made it his capital. He brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. David wanted to build a temple for God, but the prophet Nathan told him that one of his sons would build it instead. Nathan also said that God would make David's family line last forever.
David won many battles against other groups like the Philistines and Moabites. This made him even more famous and respected.
Challenges and Absalom's Rebellion
While David was in Jerusalem during a battle, he saw a woman named Bathsheba. David made a serious mistake that led to her husband, Uriah the Hittite, dying in battle. David then married Bathsheba. The prophet Nathan told David that God knew about his actions. David admitted his mistake and was forgiven, but the child born to him and Bathsheba died.
Later, David's son Absalom rebelled against him. Absalom wanted to take his father's throne. David had to flee Jerusalem. With the help of a loyal friend, David's forces defeated Absalom's army. Absalom was killed during the battle, even though David had asked his soldiers not to harm him. David was very sad about Absalom's death. His army commander, Joab, convinced him to stop grieving and return to his duties as king. David then returned to Jerusalem.
David's Final Days
When David grew old and weak, his oldest living son, Adonijah, tried to become king. But David had promised that Solomon, his son with Bathsheba, would be the next king. Bathsheba and Nathan reminded David of his promise, and Solomon was crowned king. Adonijah's attempt to take the throne failed. David died at 70 years old, after ruling for 40 years. Before he died, he advised Solomon to follow God's ways.
Psalms and David
The Bible says David was a skilled harp player and a "sweet psalmist." Many Psalms (songs or poems in the Bible) are titled "A Psalm of David." Some traditions connect these psalms to specific events in David's life. However, these titles were added later, and we cannot be completely sure which psalms David wrote himself.
Historical Evidence
Archaeological Discoveries
The Tel Dan Stele was found in 1993. It is an ancient stone with writing on it, set up by a king from Damascus. It talks about the king's victory over two enemy kings. The stone includes the words "House of David." Most experts believe this refers to a royal family from the Kingdom of Judah that came from a founder named David.
Another ancient stone, the Mesha Stele from Moab, might also mention the "House of David." This stone is from the 800s BCE. Some scholars think the words "House of David" are at the end of one line, but others disagree. Newer images of the stone have led to different ideas about what it says.
A Bible scholar named Kenneth Kitchen also suggests that David's name might appear in a relief (a type of sculpture) made by an Egyptian pharaoh named Shoshenq I. This relief describes Shoshenq's raids in Palestine around 925 BCE. Kitchen thinks one place mentioned could be "Heights of David," which was in an area where David hid from Saul. However, this relief is damaged, so the interpretation is not certain.
David in Art and Stories
Books and Stories
David's story has inspired many books and poems over the centuries. Some famous examples include:
- 1517 The Davidiad by Marko Marulić, an epic poem.
- 1681–82 Dryden's poem Absalom and Achitophel, which uses David's story to talk about politics.
- 1893 Sir Arthur Conan Doyle might have used parts of David's story in his Sherlock Holmes tale The Adventure of the Crooked Man.
- 1936 William Faulkner's Absalom, Absalom! refers to David's son Absalom.
- 1946 Gladys Schmitt wrote a detailed novel about David's life called David the King.
- 1984 Joseph Heller wrote God Knows, a novel told from the perspective of an older David.
- 2015 Geraldine Brooks wrote The Secret Chord, a novel about King David told by the prophet Nathan.
Paintings
Many famous artists have painted scenes from David's life:
- 1599 Caravaggio painted David and Goliath.
- 1616 Peter Paul Rubens painted David Slaying Goliath.
Sculptures
David has also been a popular subject for sculptors:
- 1440? Donatello created his famous David sculpture.
- 1501–1504 Michelangelo sculpted his iconic David.
- 1623–1624 Gian Lorenzo Bernini created his dynamic David sculpture.
Movies
David's story has been told in several films:
- 1951 David and Bathsheba, with Gregory Peck as David.
- 1985 King David, starring Richard Gere as King David.
- 1996 Dave and the Giant Pickle, a fun animated version.
Television Shows
- 1976 The Story of David, a TV movie.
- 1997 David, another TV film.
- 2009 Kings, a modern show loosely based on David's story.
- 2013 Langley Kirkwood played King David in the miniseries The Bible.
Music
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David's story has inspired many musical works:
- 1738 George Frideric Handel's oratorio Saul features David as a main character.
- 1921 Arthur Honegger's oratorio Le Roi David is a well-known choral piece.
- 1984 Leonard Cohen's famous song "Hallelujah" includes references to David and Bathsheba.
- 1991 "Mad About You" by Sting explores David's feelings for Bathsheba.
Musical Theater
- 1997 King David, a modern musical oratorio by Tim Rice and Alan Menken.
Playing Cards
For a long time, from the 1400s to the 1800s, French playing card makers named the court cards after historical figures. The King of spades was often called "David."
Images for kids
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Rembrandt, c. 1650: Saul and David.
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Mural of King David from an 18th-century sukkah (Jewish Museum of Franconia).
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Miniature from the Paris Psalter: David in the robes of a Byzantine emperor.
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Matteo Rosselli The triumphant David.
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King David playing the harp, ceiling fresco from Monheim Town Hall, home of a wealthy Jewish merchant.
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King David, stained glass windows from the Romanesque Augsburg Cathedral, late 11th century.
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Study of King David, by Julia Margaret Cameron. Depicts Sir Henry Taylor, 1866.
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The Ark is brought to Jerusalem (1896 Bible card illustration by the Providence Lithograph Company)
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Arnold Zadikow, 1930: The Young David displayed in the entrance of Berlin's Jewish Museum from 1933 until its loss during the Second World War.
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King David Monument on Mount Zion
See also
In Spanish: David para niños
- Star of David
- David and Jonathan
- David's Mighty Warriors
- David's Tomb
- City of David
- Tower of David
- Kings of Israel and Judah
