David d. c.970 BC, king of ancient Israel (c.1010-970 BC), successor of Saul . The Book of First Samuel introduces him as the youngest of eight sons who is anointed king by Samuel to replace Saul, who had been deemed a failure. The Goliath story underscores his divine election and leads to Saul's obsession with killing him. On the death of Saul and Jonathan in battle, David assumes the throne in Second Samuel. The assassination of a rival king, Ishbosheth, in the north allows David to be crowned king of a united kingdom.

With the capture of Jerusalem, David moves his capital there and plans the construction of a temple. Through prophetic mediation, however, God declares David's successor as the future builder, who will build a "house." God promises to establish the kingdom of his son as an everlasting kingdom. From this promise derives the later hope of a royal Messiah ( "anointed one" ) as an agent of God's establishment of an eschatological kingdom.

Second Samuel charts an era of decline beginning with David's adultery with Bath-sheba and the murder of her husband. Anarchy prevails among his children, leading to the revolt and usurpation of the throne by his son Absalom . David's son by Bath-sheba, Solomon , is nominated king and successor by David, though this was challenged by another son Adonijah . Nevertheless, David remains the model for subsequent monarchs of Israel.

David's musical skill became proverbial, and many psalms were attributed to him. Most of the narrative that recounts David's decline is omitted in the Book of Chronicles. The New Testament confesses Jesus as the "Christ" (Messiah) descended from David, and David is also attested in the Qur'an. Archaelogical excavations have failed, however, to find evidence that would confirm the existence of a powerful and unified Davidic kingdom.

Bibliography: See R. Alter, The David Story (1999); S. L. McKenzie, King David (2000)

David

Judaism

Second king of Israel. David was the youngest son of Jesse, grew up in Bethlehem and was said to be descended from Ruth. He defeated the Philistines, the Moabites, the Arameans, the Ammonites, and the Edomites, and he made his capital in Jerusalem. With the support of the religious establishment, the belief was fostered that God had chosen David and his descendants to rule over the Israelites forever (2 Samuel 7. 16), and he is traditionally believed to have written many of the Psalms. In the aggadah David is generally exalted as the great poet and scholar king. The unique status of the Davidic line of kingship is particularly emphasized. See also MESSIAH.

Islam

Dāwūd or Daʿūd, is one of the line of prophets, and listed as such in the Qurʾān (6. 84). He is given the zabūr, a book—representing the Psalms—which is mentioned elsewhere in the Qurʾān as one of the former scriptures.

David (d. c.962 bc) King of ancient Israel (c.1010–970 bc), successor of Saul. His career is related in the Old Testament books of Samuel. As king, he united Judah and Israel. David captured Jerusalem, making it his capital. The later part of his reign was marked by the revolts of his sons Absalom and Adonijah. David was succeeded by Solomon, his son by Bathsheba. According to the Jewish Prophets, the Messiah must be a descendant of David.