David, the second king of Israel, youngest son of Jesse, born in Bethlehem in Judah about 1085 B. C, died in Jerusalem about 1015. He was still tending the flecks of his father when he was chosen by the prophet Samuel as the future king. He was even then remarkable for beauty, valor, and musical skill, and was early brought to the court of Saul to soothe the melancholy of the king by his harp. Subsequently he challenged and slew the Philistine giant Goliath, and won the friendship of Saul's son Jonathan, the love of his daughter Michal, and the admiration of the people; but drew upon himself the jealousy, and finally the fury of the unhappy king, who repeatedly attempted to kill him. To this end he tempted him to services of extreme danger, by promising him his daughter in marriage as a reward; but David's success made him the king's son-in-law. Saul afterward openly tried to slay him, and he escaped only by the devotion of his wife and her brother, and the favor of Samuel and the priests. Learning from Jonathan that the king was resolved upon his death, he fled to the Philistines, and, not finding safety there, feigned madness, and adopted a life of outlawry in the fastnesses of southern Judah. Here he gathered a band of followers, and committing his aged parents to the king of Moab, on whom they had the claim that Jesse was the grandson of Ruth the Moabitess, he baffled every attempt of Saul to capture him, and even twice found opportunity of revenge, which he declined to take.

He returned at length to Philistia as chief of a powerful band, and remained until the death of Saul and Jonathan at the battle of Gilboa (about 1055). He was now acknowledged as king by his own tribe, and made Hebron his residence. Abner, the general of Saul, proclaimed Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, as the legal successor to the throne; but after seven years, finding David's power continually growing, he intrigued in favor of David. Abner was assassinated by Joab, and soon afterward Ishbosheth was assassinated by two 'obscure persons, and David, after having reigned in Hebron seven years, was acknowledged king by the whole nation. He now conquered the remnant of the heathen in the land, enlarged its border from the Euphrates to the Mediterranean, and from Damascus to the Arabian gulf, and established the military power of the kingdom. Having wrested Zion from the Jebusites, he fixed there his capital. The priests had suffered greatly because of their friendship for him during the reign of Saul, and he devoted himself now to perfecting the public worship. He brought the ark of God to Jerusalem, and organized the service of sacred song, surrounding himself with prophets and psalmists.

He intended building a temple, but was forbidden by the prophet Nathan because of the blood he had shed in war. The same prophet reprimanded him on account of the murder of Uriah, whose wife Bathsheba, taken by the king, subsequently became the mother of Solomon. David's old age was embittered by the consequences of polygamic disorder in his house, and the passions and ambition of his sons, and by revolts, conspiracies, and a dreadful pestilence. His son Absalom brought about an almost general insurrection, but was conquered and slain by Joab. Sheba, a Ben-jamite, raised the standard of rebellion, but was subdued by Amasa, the successor of Joab in command. A conspiracy of Adonijah, another son, was baffled by the proclamation of Solomon as heir and king. Shortly afterward the aged monarch died, having reigned over all Israel 33 years. - David founded the permanent dynasty of Hebrew kings. How many of the psalms he wrote is uncertain (see Psalms); but his lament over Saul and Jonathan alone proves him a poet of great beauty of thought and of rare power.

Though a man of strong passions, often ungoverned, he yet shines in Scripture as the model king of Israel.