Lexical Summary David: David Original Word: דָּוִד Strong's Exhaustive Concordance David Rarely (fully); Daviyd {daw-veed'}; from the same as dowd; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse -- David. see HEBREW dowd NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as dod Definition perhaps "beloved one," a son of Jesse NASB Translation David (941), David's (55). Brown-Driver-Briggs דָּוִד, דָּוִיד1066 proper name, masculine David, son of יִשַׂי, king of Israel, whose dynasty remained on the throne of Jerusalem till the Babylonian exile (compare 2 Samuel 7:11-15 etc.) (beloved one ? compare BaNB 189; according to SayceModern Rev. 1884, 158 ff.; Rel. Babylonian 53, 56 f. originally Dodo, title of sun-god worshipped in Israel compare דודה name of divinity among east Jordan Israelites MI12) — דָּוִד always Ruth, Samuel, Kings (except 1 Kings 3:14; 1 Kings 11:4,36) Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Isaiah, Jeremiah; also 1 Chronicles 13:6; Ezekiel 34:24; Ezekiel 37:24,25 (c. 790 t.); דָּוִיד always Zechariah, Chronicles (except 1 Chronicles 13:6), Ezra, Nehemiah; also Amos 6:5 (where gloss according to PetersHebraica. Apr. 1886, p. 175) Amos 9:11; Hosea 3:5; Ezekiel 34:23; 1 Kings 3:14; 1 Kings 11:4,36; Songs 4:4 (c. 276 t.); — first named 1 Samuel 16:13; compare also Ruth 4:17,22; 2 Samuel 1:1 +, 1 Kings 1:1 +, 1 Kings 2:1 +, etc. (see above); in titles of Psalm 3-9, 11-32, 34-41, 51-65, 68-70, 86, 101, 103, 108-110, 122, 124, 131, 133, 138-145 (73 in all); also in Psalm 18:51 (= 2 Samuel 22:51); 2Sam 72:20; 2Sam 89:36; 2Sam 89:50; 2Sam 122:5; 2Sam 132:1132:11; 132:17; עַבְדִּי ׳ד (׳י speaks) 2 Samuel 3:18; 2 Samuel 7:5,8 = 1 Chronicles 17:4,7 compare 1 Chronicles 17:26 = 1 Chronicles 17:24, also 1 Kings 8:24,25,26,66 2Chron 6:15; 6:16; 6:17; 6:42, 1 Kings 11:13; 1 Kings 11:32; 1 Kings 11:34; 1 Kings 11:36; 1 Kings 11:38; 1 Kings 14:8; 2 Kings 8:19; 2 Kings 19:34 = Isaiah 37:35; 2 Kings 20:6; compare further Psalm 18:1; Psalm 36:1 (both titles compare above) Psalm 78:70; Psalm 89:4; Psalm 89:21; Psalm 132:10; Psalm 144:10; Jeremiah 33:21,22,26; so also as represented in coming (Messianic) ruler Ezekiel 34:23,24; Ezekiel 37:24,25, compare Hosea 3:5; Jeremiah 30:9 (see עֶבֶד). Phrases are: a. ׳עִיר ד (according to SayceMod.Rev.l.c. originally city of god Dod [o]) = stronghold or citadel of Zion, 2 Samuel 5:7,9 = 1 Chronicles 11:5,7; 2 Samuel 6:10,12,16 = 1 Chronicles 13:13; 1 Chronicles 15:1,29, compare Isaiah 22:9; especially of burial of kings 1 Kings 2:10; 1 Kings 3:1; 1 Kings 8:1 2Chronicles 5:2; 1 Kings 9:24 2Chronicles 8:11; 1 Kings 11:27 1 Kings 11:43 2Chronicles 9:31; 1 Kings 14:13; 1 Kings 15:8 2Chronicles 12:16; 2 Chronicles 13:23; 1 Kings 15:24 2Chronicles 9:31; 1 Kings 14:31; 1 Kings 15:8 2Chronicles 12:16; 2 Chronicles 13:23; 1 Kings 15:24 2Chronicles 16:14; 1 Kings 22:50 2Chronicles 21:1; 2 Kings 8:24 2Chronicles 21:20; 2 Kings 9:28; 2 Kings 12:22 2Chronicles 24:25; 2 Kings 14:20; 2 Kings 15:7, 2 Kings 15:38 2Chronicles 27:9; 2 Kings 16:20; burial of Jehoiada 2Chronicles 24:16; further 2 Chronicles 32:5,30; 33:14; Nehemiah 12:37; compare also ׳קִרְיַת חָנָה ד Isaiah 29:1. b. ׳בֵּית ד 2 Samuel 3:1,6 + (compare בַּיִת 5c. c. ׳אֹהֶל ד Isaiah 16:5 (compare אֹהֶל 2). d. ׳סֻכַּת ד Amos 9:11 (compare סֻכָּה below סכך). e. ׳כִּסֵּא ד 2 Samuel 3:10 compare 1 Kings 1:37; 1 Kings 2:12,24,45; Isaiah 9:6; Jeremiah 17:25; Jeremiah 22:2,30; Jeremiah 29:16; Jeremiah 36:30; compare Jeremiah 13:13; Jeremiah 22:4, (compare also כִּסֵּא). f. ׳קִבְרֵי ד Nehemiah 3:16 compare 2 Chronicles 32:33 ׳קִבְרֵי בְנֵידֿ (compare קֶבֶר). g. ׳מִגְדַּל ד Songs 4:4. h. אישׁ האלהים ׳כְּלֵישִֿׁיר ד Nehemiah 12:36. i. ׳אֱלֹהֵי ד 2 Kings 20:5 + (compare אֱלֹהִים 4b). j. ׳חַסְדֵי ד2Chronicles 6:42; Isaiah 55:3 (compare 2 Samuel 7:15; 1 Kings 3:6; Psalm 89:50; 2Chronicles 1:8 etc.). — (On text note the following: — דָּוִד 1 Samuel 30:20a strike out ᵐ5 ᵑ7 We Dr; 2 Samuel 3:5 read probably name of a former husband of Eglah We Dr; 2 Samuel 13:39 read רוּחַ Wep.223 Dr; 2 Samuel 19:44 read בְּכוֺר (for בדוד) ᵐ5 The We Dr; insert דָּוִד 2 Samuel 9:11; 2 Samuel 15:32 & 2 Samuel 24:15 ᵐ5 We Dr; in 1 Chronicles 18:12; Psalm 60:1 אבשׁי & יואב are less original than דָּוִד 2 Samuel 8:13 We Dr). Topical Lexicon Overview David, son of Jesse of Bethlehem, stands as the divinely chosen shepherd-king through whom the LORD forged an everlasting covenant, unified Israel’s tribes, secured Jerusalem, and inspired a liturgical and prophetic legacy that permeates all of Scripture. His name appears roughly 1,075 times, spanning narrative, poetry, prophecy, and post-exilic reflection, making him the most frequently cited human figure in the Old Testament. Historical Background and Early Life Born into the tribe of Judah, David was the youngest of eight sons (1 Samuel 16:10-11). His ancestry, traced in Ruth 4:18-22, anchors him within the messianic line promised since Genesis 49:10. As a youth he tended his father’s flock, developing faith, courage, and musical gifts that later shaped Israel’s worship. Anointing and Service under Saul Rejected King Saul still sat on Israel’s throne when the prophet Samuel secretly anointed David: “The Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward” (1 Samuel 16:13). Summoned to court as a harpist and armor-bearer (1 Samuel 16:21-23), David learned statecraft even while Saul’s envy brewed. Victory over Goliath The confrontation recorded in 1 Samuel 17 showcases David’s zeal for God’s honor: “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts” (1 Samuel 17:45). The Philistine threat was shattered, and Israel recognized divine favor on David. Covenant Friendships and Family Jonathan, Saul’s son, made covenant with David (1 Samuel 18:3-4), modeling loyal love (Hebrew ḥesed) amid political tension. David’s marriage alliances—Michal, Abigail, Bathsheba, and others—wove tribal bonds and produced heirs, notably Solomon (2 Samuel 12:24). Exile and Formation of the Mighty Men Saul’s animosity forced David into years of wilderness flight (1 Samuel 19–31). During exile he attracted “the distressed, indebted, and discontented” (1 Samuel 22:2), forging the core of his thirty mighty men (2 Samuel 23:8-39) whose feats mirror David’s own faith and valor. Ascension to the Throne After Saul’s death, Judah crowned David in Hebron (2 Samuel 2:4). Seven-and-a-half years later all Israel affirmed him: “You were the one who led Israel out and brought them in” (2 Samuel 5:2). His reign totaled forty years (1 Kings 2:11). Military Campaigns and Territorial Expansion David subdued Philistines, Moabites, Arameans, Edomites, and Ammonites (2 Samuel 8–12), extending Israel’s borders “from the Euphrates River to the border of Egypt” (1 Kings 4:21). The victories fulfilled earlier promises (Genesis 15:18) and prepared a peaceful platform for Solomon’s temple. Establishment of Jerusalem and Liturgical Reforms Capturing the Jebusite stronghold, David renamed it the City of David (2 Samuel 5:6-9) and relocated the ark of the covenant there (2 Samuel 6). He organized Levitical choirs, gatekeepers, and instrumentalists (1 Chronicles 15-16; 23-26), embedding musical worship into Israel’s life. His psalms shaped corporate prayer and personal devotion. The Davidic Covenant Through Nathan, God promised: “Your house and kingdom will endure forever before Me, and your throne will be established forever” (2 Samuel 7:16). This oath anchored messianic hope, culminating in the New Testament identification of Jesus as “the Son of David” (Matthew 1:1; Luke 1:32). Psalms and Worship Leadership Seventy-three psalms bear Davidic headings; others allude to him. Themes include trust (Psalm 23), thanksgiving (Psalm 30), repentance (Psalm 51), and royal-messianic prophecy (Psalm 110). David’s musical mandate is later echoed in temple and synagogue life and in New Testament exhortations (Ephesians 5:19). Personal Failings, Divine Discipline, and Restoration David’s adultery with Bathsheba and the arranged death of Uriah (2 Samuel 11) triggered prophetic rebuke and familial turmoil. Nevertheless, his penitent cry, “Create in me a clean heart, O God” (Psalm 51:10), models genuine contrition. God’s mercy preserved the covenant while chastening the king, seen in Absalom’s revolt and the plague following his ill-advised census (2 Samuel 24). Succession and Final Acts In his twilight, David secured Solomon’s succession (1 Kings 1-2), charged him to walk in the LORD’s statutes, amassed materials for the temple (1 Chronicles 22), and composed the last words recorded in 2 Samuel 23:1-7, affirming God’s righteous rule. Typological and Messianic Significance David typifies the coming Anointed One. Prophets apply his name to the future shepherd-king (Jeremiah 30:9; Ezekiel 34:23-24; Hosea 3:5). Psalm 110’s exalted portrait is interpreted messianically by Jesus Himself (Matthew 22:41-45). Thus, David’s account foreshadows Christ’s humble origins, Spirit anointing, covenant kingship, sufferings, victories, and eternal throne. David in Prophetic Literature Isaiah invokes “the sure mercies of David” (Isaiah 55:3), and Amos foresees the “rebuilt tabernacle of David” (Amos 9:11). These texts anticipate restoration and inclusion of the nations, a theme the Jerusalem Council cites in Acts 15:16-17. David in the New Testament Canon David’s name punctuates the Gospels, Acts, Epistles, and Revelation. Peter calls him a prophet whose tomb remained (Acts 2:29-31). Paul proclaims: “After removing Saul, He raised up David as their king… ‘a man after My own heart’ ” (Acts 13:22). Jesus is repeatedly hailed “Son of David,” affirming messianic identity (Matthew 20:30; Romans 1:3; Revelation 22:16). Usage Statistics and Literary Distribution Approximately 580 occurrences appear in Samuel–Kings, 280 in Chronicles, 75 in Psalms headings, with the remainder scattered across Ruth, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Amos, Zechariah, and post-exilic books. The frequency underscores his central narrative and theological role. Relevant Themes for Theology and Devotion 1. God’s sovereignty in raising the humble. See Also • Jesse (Strong’s Hebrew 3448) Forms and Transliterations בְּדָוִ֑ד בְּדָוִ֔ד בְּדָוִ֔יד בְּדָוִ֖ד בְּדָוִ֗ד בְּדָוִ֜ד בְּדָוִ֜יד בְּדָוִ֣ד בְּדָוִד֙ בְּדָוִד֮ בְדָוִ֖ד בְדָוִ֗ד בדוד בדויד דָ֝וִ֗ד דָ֠וִד דָּ֝וִ֗ד דָּ֠וִד דָּ֠וִיד דָּֽוִיד־ דָּוִ֑ד דָּוִ֑יד דָּוִ֔ד דָּוִ֔יד דָּוִ֖ד דָּוִ֖יד דָּוִ֗ד דָּוִ֗יד דָּוִ֛ד דָּוִ֛יד דָּוִ֜ד דָּוִ֜יד דָּוִ֡ד דָּוִ֡יד דָּוִ֣ד דָּוִ֣יד דָּוִ֤ד דָּוִ֤יד דָּוִ֥ד דָּוִ֥יד דָּוִ֧ד דָּוִ֧יד דָּוִ֨ד דָּוִ֨יד דָּוִֽד׃ דָּוִֽיד׃ דָּוִד֒ דָּוִד֙ דָּוִד֩ דָּוִד֮ דָּוִיד֒ דָּוִיד֙ דָּוִיד֩ דָּוִיד֮ דָוִ֑ד דָוִ֑יד דָוִ֔ד דָוִ֔יד דָוִ֖ד דָוִ֖יד דָוִ֗ד דָוִ֗יד דָוִ֛ד דָוִ֛יד דָוִ֜ד דָוִ֜יד דָוִ֣ד דָוִ֤ד דָוִ֤יד דָוִ֥ד דָוִ֥יד דָוִ֧ד דָוִ֨ד דָוִֽד׃ דָוִֽיד׃ דָוִד֙ דָוִיד֒ דָוִיד֙ דָויִ֔ד דוד דוד׃ דויד דויד־ דויד׃ וְדָוִ֑ד וְדָוִ֔ד וְדָוִ֕ד וְדָוִ֖ד וְדָוִ֖יד וְדָוִ֗ד וְדָוִ֛ד וְדָוִ֞יד וְדָוִ֡ד וְדָוִ֣ד וְדָוִ֣ד ׀ וְדָוִ֣יד וְדָוִ֥ד וְדָוִ֥יד וְדָוִ֧ד וְדָוִ֨ד וְדָוִד֙ וְדָוִד֩ וְדָוִיד֙ וַיֵּצֵ֣א וּלְדָוִ֡ד ודוד ודויד ויצא ולדוד כְּדָוִ֑יד כְּדָוִ֕יד כְּדָוִ֖ד כְּדָוִ֣ד כְּדָוִ֥ד כְּדָוִ֥יד כדוד כדויד לְ֝דָוִ֗ד לְדָ֫וִ֥ד לְדָֽוִיד־ לְדָוִ֑ד לְדָוִ֑יד לְדָוִ֔ד לְדָוִ֔יד לְדָוִ֖ד לְדָוִ֖יד לְדָוִ֗ד לְדָוִ֗יד לְדָוִ֛ד לְדָוִ֛יד לְדָוִ֜ד לְדָוִ֡ד לְדָוִ֣ד לְדָוִ֣יד לְדָוִ֤ד לְדָוִ֤יד לְדָוִ֥ד לְדָוִ֨ד לְדָוִ֨ד ׀ לְדָוִ֨יד לְדָוִ֪ד לְדָוִֽד׃ לְדָוִֽיד׃ לְדָוִד֙ לדוד לדוד׃ לדויד לדויד־ לדויד׃ עִם־ עם־ ‘im- bə·ḏā·wiḏ bə·ḏā·wîḏ ḇə·ḏā·wiḏ bedaVid bəḏāwiḏ bəḏāwîḏ ḇəḏāwiḏ ḏā·w·yiḏ dā·wiḏ dā·wîḏ ḏā·wiḏ ḏā·wîḏ dā·wîḏ- daVid dāwiḏ dāwîḏ ḏāwiḏ ḏāwîḏ dāwîḏ- ḏāwyiḏ doYid im kə·ḏā·wiḏ kə·ḏā·wîḏ kedaVid kəḏāwiḏ kəḏāwîḏ lə·ḏā·wiḏ lə·ḏā·wîḏ lə·ḏā·wîḏ- ledaVid ləḏāwiḏ ləḏāwîḏ ləḏāwîḏ- ū·lə·ḏā·wiḏ uledaVid ūləḏāwiḏ vaiyeTze vedaVid way·yê·ṣê wayyêṣê wə·ḏā·wiḏ wə·ḏā·wîḏ wəḏāwiḏ wəḏāwîḏLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ruth 4:17 HEB: יִשַׁ֖י אֲבִ֥י דָוִֽד׃ פ NAS: of Jesse, the father of David. KJV: of Jesse, the father of David. INT: of Jesse the father of David Ruth 4:22 1 Samuel 16:13 1 Samuel 16:19 1 Samuel 16:20 1 Samuel 16:21 1 Samuel 16:22 1 Samuel 16:23 1 Samuel 17:12 1 Samuel 17:14 1 Samuel 17:15 1 Samuel 17:17 1 Samuel 17:20 1 Samuel 17:22 1 Samuel 17:23 1 Samuel 17:26 1 Samuel 17:28 1 Samuel 17:29 1 Samuel 17:31 1 Samuel 17:32 1 Samuel 17:33 1 Samuel 17:34 1 Samuel 17:37 1 Samuel 17:37 1 Samuel 17:38 1075 Occurrences |
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