Topical Encyclopedia
David, the second king of Israel, is one of the most prominent figures in the Bible, known for his multifaceted role as a shepherd, warrior, king, and poet. His life and reign are chronicled in the books of 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, and 1 Chronicles. David's contributions to the Psalms highlight his deep relationship with God, his struggles, and his triumphs.
Early Life and AnointingDavid was the youngest son of Jesse, a Bethlehemite. He was anointed by the prophet Samuel while still a youth, chosen by God to succeed Saul as king of Israel (
1 Samuel 16:1-13). Despite his humble beginnings as a shepherd, David's heart was aligned with God's purposes, as noted in
1 Samuel 13:14, where he is described as "a man after [God's] own heart."
David and GoliathDavid's faith and courage were first publicly demonstrated in his battle against Goliath, the Philistine giant. Armed only with a sling and five smooth stones, David declared, "The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine" (
1 Samuel 17:37). His victory over Goliath marked the beginning of his rise to prominence in Israel.
Reign as KingDavid's reign as king is marked by both military conquests and spiritual leadership. He united the tribes of Israel and established Jerusalem as the political and spiritual capital. His desire to build a temple for the Lord was met with God's promise of an everlasting dynasty, known as the Davidic Covenant (
2 Samuel 7:12-16).
David's WritingsDavid is traditionally credited with composing many of the Psalms, which reflect his personal experiences and his relationship with God. These writings cover a range of themes, including worship, repentance, and trust in God's deliverance. For instance,
Psalm 23, one of the most beloved psalms, begins with the words, "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want" (
Psalm 23:1), illustrating David's reliance on God's guidance and provision.
Moral Failures and RepentanceDespite his devotion to God, David's life was not without sin. His adultery with Bathsheba and the subsequent murder of her husband, Uriah, are significant blemishes on his record (2 Samuel 11). However, David's response to his sin is noteworthy. In
Psalm 51, he pleads for mercy, saying, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me" (
Psalm 51:10). His genuine repentance and God's forgiveness are central themes in his account.
LegacyDavid's legacy is profound, as he is seen as a precursor to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who is often referred to as the "Son of David" (
Matthew 1:1). His life exemplifies the complexities of human nature, the consequences of sin, and the boundless grace of God. David's psalms continue to inspire and comfort believers, serving as a testament to his enduring faith and the divine inspiration behind his writings.
Nave's Topical Index
Psalm 15:1Lord, who shall abide in your tabernacle? who shall dwell in your holy hill?
Nave's Topical IndexPsalm 16:1
Preserve me, O God: for in you do I put my trust.
Nave's Topical Index
Psalm 24:1
The earth is the LORD's, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
Nave's Topical Index
Psalm 101:1
I will sing of mercy and judgment: to you, O LORD, will I sing.
Nave's Topical Index
Psalm 138:1
I will praise you with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise to you.
Nave's Topical Index
Library
Introduction.
... especially all mention of the house of David, which would ... look forward to the
re-gathering of Israel and the ... there is no further mention of this King, and the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/introduction.htm
The Earlier Hebrew Histories.
... splendid but corrupt reign of the son of David; the secession ... Hoshea began to reign
in Israel (2 Kings 15:30 ... in the twentieth year of Jotham the king of Judah. ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter iv the earlier hebrew.htm
Perseverance of Saints.
... 4:27: "And many lepers were in Israel in the ... It was not lawful for David, nor for
his companions to ... kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture li perseverance of saints.htm
Palestine Eighteen Centuries Ago
... it was during the reign of King David, when the ... the title of ethnarch instead of
king, promising him ... by way of accommodation, to preserve Israel from lapsing ...
/.../sketches of jewish social life/chapter 1 palestine eighteen centuries.htm
The Jewish Institutions and Laws of Far Higher Antiquity than the ...
... "For," it is said, [2094] "from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from
David to the ... 2055] By a strange mistake Hosea king of Israel is reckoned ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xxi the jewish institutions and.htm
Book 1 Footnotes:
... and should be among them an eternal king." Nor is ... the son of Abraham, the son of
David, etc., which ... century, in Egypt and elsewhere, interpreted Israel to be a ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 1 footnotes .htm
The Evening of the Third Day in Passion-Week - on the Mount of ...
... while the second, the Son of David, would carry ... thus instituted, the Messiah would
be King, [5450] [5451 ... of them, have again and again roused Israel during the ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vi the evening of.htm
The Old Testament and Modern Criticism
... In the Epistle to the Hebrews,[21] a psalm is referred to as "David," which is not
even by the title assigned to the great king of Israel.[22] Might it ...
/.../the christian view of the old testament/chapter iii the old testament.htm
Interpretation of Prophecy.
... from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the ... of the earth, unto Jerusalem to worship
the King, the Lord ... forth, where the great Antitype of David reigns, that ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxviii interpretation of prophecy.htm
Political and Religious Life of the Jewish Dispersion in the West ...
... Father of all the Children of Jacob, and King upon Mount ... the Temple was in the
estimation of Israel, and what ... of two Messiahs - one the Son of David, the other ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vi political and religious.htm
Resources
Who was David in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgDid David rape Bathsheba? | GotQuestions.orgWhy was God so angry at David for taking the census? | GotQuestions.orgDavid: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
