Topical Bible: David: King of Israel: He Probably Writes, at This Time

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Topical Encyclopedia

David, the second king of Israel, is a central figure in the biblical narrative, renowned for his leadership, military prowess, and deep devotion to God. His life and reign are chronicled primarily in the books of 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, and 1 Chronicles. David's contributions to the spiritual and cultural heritage of Israel are immense, with his authorship of many psalms being a significant aspect of his legacy.

Background and Rise to Kingship

David was the youngest son of Jesse, a shepherd from Bethlehem. His early life was marked by his anointing by the prophet Samuel, who was directed by God to choose David as the future king of Israel (1 Samuel 16:1-13). Despite his humble beginnings, David's faith and courage were evident when he defeated Goliath, the Philistine giant, with a sling and a stone (1 Samuel 17:45-50). This victory catapulted him into national prominence and eventually led to his ascension to the throne.

David's Reign and Achievements

David's reign is characterized by the unification of the tribes of Israel and the establishment of Jerusalem as the political and spiritual center of the nation. He captured the city from the Jebusites and brought the Ark of the Covenant there, signifying God's presence among His people (2 Samuel 5:6-10; 6:12-15). Under David's leadership, Israel expanded its territory and secured peace from surrounding enemies.

David as a Psalmist

David is traditionally credited with composing many of the psalms found in the Book of Psalms. These poetic writings reflect a wide range of human emotions and experiences, from deep despair to exuberant praise. They reveal David's intimate relationship with God and his reliance on divine guidance and mercy. Notable psalms attributed to David include Psalm 23, which begins, "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want" (Psalm 23:1), and Psalm 51, a heartfelt plea for forgiveness following his sin with Bathsheba.

David's Spiritual Legacy

David's life was not without personal failings, including his adultery with Bathsheba and the subsequent murder of her husband, Uriah (2 Samuel 11). Despite these transgressions, David's repentance and God's forgiveness are pivotal themes in his account. His heartfelt contrition is captured in Psalm 51:10, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me" .

David's legacy is further solidified by God's covenant with him, promising that his descendants would rule Israel and that his throne would be established forever (2 Samuel 7:12-16). This covenant is seen as a precursor to the coming of Jesus Christ, who is often referred to as the "Son of David" in the New Testament, fulfilling the messianic promise.

Conclusion

David's life and writings continue to inspire and instruct believers. His psalms remain integral to worship and personal devotion, offering timeless expressions of faith, repentance, and hope. Through his life, David exemplifies the complexities of human nature and the boundless grace of God.

Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 5:1
Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.
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Psalm 7:1
O LORD my God, in you do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:
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Psalm 26:1
Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in my integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.
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Psalm 61:1
Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer.
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Psalm 63:1
O God, you are my God; early will I seek you: my soul thirsts for you, my flesh longs for you in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
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Psalm 69:1
Save me, O God; for the waters are come in to my soul.
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Psalm 70:1
MAKE HASTE, O GOD, TO DELIVER ME; MAKE HASTE TO HELP ME, O LORD.
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Psalm 86:1
Bow down your ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy.
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Psalm 143:1
Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in your faithfulness answer me, and in your righteousness.
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Library

The Gospel According to St. Matthew
... refer to one who is the expected King, that in ... The evangelist's reply is that David
himself was descended from ... the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (xv.24). ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter iii the gospel according.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

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

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

Introduction.
... and especially all mention of the house of David, which would ... look forward to the
re-gathering of Israel and the ... men; and there shall come a pure King to hold ...
//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

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 Value of this Doctrine
... none like unto the God of Jeshurun (Israel), who rideth ... the lips of David: "And the
king said unto ... shadows of the Old Testament dispensation David was content ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter twelve the value 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

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