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Person

David

Israel’s greatest king, the author of many psalms, and the ancestor of the promised Messiah.

Teaching slide on Samuel anointing David, the youngest son of Jesse, at Bethlehem, with 1 Samuel 16:7 and a summary.
Teaching slide. Scripture is quoted from the American Standard Version, a public-domain translation. The artwork is an illustrated reconstruction, not a photograph. Select the image to view it full size.
Teaching slide on David and Goliath in the Valley of Elah, with 1 Samuel 17:45, a note that manuscripts differ on Goliath’s height, and a summary.
Teaching slide. Scripture is quoted from the World English Bible, a public-domain translation. The artwork is an illustrated reconstruction, not a photograph. Select the image to view it full size.
Teaching slide on the men of Judah anointing David king at Hebron after Saul’s death, with 2 Samuel 2:4 and a summary.
Teaching slide. Scripture is quoted from the Berean Standard Bible, a public-domain translation. The artwork is an illustrated reconstruction, not a photograph. Select the image to view it full size.

What the sources say, and how sure we are

  • The text says

    David is anointed as a boy, defeats Goliath, serves and then flees Saul, rules Judah from Hebron, and then all Israel from Jerusalem. God promises him a lasting dynasty, and he sins with Bathsheba.1 Sam 16–17; 2 Sam 2:1–4; 2 Sam 5:1–10; 2 Sam 7; 2 Sam 11–12

  • Outside evidence

    The Tel Dan inscription from the 9th century BC refers to a “house of David,” the earliest reference to David outside the Bible. A similar reading has been proposed for the Mesha Stele, but is disputed.Tel Dan Stele; Mesha Stele

  • Debated

    Scholars disagree about the size of David’s kingdom and about how many of the psalms headed “of David” he wrote.Pss 3–41

  • Christian conclusion

    The New Testament presents Jesus as the son of David and the king whom David’s psalms foretold.Matt 1:1; Acts 2:29–36; Ps 110

Books

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