The Accomplishments Of King David

David (1049-973 B.C.) was the king of Judah and Israel, as well as the founder of the Judean dynasty. His life and accomplishments are contained in the Old Testament, in the Books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles. He was the youngest son of Jesse, a shepherd of Bethlehem, where he spent his youth, tending his father’s sheep.

He was known for his musical skill and could play the harp extremely well. He was also courageous, as exemplified by his victorious encounter with the Philistine giant, Goliath, because of which he was appointed as armor-bearer to Saul, who was king of Israel at the time.
His distinguished victories over the Philistines made him very popular among the people of Israel. Thereafter, in the wake of his victories, he married Michal, King Saul’s daughter. at which time, he won the friendship of Jonathan, Saul’s son. Because of his growing popularity, he incurred the wrath and enmity of Saul who banished him from the royal court.

David spent the next period of his life in exile. He joined a band of warriors, levying tribute on the landowners of Judah. He later entered the service of Achish, king of the Philistines, who rewarded him by making him a ruler of the town of Ziklag.

David returned to his native country after the death of Saul and his three eldest sons in battle with the Philistines. He became king of Hebron where he reigned for seven years, until about 1013 B.C., when he was anointed king of Israel by the prophet Samuel. Soon after ascending to the throne, he was involved in successive wars with the Philistines, Moabites, Arameans, Edomites and Ammonites whom he defeated, as a consequence of which, he firmly established Israel as an independent, national state, while successfully extending his dominions.

One of David’s principal conquests was the capture of the Jebusite stronghold of Zion, where he established the city of Jerusalem, often called the “City of David,” and where he constructed his palace and installed, under a tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant, making Jerusalem the religious and political center of the newly-formed Hebrew nation. During the siege of Rabat, the Ammonites capital, he committed adultery with Bathsheba, wife of Uriah, for whose death he was indirectly responsible. It was considered to be the major sin of his life, followed by recurring troubles with his children. His son Absalom was killed in the course of a rebellion against his father. Thereafter, he encountered additional family problems, particularly the dispute with his eldest son, Adonijah, after David selected Solomon, his son by Bathsheba, as his heir to the throne.

David was, not only a leader, but a valiant warrior, but he had many weaknesses for which he repented. One of his salient characteristics was his unfailing devotion to Jehovah. He is credited with authorship of the Psalms in which he expressed his implicit faith and trust in Jehovah.
consequence of which, he firmly established Israel as an independent, national state, while successfully extending his dominions.

One of David’s principal conquests was the capture of the Jebusite stronghold of Zion, where he established the city of Jerusalem, often called the “City of David,” and where he constructed his palace and installed, under a tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant, making Jerusalem the religious and political center of the newly-formed Hebrew nation. During the siege of Rabbath, the Ammonites capital, he committed adultery with Bathsheba, wife of Uriah, for whose death he was indirectly responsible. It was considered to be the major sin of his life, followed by recurring troubles with his children. His son Absalom was killed in the course of a rebellion against his father. Thereafter, he encountered additional family problems, particularly the dispute with his eldest son, Adonijah, after David selected Solomon, his son by Bathsheba, as his heir to the throne.

David was, not only a leader, but a valiant warrior, but he had many weaknesses for which he repented. One of his salient characteristics was his unfailing devotion to Jehovah. He is credited with authorship of the Psalms in which he expressed his implicit faith and trust in Jehovah.