King living at the time of United Monarchy

David

1 Samuel 16:1–13; 2 Samuel 5:4; 1 Kings 2:10–11; 2 Samuel 2:1–4; 5:5; 2 Samuel 5–24; 1 Kings 1–2

The youngest son of Jesse of Bethlehem, a shepherd, anointed by Samuel when God told him, “man looks at the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:1–13). He killed the giant Goliath, saying, “I come to you in the name of Yahweh of Armies” (1 Samuel 17:45). He served Saul and became Jonathan’s friend and Michal’s husband, but Saul’s jealousy made him a fugitive for years (1 Samuel 18–27).

After Saul’s death he became king of Judah at Hebron and then of all Israel at Jerusalem, reigning forty years, seven and a half in Hebron and thirty-three in Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:1–5). He brought the ark to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6). God promised him that his house and throne would be established forever (2 Samuel 7:12–16). He was a man of deep faith and the author of many psalms, but he took Bathsheba and had her husband Uriah killed. When Nathan told him “You are the man!” he confessed, “I have sinned against Yahweh,” and was forgiven, though the sword never left his house (2 Samuel 11–12; Psalm 51). He died and was buried in the city of David (1 Kings 2:10–11).

God called him “a man after my heart” (Acts 13:22). The promise to David is fulfilled in Jesus, the son of David, whose kingdom has no end (Matthew 1:1; Luke 1:32–33).

Shepherd, psalm writer, and king; anointed by Samuel as a young man, king of Judah at 30 and of all Israel at 37. Reigned 40 years and died at 70 (2 Samuel 5:4–5).

Scripture’s verdict: Did what was right in Yahweh’s eyes (1 Kings 15:5).

King of Judah at Hebron before the other tribes accepted him.

Scripture's standard for later kings of Judah, who are measured against "David their father."

Family

Father

Jesse

Mother

Nahash

Wives

Michal, Abigail, Ahinoam, Maacah, Haggith, Abital, Eglah, Bathsheba, Jerusalem wives

Children

Amnon, Chileab, Absalom, Adonijah, Shephatiah, Ithream, Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Eliada, Eliphelet, Tamar, Elpelet, Nogah, Jerimoth

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