"David was born in 1040 B.C. (2 Sam 5:4), the youngest son of Jesse of Bethlehem (1 Sam 16:10-11), and developed in strength, courage, and attractiveness while caring for his father's sheep (16:12; 17:34-36). Samuel anointed him as king, and God's Spirit came upon David from that time on (16:13). Saul, meanwhile, summoned David to periodic appearances at court to soothe his own troubled mind by skillful harp-playing (16:18; 17:15). While still in his teens, David gained national renown and the friendship of Saul's son Jonathan (18:1-3; cf. 20:12-16; 23:16-17) through his victory over Goliath (17:45-47). Saul's growing jealousy and four insidious attempts on David's life served only to increase the latter's popularity (cf. 18:13-16, 27). At length, urged on by David's rivals (cf. Ps 59:12), Saul openly sought his destruction; and though frustrated by Samuel and the priests at Nob, he did succeed in driving David into exile (1 Sam 19:11; 21:10).
"David fled to Philistine Gath and then to Adullum (1 Sam 21:12; Pss 34:6-8; 56:3; 142:6). On three occasions Saul attempted to seize David (1 Sam 23; 24; 26; Pss 7:4; 54:3; 57:6). Near the end of 1012 B.C., however (1 Sam 27:7), David in despair sought asylum in Gath, feigning vassalage (27:8-28:25). After Saul's death at Mt. Gilboa in 1010 B.C. David's forces advanced inland to Hebron, where he was declared king over Judah (2 Sam 2:1-4). In 1005 B.C. Saul's general, Abner, enthroned Ish-Bosheth, a son of Saul. Only after the death of Ish-Bosheth (ch. 4) did all Israel acclaim David king in 1003 (5:1-5; 1 Chron 11:10; 12:38).
"David, after an initial retreat to Adullam (2 Sam 5:17; 23:13-17), expelled the Philistines in two divinely directed campaigns (5:18-25). He next established a new political and religious capital by capturing the Jebusite stronghold of Jerusalem and installing Moses' ark of the covenant in a tent on Zion (2 Sam 6; Ps 24).
"From 1002 to about 995 B.C. David expanded his kingdom on all sides: west against Philistia (2 Sam 8:1), east against Moab, (8:2), north against Syria (10:13, 18; cf. 8:3) to the Euphrates River, and south against stubborn Edom (1 Kings 11:15; Ps 60:10). An alliance with Hiram of Tyre enabled David to construct a palace in Jerusalem (2 Sam 5:11).
"Rest from war followed (2 Sam 7:1; 22:1-51; Ps 18), and David proposed a permanent temple for the Lord in Jerusalem, but was denied this privilege (1 Chron 22:8; 28:3). However, God promised to establish David's dynasty through Solomon, who would build the temple, and culminating in the incarnation of God's eternal Son (2 Sam 7:13-14). David composed many psalms concerning this Messiah (Pss 2, 16, 22, 68, 110). Some of David's greatest achievements lie in this literary sphere. Of the 150 canonical psalms, 73 possess titles asserting Davidic authorship.
"Yet soon after this, David lapsed into a series of failures including . . . adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband (10-11), and ineffective control over his sons-Ammon's rape of Tamar, Absalom's murder of Amnon (13:23-29), and his revolt and death (13:38; 14:28; 15:7; 16:20-22; 18:9-15).
