David was born in
Bethlehem, as son of the shepherd Jesse, and was a grandson of Boaz and Ruth. There are no records of his age at no point, but it appears likely that he was born between 1040 and 1030 BCE. According to the earliest stories, he was both musical and brave, the latter trait proven by his defeating the giant Goliath of the
Philistines.
His reputation allowed him to be appointed amour-bearer to Saul, first king of
Israel. His success as a warlord made Saul offer him the hand of his daughter Michal. David’s position was by then so strong that he was able to negotiate a double dowry.
But, as David’s popularity continued to rise, Saul felt threatened and chose to banish him from the court. David installed himself in the Judean desert, as the leader of a gang of outlaws and refugees living from theft. Eventually he entered the service of the Philistine king Achish, who appointed David ruler of the town of
Ziklag. Through these years, David maintained and improved his good relations with important men of the Judean tribes.
1000 BCE: Saul and three of his sons dies in a battle with the Philistines. David takes advantage of the situation, and with the help of his allies, assumes power over Judah, and establishes himself as king with Hebron as his capital. David would still face some year of fighting with Ishbal, Saul’s sole surviving son.
In order to secure his position, David forms a harem by marrying daughters of important Hebrew chiefs. But the relations between his wives are difficult, resulting in future tensions and conflicts.
Ishbal is murdered by his own courtiers, leaving David with no contenders for his kingship.
993: David is anointed king of
Israel.
As king of the two kingdoms, David sets out on a campaign against most of the neighbouring peoples. Quickly, the Philistines, Moabites, Arameans, Edomites Ammonites, and Jebusites are defeated. From the Jebusites, David captured their holy city of Zion or Shalem, which was renamed
Jerusalem.
Soon the reign of David becomes dominated by fractions within his family, in which his oldest son Absalom is the most rebellious. Fights take place between David’s men and those of Absalom. Absalom is eventually killed, but more problems await after David chooses his son Solomon as heir, at the cost of Adonijah, the oldest son and natural heir after Absalom’s death. Adonijah flees the kingdom but instals himself outside David’s kingdom, while trying to forge alliances against Solomon.
961: David dies a natural death, and is buried in
Jerusalem. David is succeeded by Solomon.
David’s long-lasting political impact was both substantial, as well as exaggerated, in some respects. His kingdom did fall apart after his death, as
Israel left the alliance. Yet, he had formed a state that would survive many more rulers to come.
