David is remembered in biblical tradition as Israel’s greatest king — the shepherd boy from Bethlehem who became a warrior, a poet, and the ruler Scripture calls “a man after God’s own heart.” In the account he is anointed while still a youth (1 Samuel 16:13). His name means “beloved.”
The narrative follows him from the killing of the giant Goliath to uniting the tribes of Israel and making Jerusalem his capital. Tradition credits him with many of the Psalms, and casts him as Israel’s model of a king who, for all his failures, keeps turning back to God.
His most lasting significance is a promise. Both Jewish and Christian traditions read God’s covenant with David (2 Samuel 7) as establishing an enduring dynasty. Judaism awaits a future Davidic messiah from his line; Christianity identifies Jesus — called “son of David” — as its fulfillment.
Explore David and related terms in the full glossary → a.fortt.com/glossary-app
How this is made · A Fortt Media project, created & edited by Jon Fortt. Grounded in a curated Scripture database and carefully drafted and audited with the help of AI — described plainly, and written to assume no particular denomination or doctrine. Read the full approach → · Report a correction →
