King David

David, the son of Jesse of Bethlehem, of the tribe of Judah, was one of the most brilliant leaders of ancient Israel.  He was the great-grandson of Ruth.  David was born into a family of shepherds, yet he grew to be King of Israel.

When David was just a shepherd boy, he was called upon to play music for King Saul in order to cure Saul's sadness.

David also gained fame as a youth when he killed the Philistine Goliath (Galyat) with his slingshot. Saul made David his armor-bearer and son-in-law.  Saul's son Jonathan became David's loyal friend.

God became very unhappy with King Saul.  He sent the prophet Samuel to Bethlehem to the house of Jesse.  God told Samuel to appoint one of Jesse's 12 sons as the next king of Israel.  Samuel took with him a horn filled with oil.  This oil was to be anointed (poured) over the head of the future king.

When Samuel arrived in Bethlehem he tried to anoint each of Jesse's sons.  But the oil refused to flow out of the horn.  Then Jesse sent for his son David.  At once the oil began to flow onto David.  Samuel named David as the future king of Israel.

When Saul died, David rose to power by conquering the south of Israel and then Jerusalem. The northern tribes of Israel voluntarily submitted to David. David was the first king of a united Israel.

He founded a Jewish dynasty, with Jerusalem as its capital, that remained in power for about 500 years. David brought the Ark of the Covenant into the center of the Jewish nation.  He based the land of Israel on Judaism and ethics.

By creating a nation for the Jews with Torah at its center, David ensured that Judaism would survive for thousands of years. 

David was the ultimate Jewish leader. He was courageous and strong in battle, as well as an intelligent speaker. He was a faithful friend and an inspiring leader.

He was skilled at playing musical instruments and gifted in his ability to write psalms (tehillim) or songs of praise to God.

In his relationship with God, he was pious. David did make mistakes and he was not a perfect person.  However, he was able to learn from his mistakes and imperfections.  

According to Jewish Tradition, the Messiah (Moshiach) will be a descendant of David.