David
Shepherd, musician, and warrior anointed by Samuel.
David is introduced as the son of Jesse, an Ephrathite of Bethlehemjudah (1 Samuel 17:12). He is the youngest of eight sons (1 Samuel 17:14) and is first noted as a shepherd for his father's flock (1 Samuel 16:19; 1 Samuel 17:15). He is anointed by Samuel, and the Spirit of the LORD comes upon him from that day forward (1 Samuel 16:13). David becomes a servant to King Saul, serving as his armor-bearer and musician, playing the harp to refresh Saul when an evil spirit from God was upon him (1 Samuel 16:21, 1 Samuel 16:23).
Quick Facts
- Father
- Jesse (Ruth 4:17; Ruth 4:22; 1 Samuel 17:12)
- Number of brothers
- Eight sons total, David the youngest (1 Samuel 17:12; 1 Samuel 17:14)
- Occupation
- Shepherd (1 Samuel 16:19; 1 Samuel 17:15; 1 Samuel 17:34)
- Anointed by
- Samuel (1 Samuel 16:13)
- Role to saul
- Armor-bearer and musician (1 Samuel 16:21; 1 Samuel 16:23)
- Descendant of
- Obed and Jesse (Ruth 4:17; Ruth 4:22)
Lore & Background
David first appears in the narrative as a shepherd boy, the youngest son of Jesse, who is sent by his father to bring provisions to his brothers in Saul's army (1 Samuel 17:17-20). While there, he hears the Philistine champion Goliath defying Israel and volunteers to fight him, declaring that the LORD who delivered him from lion and bear will deliver him from the Philistine (1 Samuel 17:34-37). Despite Saul's doubts about his youth, David refuses the king's armor, preferring his own shepherd's weapons (1 Samuel 17:38-39). David's earlier service to Saul is also detailed: he was brought to Saul as a musician, playing the harp to soothe Saul when an evil spirit troubled him, and Saul loved him greatly, making him his armor-bearer (1 Samuel 16:21-23). David also served as a messenger, carrying gifts from Jesse to Saul (1 Samuel 16:20). Genealogically, David is the son of Jesse, who is the son of Obed, as named by the women of Bethlehem (Ruth 4:17; Ruth 4:22). His anointing by Samuel marks the beginning of the Spirit of the LORD being with him (1 Samuel 16:13).
Reader's Guide
The passages portray David as a figure of humble origins who rises through divine favor and personal courage. He is first a shepherd, obedient to his father Jesse, who sends him on errands (1 Samuel 17:17-20). His faith is central: he credits the LORD for past deliverances from wild animals and trusts Him for victory over Goliath (1 Samuel 17:34-37). David is also depicted as a skilled musician whose playing brings relief to King Saul (1 Samuel 16:23). His anointing by Samuel (1 Samuel 16:13) establishes him as chosen by God, yet he remains in service to Saul as armor-bearer and messenger (1 Samuel 16:21; 1 Samuel 16:20). The passages emphasize David's youth and inexperience in warfare (1 Samuel 17:33, 1 Samuel 17:42), but also his boldness in confronting the Philistine champion (1 Samuel 17:26, 1 Samuel 17:32). His brother Eliab accuses him of pride (1 Samuel 17:28), but David responds simply, 'Is there not a cause?' (1 Samuel 17:29). Overall, David is presented as a divinely favored youth, a shepherd, musician, and warrior, whose lineage is traced through Obed and Jesse (Ruth 4:17).
Elsewhere in Figures of Scripture
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