David

David's Story

Follow his life from the sheep fields of Bethlehem to the throne in Jerusalem. Read each event in Scripture, and see how it all fits together.

Tap any event to read it in Scripture, compare the accounts, and move through the story.

1 Samuel, 2 Samuel and 1 Kings tell David's life mostly in order, and 1 Chronicles retells much of his reign. A few passages near the end of 2 Samuel are not in time order, and the Bible gives few dates. Where the details differ, the event says so.

Part 1 of 7

The Shepherd

Samuel anoints the youngest son of Jesse. David plays for King Saul and faces Goliath.

  1. A painting of Samuel anointing the young David in Bethlehem
    1. 1 Samuel 16:1–13Samuel Anoints DavidBethlehem
  2. A painting of young David playing the harp for King Saul
    2. 1 Samuel 16:14–23David Plays the Harp for Saul
  3. A painting of Goliath defying the army of Israel in the Valley of Elah
    3. 1 Samuel 17:1–39Goliath Defies IsraelThe Valley of Elah
  4. A painting of young David running out with his sling to face Goliath
    4. 1 Samuel 17:40–58David Defeats GoliathThe Valley of Elah

Part 2 of 7

In Saul's Court

Jonathan becomes David's friend, while Saul grows jealous and tries to kill him.

  1. A painting of Jonathan giving David his robe and weapons
    5. 1 Samuel 18:1–5Jonathan and David
  2. A painting of the women of Israel singing as King Saul grows jealous of David
    6. 1 Samuel 18:6–16Saul Grows Jealous
  3. A painting of David marrying Michal, King Saul's daughter
    7. 1 Samuel 18:17–30David Marries Michal
  4. A painting of Michal letting David down through a window at night
    8. 1 Samuel 19:1–18Michal Helps David Escape
  5. A painting of Jonathan and David saying goodbye in the field
    9. 1 Samuel 20:1–42Jonathan's Arrows

Part 3 of 7

On the Run

David hides from Saul in caves and deserts, spares Saul's life twice, and mourns him when he dies.

  1. A painting of the priest at Nob giving David holy bread and Goliath's sword
    10. 1 Samuel 21:1–9Bread and a Sword at Nob
  2. A painting of David pretending to be mad at the gate of Gath
    11. 1 Samuel 21:10–15David Pretends to Be MadGath
  3. A painting of David with his followers at the cave of Adullam
    12. 1 Samuel 22:1–5The Cave of AdullamThe cave of Adullam
  4. A painting of the priest Abiathar reaching David with news from Nob
    13. 1 Samuel 22:6–23Saul Kills the Priests of Nob
  5. A painting of David and his men saving the town of Keilah
    14. 1 Samuel 23:1–14David Saves Keilah
  6. A painting of Jonathan encouraging David at Horesh
    15. 1 Samuel 23:15–18Jonathan Strengthens David
  7. A painting of David cutting a corner from Saul's robe in the cave
    16. 1 Samuel 24:1–22David Spares Saul in the CaveEn-gedi
  8. A painting of Abigail bowing before David in a mountain ravine
    17. 1 Samuel 25:1–42Abigail Stops David
  9. A painting of David standing over the sleeping King Saul at night
    18. 1 Samuel 26:1–25David Spares Saul Again
  10. A painting of David and his men arriving at Ziklag
    19. 1 Samuel 27:1–12David Among the PhilistinesZiklag
  11. A painting of David and his men weeping at the burned town of Ziklag
    20. 1 Samuel 30:1–31David Recovers What Was LostZiklag
  12. A painting of the men of Jabesh-gilead carrying away the bodies of Saul and his sons
    21. 1 Samuel 31:1–13 · 2 accountsSaul and Jonathan DieMount Gilboa
  13. A painting of David mourning for Saul and Jonathan
    22. 2 Samuel 1:1–27“How the Mighty Have Fallen”

Part 4 of 7

King in Hebron

Judah anoints David king at Hebron, while Saul's house fights on.

  1. A painting of David anointed king of Judah at Hebron
    23. 2 Samuel 2:1–11King of Judah at HebronHebron
  2. A painting of King David weeping behind Abner's bier
    24. 2 Samuel 3:1–39David Mourns AbnerHebron

Part 5 of 7

King in Jerusalem

David rules all Israel from Jerusalem, brings up the ark, and receives God's promise.

  1. A painting of the elders of Israel anointing David king over all Israel
    25. 2 Samuel 5:1–5 · 2 accountsKing over All IsraelHebron
  2. A painting of David at the captured stronghold of Zion
    26. 2 Samuel 5:6–12 · 2 accountsDavid Takes JerusalemJerusalem
  3. A painting of David's army waiting by the trees in the Valley of Rephaim
    27. 2 Samuel 5:17–25 · 2 accountsVictory over the Philistines
  4. A painting of David pouring out the water brought from Bethlehem
    28. 2 Samuel 23:13–17 · 2 accountsWater from BethlehemBethlehem
  5. A painting of the ark of God on the cart as Uzzah reaches out
    29. 2 Samuel 6:1–11 · 2 accountsUzzah and the Ark
  6. A painting of David dancing before the ark as it enters Jerusalem
    30. 2 Samuel 6:12–23 · 2 accountsDavid Dances Before the LORDJerusalem
  7. A painting of King David praying before the ark
    31. 2 Samuel 7:1–29 · 2 accountsGod's Promise to DavidJerusalem · The Promise to David
  8. A painting of Mephibosheth bowing before King David
    32. 2 Samuel 9:1–13Kindness to MephiboshethJerusalem

Part 6 of 7

Sin and Sorrow

David sins with Bathsheba and against Uriah. Trouble follows in his own family, and Absalom rebels.

  1. A painting of King David handing Uriah the letter for Joab
    33. 2 Samuel 11:1–27David and BathshebaJerusalem
  2. A painting of the prophet Nathan confronting King David
    34. 2 Samuel 12:1–15“You Are the Man”Jerusalem
  3. A painting of King David praying on the ground for his sick child
    35. 2 Samuel 12:15–25A Child Dies, and Solomon Is BornJerusalem
  4. A painting of King David grieving at terrible news about his sons
    36. 2 Samuel 13:1–39Trouble in David's House
  5. A painting of King David climbing the Mount of Olives in tears
    37. 2 Samuel 15:1–37Absalom's RebellionThe Mount of Olives
  6. A painting of Shimei cursing King David along the road
    38. 2 Samuel 16:5–14Shimei Curses David
  7. A painting of King David weeping for Absalom above the city gate
    39. 2 Samuel 18:1–33“O My Son Absalom”
  8. A painting of King David sitting in the city gate of Mahanaim
    40. 2 Samuel 19:1–15David Returns to Jerusalem

Part 7 of 7

Last Years

The census and the plague, preparations for the temple, and Solomon made king before David dies.

  1. A painting of David offering sacrifices on Araunah's threshing floor
    41. 2 Samuel 24:1–25 · 2 accountsThe Census and the Threshing FloorJerusalem
  2. A painting of David charging Solomon to build the temple
    42. 1 Chronicles 22:2–19David Prepares for the Temple
  3. A painting of Solomon anointed king at Gihon
    43. 1 Kings 1:1–53Solomon Is Made KingJerusalem
  4. A painting of the old King David giving his last charge to Solomon
    44. 1 Kings 2:1–12 · 2 accountsThe Death of DavidJerusalem