TIME OF DAVID
DAVID the son of Jesse was an outstanding musician, poet, warrior, and statesman. But David’s prominence in Scripture is primarily due to his relationship with God. Jehovah called him “a man agreeable to my heart.”—Ac 13:22; 1Sa 13:14.
God selected David as future king of Israel when he was but a shepherd youth. Soon thereafter, with full reliance on Jehovah, David courageously confronted and slew the Philistine giant Goliath, as depicted at the right. However, King Saul became jealous of David’s mounting popularity, and David was forced to take up the life of a fugitive. During this trialsome period David composed many heartfelt psalms, which bring comfort to Bible readers even today.
When finally established as king, David shared in historic events in the nation’s history: Israel’s boundaries were pushed to their promised limits. The ark of the covenant was brought to Jerusalem. Plans were drawn up for a glorious temple of Jehovah. Highly significant, too, was God’s covenant promise to David to raise up a permanent ruler in his royal line. (2Sa 7:12-16) This covenant points the way to the earth-wide rule by Jesus Christ.—Ro 1:3; Lu 1:32.
[Chart on page 746]
LOCATIONS ON MAP With Related Scriptures
Adullam
Bethlehem
Carmel
Elah (Low Plain)
En-gedi
Gath
1Sa 17:4, 52; 21:10-15; 27:2-4
Gibeah
Horesh
Jerusalem
Keilah
Maon
Moab
Nob
Paran (Wilderness)
Ramah
Ziklag
1Sa 27:5–28:2; 30:1-8, 26; 2Sa 1:1-16
Ziph (Wilderness)
[Map on page 746]
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Early Life of David
Great Sea
Ramah
Gibeah
Nob
Jerusalem
Bethlehem
Low Plain of Elah
Gath
Adullam
Keilah
Ziph
En-gedi
Horesh
Carmel
Maon
Ziklag
Jordan River
Salt Sea
Wilderness of Paran
MOAB
[Chart on page 746]
LOCATIONS ON MAP With Related Scriptures
Abel-beth-maacah
Ammon
Baale-judah
Baal-perazim
Bahurim
Bethlehem
Gath
Geba
Geshur
Gezer
Gibeon
Gilboa (Mt.)
Hebron
2Sa 2:1-4, 11; 3:2-5, 12, 20-27, 32; 4:8-12; 5:1-5; 15:7-10; 1Ch 12:23-40
Jerusalem
2Sa 5:5-10, 13-16; 11:1–12:14; 15:13-17; 1Ch 15:1–17:27; 21:16-28
Lo-debar
Maacah
Mahanaim
Moab
Rabbah
Rogelim
Tekoa
Ziklag
[Map on page 746]
(For fully formatted text, see publication)
Kingship of David
Great Sea
Abel-beth-maacah
MAACAH
GESHUR
Lo-debar
Rogelim
Mt. Gilboa
Jordan River
Mahanaim
Rabbah
AMMON
PHILISTIA
Gezer
Gibeon
Geba
Baale-judah
Bahurim
Baal-perazim
Jerusalem
Gath
Bethlehem
Tekoa
Hebron
Ziklag
Salt Sea
MOAB
[Picture on page 747]
Wilderness of Judah. Hiding in caves and crevices in such areas, David eluded King Saul
[Picture on page 747]
A street in old Hebron, the city where David was anointed as king by the men of Judah
[Picture on page 747]
City of David (to the south of the Temple Mount) as it appears today; from here David ruled as king for 33 years