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David

히브리어 דָּוִד헬라어 Δαυείδ, Δαυίδ, Δαβίδ

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[Easton 한국어 번역] 사랑받는 자. 베들레헴 주민 이새의 여덟째이자 막내아들이다. 그의 아버지는 미천한 처지의 사람이었던 듯하다. 그의 어머니의 이름은 기록되어 있지 않다. 어떤 이들은 사무엘하 17:25의 나하스가 그의 어머니라고 생각한다. 그의 외모에 관해서는 머리털이 붉고 눈이 아름다우며 얼굴이 준수했다는 것만 알려져 있다(삼상 16:12; 17:42). 그가 처음 한 일은 유다 산지에서 아버지의 양을 치는 것이었다. 그의 후일의 행적에 비추어 볼 때, 그는 이 일을 하면서 목자의 피리를 불어 무료한 시간을 달래는 한편, 주위에 펼쳐진 다채로운 풍경이 가르쳐 주는 많은 교훈을 깊이 받아들이곤 했음이 틀림없다. 기록에 처음 나오는 그의 무용담은 들짐승들과 맞선 일이다. 그는 사자와 곰이 양 떼를 덮치러 왔을 때, 아무의 도움도 받지 않고 자기 손으로 그것들을 죽였다고 말한다. 곧 정면으로 맞서 싸워 몽둥이로 쳐 죽였다는 것이다(삼상 17:34, 35). 다윗이 혈색 좋은 싱그러운 청년으로서 이처럼 양 떼를 돌보고 있을 때, 사무엘이 하나님의 지시를 따라 뜻밖에 베들레헴을 방문하였다(삼상 16:1-13). 그는 그곳에서 제사를 드리고 이스라엘의 장로들과 이새의 가족을 제사 잔치에 초대하였다. 그러나 자기 앞에 나온 모든 사람 가운데서 그가 찾던 사람을 발견하지 못하였다. 사람을 보내 다윗을 불러오자, 선지자는 그가 하나님께서 택하신 자임을 즉시 알아보았다. 그는 이제 하나님의 길에서 벗어나고 있던 사울을 이어 왕국의 보좌에 오르도록 택함을 받은 사람이었다. 이에 사무엘은 그 일을 미리 내다보며 그의 머리에 관유를 부었다. 다윗은 다시 목자의 생활로 돌아갔지만, “이 날 이후로 다윗이 여호와의 신에게 크게 감동되니라” 하였고, “여호와의 신이 사울에게서 떠나고”라고 하였다(삼상 16:13, 14). 이 일이 있은 지 얼마 후, 기이한 우울과 낙심으로 괴로워하던 사울의 불안한 마음을 수금으로 달래기 위해 다윗이 부름을 받았다. 그가 왕 앞에서 매우 능숙하게 연주하자 사울은 크게 기운을 얻었고, 이 젊은 목자에게 깊은 애정을 품기 시작하였다. 그 후 다윗은 베들레헴의 집으로 돌아갔다. 그러나 그는 곧 다시 주목을 받게 되었다. 블레셋 군대와 이스라엘 군대가 베들레헴에서 남서쪽으로 약 16마일 떨어진 엘라 골짜기에서 전열을 갖추고 있었다. 다윗은 아버지의 심부름으로, 당시 왕의 편에서 싸우고 있던 세 형에게 양식을 가지고 갔다. 이스라엘 진영에 도착한 다윗은, 당시 스무 살가량이었는데, 블레셋의 대표 용사인 가드 사람 골리앗이 나와 이스라엘을 모욕하자 사태를 알게 되었다. 다윗은 물매를 들고 숙련된 솜씨로 겨누어 “시내에서” 가져온 돌 하나를 던졌다. 돌이 거인의 이마에 박히자 그는 정신을 잃고 땅에 쓰러졌다. 다윗은 곧 달려가 그를 죽이고 그의 칼로 그의 머리를 베었다(삼상 17장). 그 결과 이스라엘 사람들은 큰 승리를 거두었으며, 블레셋 사람들을 가드와 에그론 성문까지 추격하였다. 이 영웅적인 공적으로 다윗이 인기를 얻자 사울의 질투가 일어났고(삼상 18:6-16), 그는 여러 방식으로 그것을 드러냈다. 사울은 다윗에게 지독한 증오를 품고 갖가지 계략으로 그를 죽이려 하였다(삼상 18-30장). 격노한 왕은 다윗이 “크게 형통함”을 보지 않을 수 없었으나, 그가 치밀하게 꾸민 음모는 모두 수포로 돌아갔다. 오히려 백성들은 이 젊은 영웅을 더욱 사랑하게 되었으며, 특별히 사울의 아들 요나단이 그러하였다. 요나단과 다윗 사이에는 평생에 걸친 뜨거운 우정이 맺어졌다. 도망자. 사울의 보복을 피하려고 다윗은 라마에 있는 사무엘에게로 도망하였다(삼상 19:12-18). 사무엘은 그를 받아들였고, 다윗은 그곳에서 사무엘의 가르침을 받던 선지자의 생도들 가운데 거하였다. 어떤 이들은 시편 6편, 7편, 11편을 그가 이때 지었다고 추정한다. 이곳은 사울의 거처에서 불과 3마일 떨어져 있었다. 사울은 도망자가 어디로 갔는지 곧 알아내고 그를 데려오려 하였으나 뜻을 이루지 못하였다. 요나단은 아버지가 다윗에게 더 나은 마음을 품도록 애썼으나 헛수고였다(삼상 20장). 이 사실을 알게 된 다윗은 멀리 도망하는 것 외에는 안전을 바랄 길이 없음을 깨달았다. 그리하여 그는 먼저 놉에 나타나고(21:1-9), 이어 블레셋의 주요 성읍인 가드로 갔다. 다윗은 블레셋 왕이 자기를 받아들여 부릴 것으로 기대했으나 왕은 그렇게 하지 않았다. 이에 다윗은 아둘람 요새로 갔다(22:1-4; 대상 12:8-18). 이곳에서 얼마 지나지 않아 400명이 그의 주위에 모여 그를 자기들의 우두머리로 인정하였다. 다윗이 자기 처지에서 오는 괴로움과 위험 가운데 “베들레헴 성문 곁 우물 물을 누가 나로 마시게 할꼬”라고 부르짖은 것은 이때였다. 그러자 그의 용사 세 사람이 블레셋의 전열을 뚫고 들어가 그가 그토록 바라던 물을 가져왔으나(삼하 23:13-17), 그는 그것을 마시려 하지 않았다. 다윗을 잡으려는 모든 시도가 실패하자 사울은 격노하여 놉에 있는 제사장 가문 전체를 학살하라는 명령을 내렸다. “세마포 에봇 입은 자” 85명이 에돔 사람 도엑의 손에 죽임을 당하였다. 아히멜렉의 아들로서 유일하게 살아남은 아비아달이 이 학살의 슬픈 소식을 다윗에게 전하였다. 시편 52편과 비교하라. 서쪽 변경의 성읍 그일라가 블레셋 사람들에게 시달린다는 소식을 듣고, 다윗은 부하들과 함께 그 성읍을 구원하였다(삼상 23:1-14). 그 후 사울을 두려워하여 유다의 “산지”에 있는 요새들로 도망하였다. 시편 31편과 비교하라. 그가 그곳 십 지방의 수풀에 진을 치고 있을 때 요나단이 찾아와 격려의 말을 해 주었다(23:16-18). 두 사람은 이때 헤어진 뒤 다시는 만나지 못하였다. 사울은 계속 다윗을 추격하였다. 다윗은 이때 간신히 그를 벗어나 사해 서쪽 해안에 있는 엔게디의 험한 바위와 골짜기로 도망하였다(삼상 23:29). 군대를 이끌고 여전히 그를 추격하던 사울은 이곳에서 다윗의 너그러운 자제로 간신히 목숨을 건졌으며, 다윗이 자기를 위해 행한 일에 크게 감동하였다. 사울은 추격을 그치고 집으로 돌아갔고, 다윗은 마온으로 갔다. 그곳에서 그는 부하 600명과 함께 그 지방에서 거둔 기부로 생계를 유지하였다. 나발과 그의 아내 아비가일에 관련된 사건이 여기서 일어났다(삼상 25장). 다윗은 나발이 죽은 뒤 아비가일과 결혼하였다. 사울은 다시 다윗을 추격하러 나섰다(삼상 26장). 다윗은 십 황무지의 “여시몬 앞 하길라 산”에 숨어 있었다. 사울은 두 번째로 다윗의 자제로 목숨을 건졌다. 그는 다윗을 대한 자기 행동에 수치와 뉘우침을 표하며, 다윗이 보좌에 오를 것을 예언하고 집으로 돌아갔다. 이스라엘을 대적하는 싸움. 사울에 대한 두려움 때문에 이곳저곳으로 옮겨 다녀야 하는 처지에 시달리던 다윗은 다시 블레셋 사람들 가운데서 피난처를 찾았다(삼상 27장). 왕은 그를 환영하고 시글락을 거처로 주었다. 이곳에서 다윗은 한동안 추종자들 가운데 살면서 독립적인 우두머리로서 유다 남쪽의 아말렉 사람들과 다른 부족들을 상대로 자주 전쟁을 벌였다. 아기스는 다윗과 그의 부하들을 불러 사울을 치러 가는 자기 군대에 합류하게 하였다. 그러나 블레셋 방백들이 다윗의 충성을 의심하였으므로 그는 시글락으로 돌려보내졌다. 그가 돌아가 보니 잠시 자리를 비운 사이에 그곳이 약탈당하고 불타 있어 크게 낙담하였다. 다윗은 약탈자들인 아말렉 사람들을 추격하여 완전히 무찔렀다. 그가 시글락으로 돌아오자 사울이 죽었다는 소식이 전해졌다(삼하 1장). 한 아말렉 사람이 사울의 면류관과 팔고리를 가져와 그의 발 앞에 놓았다. 다윗과 부하들은 옷을 찢고, 길보아산 부근의 전투에서 패한 사울을 위하여 슬퍼하였다. 다윗은 아름다운 애가를 지었는데, 현존하는 모든 히브리 송가 가운데 가장 아름다운 이 노래는 “사울과 그 아들 요나단을 조상하는” 노래였다(삼하 1:18-27). 이 노래에는 “활”이라는 제목이 붙었으며, 사울과 요나단에 대한 기억이 자손들 가운데 보존되도록 그들에게 가르쳐야 했다. “야살의 책에 기록되었으되”라고 하였다. 해당 항목을 보라. 유다의 왕 다윗. 이제 다윗과 그의 부하들은 하나님의 지시에 따라 헤브론으로 떠났다(삼하 2:1-4). 그곳에서 그들은 따뜻한 환영을 받았고, 다윗은 곧 기름 부음을 받아 왕이 되었다. 이때 그의 나이는 서른 살가량이었다. 그러나 그의 왕위에 아무런 이의도 없었던 것은 아니다. 아브넬은 사울에게 유일하게 남은 아들 이스보셋을 데리고 요단을 건너 마하나임으로 가서 그곳에서 그를 왕으로 세웠다. 이때 이스라엘에서 내전이 시작되었다. 한편은 아브넬이, 다른 편은 요압이 이끄는 두 적대 군대의 첫 교전은 기브온 못가에서 벌어졌다. 그 결과 아브넬이 패하였다. 그러나 그 후에도 이스라엘과 유다 사이에 다른 교전들이 이어졌으며(삼하 3:1, 5), 여전히 승리는 다윗의 편에 있었다. 다윗은 칠 년 반 동안 헤브론에서 다스렸다. 이제 아브넬은 다윗의 편에 서서 그가 높아지도록 힘썼으나, 요압에게 배신을 당하여 죽임을 당하였다. 이는 아브넬이 기브온에서 요압의 아우 아사헬을 죽인 데 대한 보복이었다(3:22-39). 다윗은 이를 몹시 유감스럽게 여겼다. 그는 아브넬의 죽음을 슬퍼하였다. 이 일이 있은 지 얼마 후, 이스보셋도 브에롯 출신의 가나안 사람 두 명에게 배신을 당하여 죽임을 당하였다. 이제 경쟁자가 없어지자 다윗은 기름 부음을 받아 온 이스라엘의 왕이 되었다(4:1-12). 온 이스라엘의 왕 다윗(삼하 5:1-5; 대상 11:1-3). 이제 이스라엘의 장로들이 헤브론으로 와서 온 백성의 이름으로 다윗에게 충성을 바쳤으며, 백성들 사이에는 매우 뜨거운 열의가 넘쳤다. 그는 기름 부음을 받아 온 이스라엘의 왕이 되었고, 자기 제국의 수도로서 헤브론보다 더 적합한 새로운 통치의 중심지를 찾았다. 이때 여부스라고도 불리는 시온 언덕에는 여부스 사람의 성채, 곧 “산성”이 있었다. 다윗은 이것을 여부스 사람들에게서 빼앗아 이스라엘의 수도로 삼고, 이곳에 거처를 정하였다. 그 후에는 두로 기술자들의 도움을 받아 자기를 위한 궁전을 지었다. 얼마 동안 일종의 휴전을 지켜 오던 블레셋 사람들은 이제 다윗을 상대로 전쟁을 일으켰으나 전투에서 패하였다. 이곳은 훗날 그 승리를 기념하여 바알브라심이라고 불렸다. 그들은 다시 이 땅을 침공하였으나 다윗에게 두 번째로 패주하였다. 이처럼 그는 이스라엘을 그 원수들에게서 구원하였다. 이제 다윗은 언약궤를 자기의 새 수도로 옮겨 오기로 결심하였다(삼하 6장). 궤는 예루살렘에서 약 7마일 떨어진 기럇여아림의 아비나답 집에 있었다. 블레셋 사람들이 그것을 돌려보낸 때부터 여러 해 동안 그곳에 있었던 것이다(삼상 6; 7장). 궤를 운반하던 수레가 험한 길 때문에 흔들리자, 웃사가 궤를 붙들어 안정시키려고 손을 내밀었다가 죽었다. 레위 사람들만 궤를 다루어야 한다는 것이 하나님의 규례였기 때문이다(민 4장). 이 일로 다윗은 행렬을 멈추고 궤를 가드 출신의 블레셋 사람 오벧에돔의 집으로 옮겼다. 석 달 뒤 다윗은 오벧에돔의 집에서 궤를 예루살렘으로 옮겨 왔다. 시편 24편과 비교하라. 이곳에서 궤는 다윗이 이를 위해 세운 새 장막, 곧 성막 안에 놓였다. 궤가 실로의 성막에 있던 때로부터 약 70년이 지났다. 옛 성막은 이제 기브아에 있었고, 사독이 그곳에서 섬기고 있었다. 이제 다윗은 대제사장 아비아달과 함께 예루살렘에서 하나님께 드리는 예배의 모든 의식을 세심하게 정비하였다(대상 16장). 새로운 신앙의 시대가 시작되었다. 찬양의 봉사가 공적 예배에 처음 도입되었다. 이때부터 시온은 “하나님의 거룩한 산”이 되었다. 다윗의 전쟁들. 이제 다윗은 일련의 정복 전쟁에 나섰으며, 이를 통해 그의 왕국은 크게 확장되고 강화되었다(삼하 8장). 몇 년 사이에 유브라데에서 애굽 강까지, 서쪽의 가사에서 동쪽의 탑사쿠스까지 온 지역이 그의 통치 아래 놓였다(삼하 8:3-13; 10장). 다윗의 타락. 그는 이제 영광의 절정에 이르렀다. 그는 광대한 제국을 다스렸고, 그의 수도는 여러 나라에서 얻은 전리품으로 부유해졌다. 그러나 이 모든 성공 가운데서 그는 넘어졌고, 그의 인격은 간음죄로 더럽혀졌다(삼하 11:2-27). 그의 군사적 승리는 몇 절로 기록된 반면, 그의 타락에 관한 슬픈 이야기는 상세히 기록되어 있다는 점이 성경의 특징으로 지적되어 왔다. 그 이야기는 경고로 가득하며, 바로 그 때문에 기록되었다. 이 범죄는 그것을 은폐하려는 시도 가운데 또 다른 범죄로 이어졌다. 그는 살인죄를 범하였다. 그가 비열하게 해를 끼친 우리아는 깁보림, 곧 용사 부대의 장교였다(23:39). 다윗의 명령에 따라 우리아는 랍바 포위전에서 “가장 치열한 전선 앞에” 배치되었는데, 이는 그를 죽게 하려는 것이었다. 하나님께서는 선지자 나단을 보내어(삼하 7:1-17; 12:1-23) 죄를 지은 왕이 양심으로 자기 범죄를 절실히 깨닫게 하셨다. 그는 참으로 회개하는 자가 되었다. 그는 하나님 앞에서 자기 죄를 쓰라리게 통회하였다. 시편 32편과 51편은 그의 영혼이 겪은 깊은 고투와 그의 영적 회복을 드러낸다. 밧세바는 우리아가 죽은 뒤 다윗의 아내가 되었다. 그녀가 처음 낳은 아들은 선지자의 말대로 죽었다. 그녀는 둘째 아들을 낳았고, 다윗은 그 이름을 솔로몬이라 하였다. 그가 마침내 다윗의 뒤를 이어 보좌에 올랐다(삼하 12:24, 25). 평화. 모든 전쟁을 성공적으로 마친 뒤, 다윗은 하나님의 궤를 위한 성전을 짓겠다는 생각을 품었다. 그러나 그는 전쟁을 치른 사람이었으므로 이를 실행하도록 허락받지 못하였다. 그렇지만 하나님께서는 나단을 그에게 보내 은혜로운 말씀을 전하셨다(삼하 7:1-16). 다윗은 그 말씀을 받고 성소, 곧 궤가 있는 장막에 들어가 여호와 앞에 앉아 경건한 감사의 말로 자기 마음을 쏟아 놓았다(18-29절). 성전 건축은 평강의 사람이 될 그의 아들 솔로몬에게 맡겨졌다(대상 22:9; 28:3). 구름 낀 저녁. 이때까지 다윗의 생애는 큰 번영과 성공으로 이어져 왔다. 이제 구름이 끼고 어두운 날들이 찾아왔다. 그의 맏아들 암논은 이스르엘 사람 아히노암의 아들로서, 크고 수치스러운 죄를 범하였다(삼하 13장). 이것이 다윗의 말년에 닥친 재난의 시작이었다. 이 년 후 압살롬은 다말에게 저지른 범죄에 대해 무서운 보복을 가하여 암논을 죽였다. 이 일은 다윗의 마음에 심한 고통을 안겨 주었다. 압살롬은 자기 범죄의 결과를 두려워하여 요단 건너 그술로 도망하였고, 그곳에서 삼 년 동안 머물다가 요압의 계략으로 돌아오게 되었다(삼하 14장). 그 후 이 땅에 삼 년 동안 기근의 재앙이 닥쳤다(삼하 21:1-14). 그 뒤 얼마 지나지 않아 온역이 뒤따랐다. 이는 다윗이 백성을 계수하면서 드러낸 죄악된 교만에 대한 형벌로 이 땅에 내린 것이었다(삼하 24장). 이 온역으로 사흘 동안 무려 70,000명이 죽었다. 압살롬의 반역. 밧세바 사건으로 다윗 개인에 대한 존경은 애석하게도 크게 떨어졌다. 인구 조사에 반대하는 백성들의 감정이 강하였고, 그와 관련하여 발생한 온역은 일부 지파들 가운데 나타나기 시작한 다윗에 대한 시기심을 더욱 깊게 하였다. 압살롬은 이러한 형편을 최대한 이용하여 점차 백성들을 자기편으로 끌어들였고, 마침내 공공연히 아버지를 거역하고 보좌를 찬탈하였다. 아히도벨은 압살롬의 수석 모사였다. 반란은 유다의 수도 헤브론에서 시작되었다. 압살롬은 그곳에서 왕으로 선포되었다. 이제 다윗은 절박한 위험에 처하여 예루살렘을 떠났고(삼하 15:13-20), 다시 한 번 도망자가 되었다. 이스라엘에서 중대한 하루였다. 그날의 사건들은 구약 역사상 다른 어느 날의 사건보다도 더 상세하게 기록되어 있다. 다윗은 추종자들과 함께 요단 동쪽의 마하나임으로 도망하였다. 천륜을 거스르는 내전이 일어났다. 몇 주 뒤 양측 군대가 소집되고 편성되었다. 그들은 에브라임 수풀에서 적대적인 전열을 갖추고 맞섰다(삼하 18:1-8). 압살롬의 군대는 패하였고, 그 자신도 요압의 손에 죽임을 당하였다(9-18절). 반역한 아들이 죽었다는 소식은 다윗의 마음을 지극히 쓰라린 슬픔으로 채웠다. 그는 “문루로 올라가서 우니라”(33절) 하였으며, 가슴이 찢어지는 듯한 부르짖음으로 “내 아들 압살롬아 내 아들 내 아들 압살롬아 내가 너를 대신하여 죽었더면, 압살롬 내 아들아 내 아들아”라고 외쳤다. 이제 평화가 회복되었고, 다윗은 예루살렘으로 돌아와 다시 정사를 맡았다. 유다 사람들과 이스라엘 사람들 사이에 불행한 다툼이 일어났다(19:41-43). 베냐민 사람 세바가 이스라엘 사람들의 반란을 이끌었다. 그는 아벨벧마아가까지 추격을 당하여 그곳에서 죽임을 당하였고, 이로써 반란은 끝났다. 최후. 압살롬과 세바의 반란이 진압된 뒤, 다윗의 생애에서 비교적 평온한 십 년이 흘러갔다. 이 시기에 그는 주로 예루살렘의 큰 성전을 위하여 온갖 보물을 쌓아 두는 일에 전념했던 듯하다. 그 성전을 건축하는 일은 그의 후계자에게 맡겨져 있었다(대상 22; 28; 29장). 그 전은 “극히 장려하여 만국에 명성과 영광이 있게” 될 집이었다(22:5). 그가 살아온 격동과 수고의 생애, 그리고 그가 겪은 위험과 시련은 그를 쇠약하게 하여 나이보다 일찍 늙게 하였다. 이제 그의 생명이 끝에 가까워지고 있음이 분명해졌다. 누가 그의 후계자가 될 것인지를 둘러싸고 새로운 궁중 음모가 일어났다. 요압은 아도니야를 지지하였다. 그의 당파 우두머리들은 그를 왕으로 선포하려고 기드론 골짜기의 “세탁자의 샘”에 모였다. 그러나 나단이 다윗으로 하여금 서둘러 솔로몬을 지지하는 결정을 내리게 하였고, 이로써 아도니야 당파의 목적은 좌절되었다. 솔로몬은 예루살렘으로 인도되어 기름 부음을 받아 왕이 되었고, 아버지의 보좌에 앉았다(왕상 1:11-53). 다윗의 마지막 말은 하나님께 대한 변함없는 믿음과 그분의 은혜로운 언약의 약속들에 대한 기쁨에 찬 확신을 드러내는 장엄한 발언이다(삼하 23:1-7). 사십 년 육 개월 동안 다스린 뒤(삼하 5:5; 대상 3:4), 다윗은 칠십 세에 죽었으며(주전 1015년), “다윗 성에 장사되니라” 하였다. 시온산에서는 지금도 그의 무덤이라고 가리키는 곳이 있다. 다윗은 선지자로서도 왕으로서도 메시아의 예표였다(삼상 16:13). 시편은 그 모음집에 그가 가장 많은 시편, 곧 약 80편을 기여하였다는 사정 때문에 흔히 “다윗의 시편”이라는 제목으로 불린다. (시편 항목을 보라.) “다윗의 위대함은 그가 떠난 뒤에 느껴졌다. 그는 제사장직과 선지자들 양편 모두와 조화를 이루며 살았다. 이는 그의 통치 정신이 신정 정치의 더 높은 목적들에 철저히 충실했음을 보여 주는 확실한 표지였다. 나라는 그에게 억압당하지 않았으며, 오랜 자유를 마음껏 누리도록 허용되었다. 그는 자기 권력이 미치는 한 모든 사람에게 공의를 행하려고 힘썼다(삼하 8:15). 아들들을 나약하게 방임한 일과 그 자신의 큰 죄에는 쓰라린 대가가 치러졌으며, 그가 죽었을 때에는 오랫동안 입증된 그의 가치를 기억하는 가운데 그런 일들이 잊혔다. 그는 예루살렘에서 삼십삼 년, 헤브론에서 칠 년 반을 다스렸다(삼하 5:5). 그가 즉위할 당시 이스라엘은 국가적 침체의 최저점에 이르러 있었다. 갓 이루어진 통일은 난폭하게 해체되었고, 그 영토는 블레셋 사람들의 공격을 받고 있었다. 그러나 그는 이스라엘을 애굽이나 앗수르와 같은 영토를 가진 제국의 강국으로 남겨 놓았다. 아버지가 죽기 전부터 이미 솔로몬의 왕권은 지중해에서 유브라데까지, 오론테스에서 홍해까지 인정받고 있었다.” 가이키의 『Hours』 등, 제3권.

영문 원문·다른 사전 펼치기

[Easton] Beloved, the eighth and youngest son of Jesse, a citizen of Bethlehem. His father seems to have been a man in humble life. His mother’s name is not recorded. Some think she was the Nahash of 2 Sam. 17:25. As to his personal appearance, we only know that he was red-haired, with beautiful eyes and a fair face (1 Sam. 16:12; 17:42). His early occupation was that of tending his father’s sheep on the uplands of Judah. From what we know of his after history, doubtless he frequently beguiled his time, when thus engaged, with his shepherd’s flute, while he drank in the many lessons taught him by the varied scenes spread around him. His first recorded exploits were his encounters with the wild beasts of the field. He mentions that with his own unaided hand he slew a lion and also a bear, when they came out against his flock, beating them to death in open conflict with his club (1 Sam. 17:34, 35). While David, in the freshness of ruddy youth, was thus engaged with his flocks, Samuel paid an unexpected visit to Bethlehem, having been guided thither by divine direction (1 Sam. 16:1-13). There he offered up sacrifice, and called the elders of Israel and Jesse’s family to the sacrificial meal. Among all who appeared before him he failed to discover the one he sought. David was sent for, and the prophet immediately recognized him as the chosen of God, chosen to succeed Saul, who was now departing from the ways of God, on the throne of the kingdom. He accordingly, in anticipation, poured on his head the anointing oil. David went back again to his shepherd life, but “the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward,” and “the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul” (1 Sam. 16:13, 14). Not long after this David was sent for to soothe with his harp the troubled spirit of Saul, who suffered from a strange melancholy dejection. He played before the king so skilfully that Saul was greatly cheered, and began to entertain great affection for the young shepherd. After this he went home to Bethlehem. But he soon again came into prominence. The armies of the Philistines and of Israel were in battle array in the valley of Elah, some 16 miles south-west of Bethlehem; and David was sent by his father with provisions for his three brothers, who were then fighting on the side of the king. On his arrival in the camp of Israel, David (now about twenty years of age) was made aware of the state of matters when the champion of the Philistines, Goliath of Gath, came forth to defy Israel. David took his sling, and with a well-trained aim threw a stone “out of the brook,” which struck the giant’s forehead, so that he fell senseless to the ground. David then ran and slew him, and cut off his head with his own sword (1 Sam. 17). The result was a great victory to the Israelites, who pursued the Philistines to the gates of Gath and Ekron. David’s popularity consequent on this heroic exploit awakened Saul’s jealousy (1 Sam. 18:6-16), which he showed in various ways. He conceived a bitter hatred toward him, and by various stratagems sought his death (1 Sam. 18-30). The deep-laid plots of the enraged king, who could not fail to observe that David “prospered exceedingly,” all proved futile, and only endeared the young hero the more to the people, and very specially to Jonathan, Saul’s son, between whom and David a life-long warm friendship was formed. A fugitive. To escape from the vengeance of Saul, David fled to Ramah (1 Sam. 19:12-18) to Samuel, who received him, and he dwelt among the sons of the prophets, who were there under Samuel’s training. It is supposed by some that the sixth, seventh, and eleventh Psalms were composed by him at this time. This place was only 3 miles from the residence of Saul, who soon discovered whither the fugitive had gone, and tried ineffectually to bring him back. Jonathan made a fruitless effort to bring his father to a better state of mind toward David (1 Sam. 20), who, being made aware of the fact, saw no hope of safety but in flight to a distance. We accordingly find him first at Nob (21:1-9) and then at Gath, the chief city of the Philistines. The king of the Philistines would not admit him into his service, as he expected that he would, and David accordingly now betook himself to the stronghold of Adullam (22:1-4; 1 Chr. 12:8-18). Here in a short time 400 men gathered around him and acknowledged him as their leader. It was at this time that David, amid the harassment and perils of his position, cried, “Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem;” when three of his heroes broke through the lines of the Philistines and brought him the water for which he longed (2 Sam. 23:13-17), but which he would not drink. In his rage at the failure of all his efforts to seize David, Saul gave orders for the massacre of the entire priestly family at Nob, “persons who wore a linen ephod”, to the number of eighty-five persons, who were put to death by Doeg the Edomite. The sad tidings of the massacre were brought to David by Abiathar, a son of Ahimelech, the only one who escaped. Comp. Ps. 52. Hearing that Keilah, a town on the western frontier, was harassed by the Philistines, David with his men relieved it (1 Sam. 23:1-14); and then, for fear of Saul, he fled to the strongholds in the “hill country” of Judah. Comp. Ps. 31. While encamped there, in the forest in the district of Ziph, he was visited by Jonathan, who spoke to him words of encouragement (23:16-18). The two now parted never to meet again. Saul continued his pursuit of David, who narrowly escaped from him at this time, and fled to the crags and ravines of Engedi, on the western shore of the Dead Sea (1 Sam. 23:29). Here Saul, who still pursued him with his army, narrowly escaped, through the generous forbearance of David, and was greatly affected by what David had done for him. He returned home from pursuing him, and David betook himself to Maon, where, with his 600 men, he maintained himself by contributions gathered from the district. Here occurred the incident connected with Nabal and his wife Abigail (1 Sam. 25), whom David married after Nabal’s death. Saul again went forth (1 Sam. 26) in pursuit of David, who had hid himself “in the hill Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon,” in the wilderness of Ziph, and was a second time spared through his forbearance. He returned home, professing shame and penitence for the way in which he had treated David, and predicting his elevation to the throne. Fighting against Israel. Harassed by the necessity of moving from place to place through fear of Saul, David once more sought refuge among the Philistines (1 Sam. 27). He was welcomed by the king, who assigned him Ziklag as his residence. Here David lived among his followers for some time as an independent chief engaged in frequent war with the Amalekites and other tribes on the south of Judah. Achish summoned David with his men to join his army against Saul; but the lords of the Philistines were suspicious of David’s loyalty, and therefore he was sent back to Ziklag, which he found to his dismay may had been pillaged and burnt during his brief absence. David pursued after the raiders, the Amalekites, and completely routed them. On his return to Ziklag tidings reached him of Saul’s death (2 Sam. 1). An Amalekite brought Saul’s crown and bracelet and laid them at his feet. David and his men rent their clothes and mourned for Saul, who had been defeated in battle near Mount Gilboa. David composed a beautiful elegy, the most beautiful of all extant Hebrew odes, a “lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son” (2 Sam. 1:18-27). It bore the title of “The Bow,” and was to be taught to the children, that the memory of Saul and Jonathan might be preserved among them. “Behold, it is written in the book of Jasher” (q.v.). David king over Judah. David and his men now set out for Hebron under divine direction (2 Sam. 2:1-4). There they were cordially welcomed, and he was at once anointed as king. He was now about thirty years of age. But his title to the throne was not undisputed. Abner took Ish-bosheth, Saul’s only remaining son, over the Jordan to Mahanaim, and there crowned him as king. Then began a civil war in Israel. The first encounter between the two opposing armies, led on the one side by Abner, and on the other by Joab, took place at the pool of Gibeon. It resulted in the defeat of Abner. Other encounters, however, between Israel and Judah followed (2 Sam. 3:1, 5), but still success was on the side of David. For the space of seven and a half years David reigned in Hebron. Abner now sided with David, and sought to promote his advancement; but was treacherously put to death by Joab in revenge for his having slain his brother Asahel at Gibeon (3:22-39). This was greatly to David’s regret. He mourned for the death of Abner. Shortly after this Ish-bosheth was also treacherously put to death by two Canaanites of Beeroth; and there being now no rival, David was anointed king over all Israel (4:1-12). David king over all Israel (2 Sam. 5:1-5; 1 Chr. 11:1-3). The elders of Israel now repaired to Hebron and offered allegiance to David in name of all the people, among whom the greatest enthusiasm prevailed. He was anointed king over all Israel, and sought out a new seat of government, more suitable than Hebron, as the capital of his empire. At this time there was a Jebusite fortress, “the stronghold”, on the hill of Zion, called also Jebus. This David took from the Jebusites, and made it Israel’s capital, and established here his residence, and afterwards built for himself a palace by the aid of Tyrian tradesmen. The Philistines, who had for some time observed a kind of truce, now made war against David; but were defeated in battle at a place afterwards called, in remembrance of the victory, Baal-perazim. Again they invaded the land, and were a second time routed by him. He thus delivered Israel from their enemies. David now resolved to bring up the ark of the covenant to his new capital (2 Sam. 6). It was in the house of Abinadab at Kirjath-jearim, about 7 miles from Jerusalem, where it had been for many years, from the time when the Philistines had sent it home (1 Sam. 6; 7). In consequence of the death of Uzzah (for it was a divine ordinance that only the Levites should handle the ark, Num. 4), who had put forth his hand to steady the ark when the cart in which it was being conveyed shook by reason of the roughness of the road, David stayed the procession, and conveyed the ark into the house of Obed-edom, a Philistine from Gath. After three months David brought the ark from the house of Obed-edom up to Jerusalem. Comp. Ps. 24. Here it was placed in a new tent or tabernacle which David erected for the purpose. About seventy years had passed since it had stood in the tabernacle at Shiloh. The old tabernacle was now at Gibeah, at which Zadok ministered. David now (1 Chr. 16) carefully set in order all the ritual of divine worship at Jerusalem, along with Abiathar the high priest. A new religious era began. The service of praise was for the first time introduced into public worship. Zion became henceforth “God’s holy hill.” David’s wars. David now entered on a series of conquests which greatly extended and strengthened his kingdom (2 Sam. 8). In a few years the whole territory from the Euphrates to the river of Egypt, and from Gaza on the west to Thapsacus on the east, was under his sway (2 Sam. 8:3-13; 10). David’s fall. He had now reached the height of his glory. He ruled over a vast empire, and his capital was enriched with the spoils of many lands. But in the midst of all this success he fell, and his character became stained with the sin of adultery (2 Sam. 11:2-27). It has been noted as characteristic of the Bible that while his military triumphs are recorded in a few verses, the sad story of his fall is given in detail, a story full of warning, and therefore recorded. This crime, in the attempt to conceal it, led to anoter. He was guilty of murder. Uriah, whom he had foully wronged, an officer of the Gibborim, the corps of heros (23:39), was, by his order, “set in the front of the hottest battle” at the siege of Rabbah, in order that he might be put to death. Nathan the prophet (2 Sam. 7:1-17; 12:1-23) was sent by God to bring home his crimes to the conscience of the guilty monarch. He became a true penitent. He bitterly bewailed his sins before God. The thirty-second and fifty-first Psalms reveal the deep struggles of his soul, and his spiritual recovery. Bathsheba became his wife after Uriah’s death. Her first-born son died, according to the word of the prophet. She gave birth to a second son, whom David called Solomon, and who ultimately succeeded him on the throne (2 Sam. 12:24, 25). Peace. After the successful termination of all his wars, David formed the idea of building a temple for the ark of God. This he was not permitted to carry into execution, because he had been a man of war. God, however, sent Nathan to him with a gracious message (2 Sam. 7:1-16). On receiving it he went into the sanctuary, the tent where the ark was, and sat before the Lord, and poured out his heart in words of devout thanksgiving (18-29). The building of the temple was reserved for his son Solomon, who would be a man of peace (1 Chr. 22:9; 28:3). A cloudy evening. Hitherto David’s carrer had been one of great prosperity and success. Now cloudy and dark days came. His eldest son Amnon, whose mother was Ahinoam of Jezreel, was guilty of a great and shameful crime (2 Sam. 13). This was the beginning of the disasters of his later years. After two years Absalom terribly avenged the crime against Tamar, and put Amnon to death. This brought sore trouble to David’s heart. Absalom, afraid of the consequences of his guilt, fled to Geshur beyond Jordan, where he remained for three years, when he was brought back through the intrigue of Joab (2 Sam. 14). After this there fell upon the land the calamity of three years’ famine (2 Sam. 21:1-14). This was soon after followed by a pestilence, brought upon the land as a punishment for David’s sinful pride in numbering the people (2 Sam. 24), in which no fewer than 70,000 perished in the space of three days. Rebellion of Absalom. The personal respect for David was sadly lowered by the incident of Bathsheba. There was a strong popular sentiment against the taking of the census, and the outburst of the plague in connection with it deepened the feeling of jealously that had begun to manifest itself among some of the tribes against David. Absalom, taking full advantage of this state of things, gradually gained over the people, and at length openly rebelled against his father, and usurped the throne. Ahithophel was Absalom’s chief counsellor. The revolt began in Hebron, the capital of Judah. Absalom was there proclaimed king. David was now in imminent danger, and he left Jerusalem (2 Sam. 15:13-20), and once more became a fugitive. It was a momentous day in Israel. The incidents of it are recorded with a fulness of detail greater than of any other day in Old Testament history. David fled with his followers to Mahanarm, on the east of Jordan. An unnatural civil war broke out. After a few weeks the rival armies were mustered and organized. They met in hostile array at the wood of Ephraim (2 Sam. 18:1-8). Absalom’s army was defeated, and himself put to death by the hand of Joab (9-18). The tidings of the death of his rebellious son filled the heart of David with the most poignant grief. He “went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept” (33), giving utterance to the heart-broken cry, “Would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!” Peace was now restored, and David returned to Jerusalem and resumed the direction of affairs. An unhappy dispute arose between the men of Judah and the men of Israel (19:41-43). Sheba, a Benjamite, headed a revolt of the men of Israel. He was pursued to Abelbeth-maachah, and was there put to death, and so the revolt came to an end. The end. After the suppression of the rebellion of Absalom and that of Sheba, ten comparatively peaceful years of David’s life passed away. During those years he seems to have been principally engaged in accumulating treasures of every kind for the great temple at Jerusalem, which it was reserved to his successor to build (1 Chr. 22; 28; 29), a house which was to be “exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries” (22:5). The exciting and laborious life he had spent, and the dangers and trials through which he had passed, had left him an enfeebled man, prematurely old. It became apparent that his life was now drawing to its close. A new palace conspiracy broke out as to who should be his successor. Joab favoured Adonijah. The chiefs of his party met at the “Fuller’s spring,” in the valley of Kidron, to proclaim him king; but Nathan hastened on a decision on the part of David in favour of Solomon, and so the aim of Adonijah’s party failed. Solomon was brought to Jerusalem, and was anointed king and seated on his father’s throne (1 Kings 1:11-53). David’s last words are a grand utterance, revealing his unfailing faith in God, and his joyful confidence in his gracious covenant promises (2 Sam. 23:1-7). After a reign of forty years and six months (2 Sam. 5:5; 1 Chr. 3:4) David died (B.C. 1015) at the age of seventy years, “and was buried in the city of David.” His tomb is still pointed out on Mount Zion. Both in his prophetical and in his regal character David was a type of the Messiah (1 Sam. 16:13). The book of Psalms commonly bears the title of the “Psalms of David,” from the circumstance that he was the largest contributor (about eighty psalms) to the collection. (See PSALMS.) “The greatness of David was felt when he was gone. He had lived in harmony with both the priesthood and the prophets; a sure sign that the spirit of his government had been throughly loyal to the higher aims of the theocracy. The nation had not been oppressed by him, but had been left in the free enjoyment of its ancient liberties. As far as his power went he had striven to act justly to all (2 Sam. 8:15). His weak indulgence to his sons, and his own great sin besides, had been bitterly atoned, and were forgotten at his death in the remembrance of his long-tried worth. He had reigned thirty-three years in Jerusalem and seven and a half at Hebron (2 Sam. 5:5). Israel at his accession had reached the lowest point of national depression; its new-born unity rudely dissolved; its territory assailed by the Philistines. But he had left it an imperial power, with dominions like those of Egypt or Assyria. The sceptre of Solomon was already, before his father’s death, owned from the Mediterranean to the Euphrates, and from the Orontes to the Red Sea.”, Geikie’s Hours etc., iii. [Smith] (well-beloved), the son of Jesse. His life may be divided into three portions: His youth before his introduction to the court of Saul; His relations with Saul; His reign. The early life of David contains in many important respects the antecedents of his future career. It appears that David was the youngest son, probably the youngest child, of a family of ten, and was born in Bethlehem B.C. 1085. The first time that David appears in history at once admits us to the whole family circle. The annual sacrificial feast is being held when Samuel appears, sent by God to anoint one of Jesse’s sons as they pass before him, (1 Samuel 16:6-10) Samuel sends for the youngest, David, who was “keeping the sheep,” and anoints him. (1 Samuel 16:11-13) As David stood before Samuel we are enabled to fix his appearance at once in our minds. He was of short stature, with red or auburn hair, such as is not unfrequently seen in his countrymen of the East at the present day. In later life he wore a beard. His bright eyes are specially mentioned, (1 Samuel 16:12) and generally he was remarkable for the grace of his figure and countenance (“fair of eyes,” “comely,” “goodly,”) (1 Samuel 16:12,18; 17:42) well made and of immense strength and agility. His swiftness and activity made him like a wild gazelle, his feet like hart’s feet, and his arms strong enough to break a bow of steel. (Psalms 18:33,34) After the anointing David resumes his accustomed duties, and the next we know of him he is summoned to the court to chase away the king’s madness by music, (1 Samuel 16:14-19) and in the successful effort of David’s harp we have the first glimpse into that genius for music and poetry which was afterwards consecrated in the Psalms. After this he returned to the old shepherd life again. One incident alone of his solitary shepherd life has come down to us—his conflict with the lion and the bear in defence of his father’s flocks. (1 Samuel 17:34,35) It was some years after this that David suddenly appears before his brothers in the camp of the army, and hears the defiant challenge of the Philistine giant Goliath. With his shepherd’s sling and five small pebbles he goes forth and defeats the giant. (1 Samuel 17:40-51) Relations with Saul.—We now enter on a new aspect of David’s life. The victory over Goliath had been a turning point of his career. Saul inquired his parentage, and took him finally to his court. Jonathan was inspired by the romantic friendship which bound the two youths together to the end of their lives. Unfortunately David’s fame proved the foundation of that unhappy jealousy of Saul towards him which, mingling with the king’s constitutional malady, poisoned his whole future relations to David. His position in Saul’s court seems to have been first armor-bearer, (1 Samuel 16:21; 18:2) then captain over a thousand, (1 Samuel 18:13) and finally, on his marriage with Michal, the king’s second daughter, he was raised to the high office of captain of the king’s body-guard, second only, if not equal, to Abner, the captain of the host, and Jonathan, the heir apparent. David was not chiefly known for his successful exploits against the Philistines, by one of which he won his wife, and rove back the Philistine power with a blow from which it only rallied at the disastrous close of Saul’s reign. He also still performed from time to time the office of minstrel; but the successive attempts of Saul upon his life convinced him that he was in constant danger. He had two faithful allies, however, in the court—the son of Saul, his friend Jonathan, and the daughter of Saul, his wife Michal. Warned by the one and assisted by the other, he escaped by night, and was from thenceforward a fugitive. He at first found a home at the court of Achish, among the Philistines; but his stay was short. Discovered possibly by “the sword of Goliath,” his presence revived the national enmity of the Philistines against their former conqueror, and he only escaped by feigning madness. (1 Samuel 21:13) His first retreat was the cave of Adullam. In this vicinity he was joined by his whole family, (1 Samuel 22:1) and by a motley crowd of debtors and discontented men, (1 Samuel 22:2) which formed the nucleus of his army. David’s life for the next few years was made up of a succession of startling incidents. He secures an important ally in Abiathar, (1 Samuel 23:6) his band of 400 at Adullam soon increased to 600, (1 Samuel 23:13) he is hunted by Saul from place to place like a partridge. (1 Samuel 23:14,22,25-29; 24:1-22; 26) He marries Abigail and Ahinoam. (1 Samuel 25:42,43) Finally comes the new of the battle of Gilboa and the death of Saul and Jonathan. 1Sam 31. The reception of the tidings of the death of his rival and of his friend, the solemn mourning, the vent of his indignation against the bearer of the message, the pathetic lamentation that followed, will close the second period of David’s life. (2 Samuel 1:1-27) David’s reign.— As king of Judah at Hebron, 7 1/2 years. (2 Samuel 2:1; 2 Samuel 5:5) Here David was first formally anointed king. (2 Samuel 2:4) To Judah his dominion was nominally confined. Gradually his power increased, and during the two years which followed the elevation of Ish-bosheth a series of skirmishes took place between the two kingdoms. Then rapidly followed the successive murders of Abner and of Ish-bosheth. (2 Samuel 3:30; 4:5) The throne, so long waiting for him, was now vacant, and the united voice of the whole people at once called him to occupy it. For the third time David was anointed king, and a festival of three days celebrated the joyful event. (1 Chronicles 12:39) One of David’s first acts after becoming king was to secure Jerusalem, which he seized from the Jebusites and fixed the royal residence there. Fortifications were added by the king and by Joab, and it was known by the special name of the “city of David.” (2 Samuel 5:9; 1 Chronicles 11:7) The ark was now removed from its obscurity at Kirjath-jearim with marked solemnity, and conveyed to Jerusalem. The erection of the new capital at Jerusalem introduces us to a new era in David’s life and in the history of the monarchy. He became a king on the scale of the great Oriental sovereigns of Egypt and Persia, with a regular administration and organization of court and camp; and he also founded an imperial dominion which for the first time realize the prophetic description of the bounds of the chosen people. (Genesis 15:18-21) During the succeeding ten years the nations bordering on his kingdom caused David more or less trouble, but during this time he reduced to a state of permanent subjection the Philistines on the west, (2 Samuel 8:1) the Moabites on the east, (2 Samuel 8:2) by the exploits of Benaiah, (2 Samuel 23:20) the Syrians on the northeast as far as the Euphrates, (2 Samuel 8:3) the Edomites, (2 Samuel 8:14) on the south; and finally the Ammonites, who had broken their ancient alliance, and made one grand resistance to the advance of his empire. (2 Samuel 10:1-19; 12:26-31) Three great calamities may be selected as marking the beginning, middle and close of David’s otherwise prosperous reign, which appear to be intimated in the question of Gad, (2 Samuel 24:13) “a three-years famine, a three-months flight or a three-days pestilence.” a. Of these the first (the three-years famine) introduces us to the last notices of David’s relations with the house of Saul, already referred to. b. The second group of incidents contains the tragedy of David’s life, which grew in all its parts out of the polygamy, with its evil consequences, into which he had plunged on becoming king. Underneath the splendor of his last glorious campaign against the Ammonites was a dark story, known probably at that time only to a very few—the double crime of adultery with Bath-sheba and the virtual murder of Uriah. The clouds from this time gathered over David’s fortunes, and henceforward “the sword never departed from his house.” (2 Samuel 12:10) The outrage on his daughter Tamar, the murder of his eldest son Amnon, and then the revolt of his best-beloved Absalom, brought on the crisis which once more sent him forth as wanderer, as in the days when he fled from Saul. (2 Samuel 15:18) The final battle of Absalom’s rebellion was fought in the “forest of Ephraim,” and terminated in the accident which led to the young man’s death; and, though nearly heartbroken at the loss of his son, David again reigned in undisturbed peace at Jerusalem. (2 Samuel 20:1-22) c. The closing period of David’s life, with the exception of one great calamity, may be considered as a gradual preparation for the reign of his successor. This calamity was the three-days pestilence which visited Jerusalem at the warning of the prophet Gad. The occasion which led to this warning was the census of the people taken by Joab at the king’s orders, (2 Samuel 24:1-9; 1 Chronicles 21:1-7; 27:23,24) which was for some reason sinful in God’s sight. 2Sam 24. A formidable conspiracy to interrupt the succession broke out in the last days of David’s reign; but the plot was stifled, and Solomon’s inauguration took place under his father’s auspices. (1 Kings 1:1-53) By this time David’s infirmities had grown upon him. His last song is preserved—a striking union of the ideal of a just ruler which he had placed before him and of the difficulties which he had felt in realizing it. (2 Samuel 23:1-7) His last words to his successor are general exhortations to his duty. (1 Kings 2:1-9) He died, according to Josephus, at the age of 70, and “was buried in the city of David.” After the return from the captivity, “the sepulchres of David” were still pointed out “between Siloah and the house of the mighty men,” or “the guard-house.” (Nehemiah 3:16) His tomb, which became the general sepulchre of the kings of Judah, was pointed out in the latest times of the Jewish people. The edifice shown as such from the Crusades to the present day is on the southern hill of modern Jerusalem commonly called Mount Zion, under the so-called “Coenaculum;” but it cannot be identified with the tomb of David, which was emphatically within the walls. [Hitchcock] well-beloved, dear [Nave] –1. King of Israel .Genealogy of Ru 4:18-22 ; 1Sa 16:11 ; 17:12 ; 1Ch 2:3-15 ; Mt 1:1-6 ; Lu 3:31-38 .A shepherd 1Sa 16:11 .Kills a lion and a bear 1Sa 17:34-36 .Anointed king, while a youth, by the prophet Samuel, and inspired 1Sa 16:1 , 13 ; Ps 89:19-37 .Chosen of God Ps 78:70 .Described to Saul 1Sa 16:18 .Detailed as armor-bearer and musician at Saul’s court 1Sa 16:21-23 .Kills Goliath 1Sa 17 .The love of Jonathan for 1Sa 18:1-4 .Popularity and discreetness of 1Sa 18 .Saul’s jealousy of 1Sa 18:8-30 .Is defrauded of Merab, and given Michal to marry 1Sa 18:17-27 .Jonathan intercedes for 1Sa 19:1-7 .Probably writes Psalms Eleven at this period of his life Ps 17 ; 35 ; 52 ; 58 ; 64 ; 109 ; 142 .Conducts a campaign against, and defeats the Philistines 1Sa 19:8 .Saul attempts to kill him; he escapes to Ramah, and lives at Naioth, where Saul pursues him 1Sa 19:9-24 .About this time writes Ps 59 .Returns, and Jonathan makes covenant with him 1Sa 20 .Escapes by way of Nob, where he obtains shewbread and Goliath’s sword from Abimelech 1Sa 21:1-6 ; Mt 12:3 , 4 .Escapes to Gath 1Sa 21:10-15 .At this time probably writes Ps 34 ; 35 ; 52 ; 56 ; 120 .Recruits an army of insurgents, goes to Moab, returns to Hareth 1Sa 22 .Probably writes Ps 13 .Saves Keilah 1Sa 23:1-13 .Makes second covenant with Jonathan 1Sa 23:16-18 .Goes to the wilderness of Ziph, is betrayed to Saul 1Sa 23:13-26 .Writes a psalm on the betrayal Ps 54 .And probably Ps 22 ; 31 ; 34 ; 140 .Saul is diverted from pursuit of 1Sa 23:27 , 28 .At this time probably writes Ps 12 ; 22 .Goes to En-gedi 1Sa 23:29 .Refrains from killing Saul 1Sa 24 .Writes Ps 57 .Covenants with Saul 1Sa 26 .Marries Nabal’s widow, Abigail, and Ahinoam 1Sa 25 .Lives in the wilderness of Ziph, has opportunity to kill Saul, but only takes his spear; Saul is contrite 1Sa 26 .Flees to Achish and lives in Ziklag 1Sa 27 .The list of men who join him 1Ch 12:1-22 .Conducts an expedition against Amalekites, misstates the facts to Achish 1Sa 27:8-12 .At this time probably writes Ps 141 .Is refused permission to accompany the Philistines to battle against the Israelites 1Sa 28:1 , 2 ; 29 .Rescues the people of Ziklag, who had been captured by the Amalekites 1Sa 30 .Probably writes Ps 18 ; 20 ; 21 .Death and burial of Saul and his sons 1Sa 31 ; 2Sa 21:1-14 .Kills the murderer of Saul 2Sa 1:1-16 .Lamentation over Saul 2Sa 1:17-27 .After living for one year and four months at Ziklag 1Sa 27:7 .David goes to Hebron, and is anointed king by Judah 2Sa 2:1-4 , 11 ; 5:5 ; 1Ki 2:11 ; 1Ch 3:4 ; 11:1-3 .The list of those who join him at Hebron 1Ch 12:23-40 .Ish-bosheth, son of Saul, crowned 2Sa 2:4 .David wages war against and defeats Ish-bosheth 2Sa 2:13-32 ; 3:4 .Demands the restoration of Michal, his wife 2Sa 3:14-16 .Abner revolts from Ish-bosheth, and joins David, but is killed by Joab 2Sa 3 .Punishes Ish-bosheth’s murderers 2Sa 4 .Anointed king over all Israel, after reigning over Judah at Hebron for seven years and six months, and reigns thirty-three years 2Sa 2:11 ; 5:5 ; 1Ch 3:4 ; 11:1-3 ; 12:23-40 ; 29:27 .Makes conquest of Jerusalem 2Sa 5:6 ; 1Ch 11:4-8 ; Isa 29:1 .Builds a palace 2Sa 5:11 ; 2Ch 2:3 .Friendship of, with Hiram, king of Tyre 2Sa 5:11 ; 1Ki 5:1 .Prospered of God 2Sa 5:10 ; 1Ch 11:9 .Fame of 1Ch 14:17 .Philistines make war against, and are defeated by him 2Sa 5:17 , 25 .Assembles thirty-thousand men to escort the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem with music and thanksgiving 2Sa 6:1-5 .Uzzah is struck down when he attempts to steady the ark of the covenant 2Sa 6:6-11 .David is terrified, and leaves the ark at the house of Obed-edom 2Sa 6:9-11 .After three months, David brings the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem with dancing and great joy 2Sa 6:12-16 ; 1Ch 13 .Organized the tabernacle service 1Ch 9:22 ; 15:16-24 ; 16:4-6 , 37-43 .Offers sacrifice, distributes gifts, and blesses the people 2Sa 6:17-19 .Michal rebukes him for his religious enthusiasm 2Sa 6:20-23 .Desires to build a temple, is forbidden, but receives God’s promise that his seed should reign forever 2Sa 7:12-16 ; 23:5 ; 1Ch 17:11-14 ; 2Ch 6:16 ; Ps 89:3 , 4 ; 132:11 , 12 ; Ac 15:16 ; Ro 15:12 .Interpretation and fulfillment of this prophecy Ac 13:22 , 23 .At this time, probably, David writes Ps 15 ; 16 ; 24 ; 101 ; 138 .Conquers the Philistines, Moabites, and Syria 2Sa 8 .Treats Mephibosheth, the lame son of Saul, with great kindness 2Sa 9:6 ; 19:24-30 .Sends commissioners with a message of sympathy to Hanun, son of the king of Ammon; the message is misinterpreted, and commissioners treated with indignity; David retaliates by invading, and defeats the combined armies of the Ammonites and Syrians 2Sa 10 ; 1Ch 19 .Probably writes Ps 18 ; 20 ; 21 .Commits adultery with Bath-sheba 2Sa 11:2-5 .Wickedly causes the death of Uriah 2Sa 11:6-25 .Takes Bath-sheba to be his wife 2Sa 11:26 , 27 .Is rebuked by the prophet Nathan 2Sa 12:1-14 .Repents of his crime and confesses his guilt Ps 6 ; 32 ; 38 ; 39 ; 40 ; 51 .Is chastised with grievous affliction on account of his crime Ps 38 ; 41 ; 69 .Death of his infant son (born from Bath-sheba) 2Sa 12:15-23 .Solomon is born to 2Sa 12:24 , 25 .Ammonites defeated and tortured 2Sa 12:26-31 .Amnon’s crime, his murder by Absalom, and Absalom’s flight 2Sa 13 .Absalom’s return 2Sa 14:1-24 .Absalom’s usurpation 2Sa 14 ; 15 .David’s flight from Jerusalem 2Sa 15:13-37 .He probably writes, at this time Ps 5 ; 7 ; 26 ; 61 ; 63 ; 69 ; 70 ; 86 ; 143 .Shimei curses him 2Sa 16 .Crosses the Jordan River 2Sa 17:21-29 .Absalom’s defeat and death 2Sa 18 .Laments the death of Absalom 2Sa 18:33 ; 19:1-4 .Rebuked by Joab 2Sa 19:5-7 .David rebukes the priests for not showing loyalty amid the complaints of the people against him 2Sa 19:9-15 .Shimei begs for clemency 2Sa 19:16-23 .Mephibosheth begs for the king’s favor 2Sa 19:24-30 .Barzillai rewarded 2Sa 19:31-40 .Judah accused by the ten tribes of stealing him away 2Sa 19:41-43 .Returns to Jerusalem 2Sa 20:1-3 .At this time, probably, David composes Ps 27 ; 66 ; 122 ; 144 .Sheba’s conspiracy against David, and his death 2Sa 20 .Makes Amasa general 2Sa 19:13 .Amasa is killed 2Sa 20:4-10 .Consigns seven sons of Saul to the Gibeonites to be killed to atone for Saul’s persecution of the Gibeonites 2Sa 21:1-14 .Buries Saul’s bones, and the bones of his sons 2Sa 21:12-14 .Defeats the Philistines 2Sa 21:15-22 ; 1Ch 20:4-8 .Takes the military strength of Israel without divine authority, and is reproved 2Sa 24 ; 1Ch 21 ; 27:24 .Probably composes Ps 30 ; 131 .Marries Abishag 1Ki 1:1-4 .Probably composes Ps 19 ; 111 .Adonijah usurps the sceptre; Solomon appointed to the throne 1Ki 1 ; 1Ch 23:1 .Delivers his charge to Solomon 1Ki 2:1-11 ; 1Ch 22:6-19 ; 28 ; 29 .Probably composes Ps 23 ; 145 .Last words of 2Sa 23:1-7 .Death of 1Ki 2:10 ; 1Ch 29:28 ; Ac 2:29 , 30 .Sepulchre of Ac 2:29 .Age of, at death 2Sa 5:4 , 5 ; 1Ch 29:28 .Length of reign, forty years 1Ki 2:11 ; 1Ch 29:27 , 28 .Wives of 2Sa 3:2-5 .Children born At Hebron 2Sa 3:2-5 ; 1Ch 3:4 At Jerusalem 2Sa 5:14-16 ; 1Ch 3:5-8 ; 14:4-7 .Descendants of 1Ch 3 .Civil and military officers of 2Sa 8:16-18 .See CABINET .Lists of his heroes, and of their exploits 2Sa 23 ; 1Ch 11 ; 12:23-40 .Devoutness of 1Sa 13:14 ; 2Sa 6:5 , 14 , 18 ; 7:18-29 ; 8:11 ; 24:25 ; 1Ki 3:14 ; 1Ch 17:16-27 ; 29:10 ; 2Ch 7:17 ; Zec 12:8 ; Ps 6 ; 7 ; 11 ; 13 ; 17 ; 22 ; 26 ; 27:7-14 ; 28 ; 31 ; 35 ; 37 .Justice in the administration of 2Sa 8:15 ; 1Ch 18:14 .Discreetness of 1Sa 18:14 , 30 .Meekness of 1Sa 24:7 ; 26:11 ; 2Sa 16:11 ; 19:22 , 23 .Merciful 2Sa 19:23 .David as musician 1Sa 16:21-23 ; 1Ch 15:16 ; 23:5 ; 2Ch 7:6 ; 29:26 ; Ne 12:36 ; Am 6:5 .David as poet 2Sa 22 .See PSALMS OF DAVID .David as prophet 2Sa 23:2-7 ; 1Ch 28:19 ; Mt 22:41-46 ; Ac 2:25-38 ; 4:25 .Type of Christ Ps 2 ; 16 ; 18:43 ; 69:7-9 .Jesus called son of Mt 9:27 ; 12:23 ; 15:22 ; 20:30 , 31 ; 21:9 ; 22:42 ; Mr 10:47 , 48 ; Lu 18:37 , 39 .Prophecies concerning him and his kingdom Nu 24:17 , 19 ; 2Sa 7:11-16 ; 1Ch 17:9-14 ; 22 ; 2Ch 6:5-17 ; 13:5 ; 21:7 ; Ps 89:19-37 ; Isa 9:7 ; 16:5 ; 22:20-25 ; Jer 23:5 ; 33:15-26 ; Lu 1:32 , 33 .Chronicles of, written by Samuel, Nathan, and Gad 1Ch 29:29 , 30 –2. A prophetic name for Christ Jer 30:9 ; Eze 34:23 , 24 ; 37:24 , 25 ; Ho 3:5 [STEPBible TIPNR] A king of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at Rut.4.17) referred to as David (דָּוִד), or David (Δαυείδ, Δαυίδ, Δαβίδ); son of Jesse and Nahash; a brother of Eliab, Abinadab, Shimeah, Zeruiah, Abigail (?), Nethanel, Raddai, Ozem and Elihu; husband of Michal, Abigail, Ahinoam, Maacah, Haggith, Abital, Eglah and Bathsheba; father of Amnon, Chileab, Absalom, Adonijah, Shephatiah, Ithream, Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama, Eliada, Eliphelet, Tamar, Elpelet, Nogah and Jerimoth. [Theographic] Beloved, the eighth and youngest son of Jesse, a citizen of Bethlehem. His father seems to have been a man in humble life. His mother’s name is not recorded. Some think she was the Nahash of 2 Sam. 17:25. As to his personal appearance, we only know that he was red-haired, with beautiful eyes and a fair face (1 Sam. 16:12; 17:42). His early occupation was that of tending his father’s sheep on the uplands of Judah. From what we know of his after history, doubtless he frequently beguiled his time, when thus engaged, with his shepherd’s flute, while he drank in the many lessons taught him by the varied scenes spread around him. His first recorded exploits were his encounters with the wild beasts of the field. He mentions that with his own unaided hand he slew a lion and also a bear, when they came out against his flock, beating them to death in open conflict with his club (1 Sam. 17:34, 35). While David, in the freshness of ruddy youth, was thus engaged with his flocks, Samuel paid an unexpected visit to Bethlehem, having been guided thither by divine direction (1 Sam. 16:1-13). There he offered up sacrifice, and called the elders of Israel and Jesse’s family to the sacrificial meal. Among all who appeared before him he failed to discover the one he sought. David was sent for, and the prophet immediately recognized him as the chosen of God, chosen to succeed Saul, who was now departing from the ways of God, on the throne of the kingdom. He accordingly, in anticipation, poured on his head the anointing oil. David went back again to his shepherd life, but “the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward,” and “the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul” (1 Sam. 16:13, 14). Not long after this David was sent for to soothe with his harp the troubled spirit of Saul, who suffered from a strange melancholy dejection. He played before the king so skilfully that Saul was greatly cheered, and began to entertain great affection for the young shepherd. After this he went home to Bethlehem. But he soon again came into prominence. The armies of the Philistines and of Israel were in battle array in the valley of Elah, some 16 miles south-west of Bethlehem; and David was sent by his father with provisions for his three brothers, who were then fighting on the side of the king. On his arrival in the camp of Israel, David (now about twenty years of age) was made aware of the state of matters when the champion of the Philistines, Goliath of Gath, came forth to defy Israel. David took his sling, and with a well-trained aim threw a stone “out of the brook,” which struck the giant’s forehead, so that he fell senseless to the ground. David then ran and slew him, and cut off his head with his own sword (1 Sam. 17). The result was a great victory to the Israelites, who pursued the Philistines to the gates of Gath and Ekron. David’s popularity consequent on this heroic exploit awakened Saul’s jealousy (1 Sam. 18:6-16), which he showed in various ways. He conceived a bitter hatred toward him, and by various stratagems sought his death (1 Sam. 18-30). The deep-laid plots of the enraged king, who could not fail to observe that David “prospered exceedingly,” all proved futile, and only endeared the young hero the more to the people, and very specially to Jonathan, Saul’s son, between whom and David a life-long warm friendship was formed. A fugitive. To escape from the vengeance of Saul, David fled to Ramah (1 Sam. 19:12-18) to Samuel, who received him, and he dwelt among the sons of the prophets, who were there under Samuel’s training. It is supposed by some that the sixth, seventh, and eleventh Psalms were composed by him at this time. This place was only 3 miles from the residence of Saul, who soon discovered whither the fugitive had gone, and tried ineffectually to bring him back. Jonathan made a fruitless effort to bring his father to a better state of mind toward David (1 Sam. 20), who, being made aware of the fact, saw no hope of safety but in flight to a distance. We accordingly find him first at Nob (21:1-9) and then at Gath, the chief city of the Philistines. The king of the Philistines would not admit him into his service, as he expected that he would, and David accordingly now betook himself to the stronghold of Adullam (22:1-4; 1 Chr. 12:8-18). Here in a short time 400 men gathered around him and acknowledged him as their leader. It was at this time that David, amid the harassment and perils of his position, cried, “Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem;” when three of his heroes broke through the lines of the Philistines and brought him the water for which he longed (2 Sam. 23:13-17), but which he would not drink. In his rage at the failure of all his efforts to seize David, Saul gave orders for the massacre of the entire priestly family at Nob, “persons who wore a linen ephod”, to the number of eighty-five persons, who were put to death by Doeg the Edomite. The sad tidings of the massacre were brought to David by Abiathar, a son of Ahimelech, the only one who escaped. Comp. Ps. 52. Hearing that Keilah, a town on the western frontier, was harassed by the Philistines, David with his men relieved it (1 Sam. 23:1-14); and then, for fear of Saul, he fled to the strongholds in the “hill country” of Judah. Comp. Ps. 31. While encamped there, in the forest in the district of Ziph, he was visited by Jonathan, who spoke to him words of encouragement (23:16-18). The two now parted never to meet again. Saul continued his pursuit of David, who narrowly escaped from him at this time, and fled to the crags and ravines of Engedi, on the western shore of the Dead Sea (1 Sam. 23:29). Here Saul, who still pursued him with his army, narrowly escaped, through the generous forbearance of David, and was greatly affected by what David had done for him. He returned home from pursuing him, and David betook himself to Maon, where, with his 600 men, he maintained himself by contributions gathered from the district. Here occurred the incident connected with Nabal and his wife Abigail (1 Sam. 25), whom David married after Nabal’s death. Saul again went forth (1 Sam. 26) in pursuit of David, who had hid himself “in the hill Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon,” in the wilderness of Ziph, and was a second time spared through his forbearance. He returned home, professing shame and penitence for the way in which he had treated David, and predicting his elevation to the throne. Fighting against Israel. Harassed by the necessity of moving from place to place through fear of Saul, David once more sought refuge among the Philistines (1 Sam. 27). He was welcomed by the king, who assigned him Ziklag as his residence. Here David lived among his followers for some time as an independent chief engaged in frequent war with the Amalekites and other tribes on the south of Judah. Achish summoned David with his men to join his army against Saul; but the lords of the Philistines were suspicious of David’s loyalty, and therefore he was sent back to Ziklag, which he found to his dismay may had been pillaged and burnt during his brief absence. David pursued after the raiders, the Amalekites, and completely routed them. On his return to Ziklag tidings reached him of Saul’s death (2 Sam. 1). An Amalekite brought Saul’s crown and bracelet and laid them at his feet. David and his men rent their clothes and mourned for Saul, who had been defeated in battle near Mount Gilboa. David composed a beautiful elegy, the most beautiful of all extant Hebrew odes, a “lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son” (2 Sam. 1:18-27). It bore the title of “The Bow,” and was to be taught to the children, that the memory of Saul and Jonathan might be preserved among them. “Behold, it is written in the book of Jasher” (q.v.). David king over Judah. David and his men now set out for Hebron under divine direction (2 Sam. 2:1-4). There they were cordially welcomed, and he was at once anointed as king. He was now about thirty years of age. But his title to the throne was not undisputed. Abner took Ish-bosheth, Saul’s only remaining son, over the Jordan to Mahanaim, and there crowned him as king. Then began a civil war in Israel. The first encounter between the two opposing armies, led on the one side by Abner, and on the other by Joab, took place at the pool of Gibeon. It resulted in the defeat of Abner. Other encounters, however, between Israel and Judah followed (2 Sam. 3:1, 5), but still success was on the side of David. For the space of seven and a half years David reigned in Hebron. Abner now sided with David, and sought to promote his advancement; but was treacherously put to death by Joab in revenge for his having slain his brother Asahel at Gibeon (3:22-39). This was greatly to David’s regret. He mourned for the death of Abner. Shortly after this Ish-bosheth was also treacherously put to death by two Canaanites of Beeroth; and there being now no rival, David was anointed king over all Israel (4:1-12). David king over all Israel (2 Sam. 5:1-5; 1 Chr. 11:1-3). The elders of Israel now repaired to Hebron and offered allegiance to David in name of all the people, among whom the greatest enthusiasm prevailed. He was anointed king over all Israel, and sought out a new seat of government, more suitable than Hebron, as the capital of his empire. At this time there was a Jebusite fortress, “the stronghold”, on the hill of Zion, called also Jebus. This David took from the Jebusites, and made it Israel’s capital, and established here his residence, and afterwards built for himself a palace by the aid of Tyrian tradesmen. The Philistines, who had for some time observed a kind of truce, now made war against David; but were defeated in battle at a place afterwards called, in remembrance of the victory, Baal-perazim. Again they invaded the land, and were a second time routed by him. He thus delivered Israel from their enemies. David now resolved to bring up the ark of the covenant to his new capital (2 Sam. 6). It was in the house of Abinadab at Kirjath-jearim, about 7 miles from Jerusalem, where it had been for many years, from the time when the Philistines had sent it home (1 Sam. 6; 7). In consequence of the death of Uzzah (for it was a divine ordinance that only the Levites should handle the ark, Num. 4), who had put forth his hand to steady the ark when the cart in which it was being conveyed shook by reason of the roughness of the road, David stayed the procession, and conveyed the ark into the house of Obed-edom, a Philistine from Gath. After three months David brought the ark from the house of Obed-edom up to Jerusalem. Comp. Ps. 24. Here it was placed in a new tent or tabernacle which David erected for the purpose. About seventy years had passed since it had stood in the tabernacle at Shiloh. The old tabernacle was now at Gibeah, at which Zadok ministered. David now (1 Chr. 16) carefully set in order all the ritual of divine worship at Jerusalem, along with Abiathar the high priest. A new religious era began. The service of praise was for the first time introduced into public worship. Zion became henceforth “God’s holy hill.” David’s wars. David now entered on a series of conquests which greatly extended and strengthened his kingdom (2 Sam. 8). In a few years the whole territory from the Euphrates to the river of Egypt, and from Gaza on the west to Thapsacus on the east, was under his sway (2 Sam. 8:3-13; 10). David’s fall. He had now reached the height of his glory. He ruled over a vast empire, and his capital was enriched with the spoils of many lands. But in the midst of all this success he fell, and his character became stained with the sin of adultery (2 Sam. 11:2-27). It has been noted as characteristic of the Bible that while his military triumphs are recorded in a few verses, the sad story of his fall is given in detail, a story full of warning, and therefore recorded. This crime, in the attempt to conceal it, led to anoter. He was guilty of murder. Uriah, whom he had foully wronged, an officer of the Gibborim, the corps of heros (23:39), was, by his order, “set in the front of the hottest battle” at the siege of Rabbah, in order that he might be put to death. Nathan the prophet (2 Sam. 7:1-17; 12:1-23) was sent by God to bring home his crimes to the conscience of the guilty monarch. He became a true penitent. He bitterly bewailed his sins before God. The thirty-second and fifty-first Psalms reveal the deep struggles of his soul, and his spiritual recovery. Bathsheba became his wife after Uriah’s death. Her first-born son died, according to the word of the prophet. She gave birth to a second son, whom David called Solomon, and who ultimately succeeded him on the throne (2 Sam. 12:24, 25). Peace. After the successful termination of all his wars, David formed the idea of building a temple for the ark of God. This he was not permitted to carry into execution, because he had been a man of war. God, however, sent Nathan to him with a gracious message (2 Sam. 7:1-16). On receiving it he went into the sanctuary, the tent where the ark was, and sat before the Lord, and poured out his heart in words of devout thanksgiving (18-29). The building of the temple was reserved for his son Solomon, who would be a man of peace (1 Chr. 22:9; 28:3). A cloudy evening. Hitherto David’s carrer had been one of great prosperity and success. Now cloudy and dark days came. His eldest son Amnon, whose mother was Ahinoam of Jezreel, was guilty of a great and shameful crime (2 Sam. 13). This was the beginning of the disasters of his later years. After two years Absalom terribly avenged the crime against Tamar, and put Amnon to death. This brought sore trouble to David’s heart. Absalom, afraid of the consequences of his guilt, fled to Geshur beyond Jordan, where he remained for three years, when he was brought back through the intrigue of Joab (2 Sam. 14). After this there fell upon the land the calamity of three years’ famine (2 Sam. 21:1-14). This was soon after followed by a pestilence, brought upon the land as a punishment for David’s sinful pride in numbering the people (2 Sam. 24), in which no fewer than 70,000 perished in the space of three days. Rebellion of Absalom. The personal respect for David was sadly lowered by the incident of Bathsheba. There was a strong popular sentiment against the taking of the census, and the outburst of the plague in connection with it deepened the feeling of jealously that had begun to manifest itself among some of the tribes against David. Absalom, taking full advantage of this state of things, gradually gained over the people, and at length openly rebelled against his father, and usurped the throne. Ahithophel was Absalom’s chief counsellor. The revolt began in Hebron, the capital of Judah. Absalom was there proclaimed king. David was now in imminent danger, and he left Jerusalem (2 Sam. 15:13-20), and once more became a fugitive. It was a momentous day in Israel. The incidents of it are recorded with a fulness of detail greater than of any other day in Old Testament history. David fled with his followers to Mahanarm, on the east of Jordan. An unnatural civil war broke out. After a few weeks the rival armies were mustered and organized. They met in hostile array at the wood of Ephraim (2 Sam. 18:1-8). Absalom’s army was defeated, and himself put to death by the hand of Joab (9-18). The tidings of the death of his rebellious son filled the heart of David with the most poignant grief. He “went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept” (33), giving utterance to the heart-broken cry, “Would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!” Peace was now restored, and David returned to Jerusalem and resumed the direction of affairs. An unhappy dispute arose between the men of Judah and the men of Israel (19:41-43). Sheba, a Benjamite, headed a revolt of the men of Israel. He was pursued to Abelbeth-maachah, and was there put to death, and so the revolt came to an end. The end. After the suppression of the rebellion of Absalom and that of Sheba, ten comparatively peaceful years of David’s life passed away. During those years he seems to have been principally engaged in accumulating treasures of every kind for the great temple at Jerusalem, which it was reserved to his successor to build (1 Chr. 22; 28; 29), a house which was to be “exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries” (22:5). The exciting and laborious life he had spent, and the dangers and trials through which he had passed, had left him an enfeebled man, prematurely old. It became apparent that his life was now drawing to its close. A new palace conspiracy broke out as to who should be his successor. Joab favoured Adonijah. The chiefs of his party met at the “Fuller’s spring,” in the valley of Kidron, to proclaim him king; but Nathan hastened on a decision on the part of David in favour of Solomon, and so the aim of Adonijah’s party failed. Solomon was brought to Jerusalem, and was anointed king and seated on his father’s throne (1 Kings 1:11-53). David’s last words are a grand utterance, revealing his unfailing faith in God, and his joyful confidence in his gracious covenant promises (2 Sam. 23:1-7). After a reign of forty years and six months (2 Sam. 5:5; 1 Chr. 3:4) David died (B.C. 1015) at the age of seventy years, “and was buried in the city of David.” His tomb is still pointed out on Mount Zion. Both in his prophetical and in his regal character David was a type of the Messiah (1 Sam. 16:13). The book of Psalms commonly bears the title of the “Psalms of David,” from the circumstance that he was the largest contributor (about eighty psalms) to the collection. “The greatness of David was felt when he was gone. He had lived in harmony with both the priesthood and the prophets; a sure sign that the spirit of his government had been throughly loyal to the higher aims of the theocracy. The nation had not been oppressed by him, but had been left in the free enjoyment of its ancient liberties. As far as his power went he had striven to act justly to all (2 Sam. 8:15). His weak indulgence to his sons, and his own great sin besides, had been bitterly atoned, and were forgotten at his death in the remembrance of his long-tried worth. He had reigned thirty-three years in Jerusalem and seven and a half at Hebron (2 Sam. 5:5). Israel at his accession had reached the lowest point of national depression; its new-born unity rudely dissolved; its territory assailed by the Philistines. But he had left it an imperial power, with dominions like those of Egypt or Assyria. The sceptre of Solomon was already, before his father’s death, owned from the Mediterranean to the Euphrates, and from the Orontes to the Red Sea.”, Geikie’s Hours etc., iii.

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