* Born in Bethlehem ~ 1030 BCE * Dies in Jerusalem in 962 BCE * At the time of his death the land of Cannan had been split into two regions: * Judah * Israel * Grew up as a shepherd and accomplished musician. * King before him was Saul (ruled 1025-1004 BCE) * David married Saul’s daughter Michal. * Fought in the Philistine Wars alongside Saul before he was king. * Gained much of his fame from his encounter with the Philistine giant Goliath. * Because he did so well, Saul got jealous and wanted him dead. * David spent many years in exile, hiding from Saul. * During this time he composed his book of psalms, which later became the bible. * Saul was killed in a battle fighting the Philistines. * David became king. * During the civil war that divided Cannan into Judah & Israel, David and his group of men, “The Mighty Men of David”, captured Jerusalem and made it David’s capital. * He defeated the Philistines, other hostile neighbors such as the Moab, Edom, Ammon, and Aram. * Extended the boundaries of Jerusalem to Egypt and Euphrates. * To make holy the city of Jerusalem, he bought the Ark of Covenant. A vessel which housed the original pieces of the Ten Commandments * Soon after taking Jerusalem, David had problems with his personal life. * He saw Bathsheba bathe in the fountain * Committed sin of adultery, she gave birth to his child * David killed her husband * First child died * Bathsheba gave birth to his second son Solomon who would later succeed David on the throne of Israel. * David’s son from Michel was angry with Solomon being David’s heir. * They staged a revolt against David which was unsuccessful * Significant to the overall development of Jerusalem because he practically built it. * First king who took Jerusalem as his capital * Died in 962BCE peacefully while his two sons from different women fought over who was
References: 19-3-13 * http://www.bxln.net/GoFordsUS/webbio/blocka/david/biography.htm 12-4-13 * http://www.biography.com/assets/pdf/study_guides/bio4kids/Bio4KidsCleopatra.pdf