Lexical Summary
David: David
Original Word:דָּוִד
Part of Speech:Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration:David
Pronunciation:dah-VEED
Phonetic Spelling:(daw-veed')
KJV: David
NASB:David, David's
Word Origin:[from the same asH1730 (דּוֹד דּוֹד - beloved)]
1. loving
2. David, the youngest son of Jesse
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
David
Rarely (fully); Daviyd {daw-veed'}; from the same asdowd; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse -- David.
see HEBREWdowd
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom the same as
dodDefinitionperhaps "beloved one," a son of Jesse
NASB TranslationDavid (941), David's (55).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
,
1066 , son of , king of Israel, whose dynasty remained on the throne of Jerusalem till the Babylonian exile (compare2 Samuel 7:11-15 etc.) (beloved one ? compare BaNB 189; according to SayceModern Rev. 1884, 158 ff.; Rel. Babylonian 53, 56 f. originallyDodo, title of sun-god worshipped in Israel compare name of divinity among east Jordan Israelites MI12) — always Ruth, Samuel, Kings (except1 Kings 3:14;1 Kings 11:4,36) Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Isaiah, Jeremiah; also1 Chronicles 13:6;Ezekiel 34:24;Ezekiel 37:24,25 (c. 790 t.); always Zechariah, Chronicles (except1 Chronicles 13:6), Ezra, Nehemiah; alsoAmos 6:5 (where gloss according to PetersHebraica. Apr. 1886, p. 175)Amos 9:11;Hosea 3:5;Ezekiel 34:23;1 Kings 3:14;1 Kings 11:4,36;Songs 4:4 (c. 276 t.); — first named1 Samuel 16:13; compare alsoRuth 4:17,22;2 Samuel 1:1 +,1 Kings 1:1 +,1 Kings 2:1 +, etc. (see above); in titles ofPsalm 3-9, 11-32, 34-41, 51-65, 68-70, 86, 101, 103, 108-110, 122, 124, 131, 133, 138-145 (73 in all); also inPsalm 18:51 (=2 Samuel 22:51); 2Sam 72:20; 2Sam 89:36; 2Sam 89:50; 2Sam 122:5; 2Sam 132:1132:11; 132:17; ( speaks)2 Samuel 3:18;2 Samuel 7:5,8 =1 Chronicles 17:4,7 compare1 Chronicles 17:26 =1 Chronicles 17:24, also1 Kings 8:24,25,26,66 2Chron 6:15; 6:16; 6:17; 6:42,1 Kings 11:13;1 Kings 11:32;1 Kings 11:34;1 Kings 11:36;1 Kings 11:38;1 Kings 14:8;2 Kings 8:19;2 Kings 19:34 =Isaiah 37:35;2 Kings 20:6; compare furtherPsalm 18:1;Psalm 36:1 (both titles compare above)Psalm 78:70;Psalm 89:4;Psalm 89:21;Psalm 132:10;Psalm 144:10;Jeremiah 33:21,22,26; so also as represented in coming (Messianic) rulerEzekiel 34:23,24;Ezekiel 37:24,25, compareHosea 3:5;Jeremiah 30:9 (see ). Phrases are:
(according to SayceMod.Rev.l.c. originallycity of godDod [o]) = stronghold or citadel of Zion,2 Samuel 5:7,9 =1 Chronicles 11:5,7;2 Samuel 6:10,12,16 =1 Chronicles 13:13;1 Chronicles 15:1,29, compareIsaiah 22:9; especially of burial of kings1 Kings 2:10;1 Kings 3:1;1 Kings 8:1 2Chronicles 5:2;1 Kings 9:24 2Chronicles 8:11;1 Kings 11:271 Kings 11:43 2Chronicles 9:31;1 Kings 14:13;1 Kings 15:8 2Chronicles 12:16; 2 Chronicles 13:23;1 Kings 15:24 2Chronicles 9:31;1 Kings 14:31;1 Kings 15:8 2Chronicles 12:16; 2 Chronicles 13:23;1 Kings 15:24 2Chronicles 16:14;1 Kings 22:50 2Chronicles 21:1;2 Kings 8:24 2Chronicles 21:20;2 Kings 9:28;2 Kings 12:22 2Chronicles 24:25;2 Kings 14:20;2 Kings 15:7,2 Kings 15:38 2Chronicles 27:9;2 Kings 16:20; burial of Jehoiada 2Chronicles 24:16; further 2 Chronicles 32:5,30; 33:14;Nehemiah 12:37; compare alsoIsaiah 29:1.
2 Samuel 3:1,6 + (compare .
Isaiah 16:5 (compare ).
Amos 9:11 (compare below ).
2 Samuel 3:10 compare1 Kings 1:37;1 Kings 2:12,24,45;Isaiah 9:6;Jeremiah 17:25;Jeremiah 22:2,30;Jeremiah 29:16;Jeremiah 36:30; compareJeremiah 13:13;Jeremiah 22:4, (compare also ).
Nehemiah 3:16 compare 2 Chronicles 32:33 (compare ).
Songs 4:4.
Nehemiah 12:36.
2 Kings 20:5 + (compare ).
2Chronicles 6:42;Isaiah 55:3 (compare2 Samuel 7:15;1 Kings 3:6;Psalm 89:50; 2Chronicles 1:8 etc.). — (On text note the following: —1 Samuel 30:20a strike out We Dr;2 Samuel 3:5 read probably name of a former husband of Eglah We Dr;2 Samuel 13:39 read Wep.223 Dr;2 Samuel 19:44 read (for ) The We Dr; insert2 Samuel 9:11;2 Samuel 15:32 &2 Samuel 24:15 We Dr; in1 Chronicles 18:12;Psalm 60:1 & are less original than2 Samuel 8:13 We Dr).
Topical Lexicon
OverviewDavid, son of Jesse of Bethlehem, stands as the divinely chosen shepherd-king through whom the LORD forged an everlasting covenant, unified Israel’s tribes, secured Jerusalem, and inspired a liturgical and prophetic legacy that permeates all of Scripture. His name appears roughly 1,075 times, spanning narrative, poetry, prophecy, and post-exilic reflection, making him the most frequently cited human figure in the Old Testament.
Historical Background and Early Life
Born into the tribe of Judah, David was the youngest of eight sons (1 Samuel 16:10-11). His ancestry, traced inRuth 4:18-22, anchors him within the messianic line promised sinceGenesis 49:10. As a youth he tended his father’s flock, developing faith, courage, and musical gifts that later shaped Israel’s worship.
Anointing and Service under Saul
Rejected King Saul still sat on Israel’s throne when the prophet Samuel secretly anointed David: “The Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward” (1 Samuel 16:13). Summoned to court as a harpist and armor-bearer (1 Samuel 16:21-23), David learned statecraft even while Saul’s envy brewed.
Victory over Goliath
The confrontation recorded in1 Samuel 17 showcases David’s zeal for God’s honor: “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts” (1 Samuel 17:45). The Philistine threat was shattered, and Israel recognized divine favor on David.
Covenant Friendships and Family
Jonathan, Saul’s son, made covenant with David (1 Samuel 18:3-4), modeling loyal love (Hebrew ḥesed) amid political tension. David’s marriage alliances—Michal, Abigail, Bathsheba, and others—wove tribal bonds and produced heirs, notably Solomon (2 Samuel 12:24).
Exile and Formation of the Mighty Men
Saul’s animosity forced David into years of wilderness flight (1 Samuel 19–31). During exile he attracted “the distressed, indebted, and discontented” (1 Samuel 22:2), forging the core of his thirty mighty men (2 Samuel 23:8-39) whose feats mirror David’s own faith and valor.
Ascension to the Throne
After Saul’s death, Judah crowned David in Hebron (2 Samuel 2:4). Seven-and-a-half years later all Israel affirmed him: “You were the one who led Israel out and brought them in” (2 Samuel 5:2). His reign totaled forty years (1 Kings 2:11).
Military Campaigns and Territorial Expansion
David subdued Philistines, Moabites, Arameans, Edomites, and Ammonites (2 Samuel 8–12), extending Israel’s borders “from the Euphrates River to the border of Egypt” (1 Kings 4:21). The victories fulfilled earlier promises (Genesis 15:18) and prepared a peaceful platform for Solomon’s temple.
Establishment of Jerusalem and Liturgical Reforms
Capturing the Jebusite stronghold, David renamed it the City of David (2 Samuel 5:6-9) and relocated the ark of the covenant there (2 Samuel 6). He organized Levitical choirs, gatekeepers, and instrumentalists (1 Chronicles 15-16; 23-26), embedding musical worship into Israel’s life. His psalms shaped corporate prayer and personal devotion.
The Davidic Covenant
Through Nathan, God promised: “Your house and kingdom will endure forever before Me, and your throne will be established forever” (2 Samuel 7:16). This oath anchored messianic hope, culminating in the New Testament identification of Jesus as “the Son of David” (Matthew 1:1;Luke 1:32).
Psalms and Worship Leadership
Seventy-three psalms bear Davidic headings; others allude to him. Themes include trust (Psalm 23), thanksgiving (Psalm 30), repentance (Psalm 51), and royal-messianic prophecy (Psalm 110). David’s musical mandate is later echoed in temple and synagogue life and in New Testament exhortations (Ephesians 5:19).
Personal Failings, Divine Discipline, and Restoration
David’s adultery with Bathsheba and the arranged death of Uriah (2 Samuel 11) triggered prophetic rebuke and familial turmoil. Nevertheless, his penitent cry, “Create in me a clean heart, O God” (Psalm 51:10), models genuine contrition. God’s mercy preserved the covenant while chastening the king, seen in Absalom’s revolt and the plague following his ill-advised census (2 Samuel 24).
Succession and Final Acts
In his twilight, David secured Solomon’s succession (1 Kings 1-2), charged him to walk in the LORD’s statutes, amassed materials for the temple (1 Chronicles 22), and composed the last words recorded in2 Samuel 23:1-7, affirming God’s righteous rule.
Typological and Messianic Significance
David typifies the coming Anointed One. Prophets apply his name to the future shepherd-king (Jeremiah 30:9;Ezekiel 34:23-24;Hosea 3:5).Psalm 110’s exalted portrait is interpreted messianically by Jesus Himself (Matthew 22:41-45). Thus, David’s account foreshadows Christ’s humble origins, Spirit anointing, covenant kingship, sufferings, victories, and eternal throne.
David in Prophetic Literature
Isaiah invokes “the sure mercies of David” (Isaiah 55:3), and Amos foresees the “rebuilt tabernacle of David” (Amos 9:11). These texts anticipate restoration and inclusion of the nations, a theme the Jerusalem Council cites inActs 15:16-17.
David in the New Testament Canon
David’s name punctuates the Gospels, Acts, Epistles, and Revelation. Peter calls him a prophet whose tomb remained (Acts 2:29-31). Paul proclaims: “After removing Saul, He raised up David as their king… ‘a man after My own heart’ ” (Acts 13:22). Jesus is repeatedly hailed “Son of David,” affirming messianic identity (Matthew 20:30;Romans 1:3;Revelation 22:16).
Usage Statistics and Literary Distribution
Approximately 580 occurrences appear in Samuel–Kings, 280 in Chronicles, 75 in Psalms headings, with the remainder scattered across Ruth, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Amos, Zechariah, and post-exilic books. The frequency underscores his central narrative and theological role.
Relevant Themes for Theology and Devotion
1. God’s sovereignty in raising the humble.
2. Covenant faithfulness despite human failure.
3. Worship as the heart of kingdom life.
4. The tension of sin, discipline, and grace.
5. Messianic hope rooted in historical promise.
See Also
• Jesse (Strong’s Hebrew 3448)
• Zion / Jerusalem (Strong’s Hebrew 6726)
• Messiah / Anointed (Strong’s Hebrew 4899)
Forms and Transliterations
בְּדָוִ֑ד בְּדָוִ֔ד בְּדָוִ֔יד בְּדָוִ֖ד בְּדָוִ֗ד בְּדָוִ֜ד בְּדָוִ֜יד בְּדָוִ֣ד בְּדָוִד֙ בְּדָוִד֮ בְדָוִ֖ד בְדָוִ֗ד בדוד בדויד דָ֝וִ֗ד דָ֠וִד דָּ֝וִ֗ד דָּ֠וִד דָּ֠וִיד דָּֽוִיד־ דָּוִ֑ד דָּוִ֑יד דָּוִ֔ד דָּוִ֔יד דָּוִ֖ד דָּוִ֖יד דָּוִ֗ד דָּוִ֗יד דָּוִ֛ד דָּוִ֛יד דָּוִ֜ד דָּוִ֜יד דָּוִ֡ד דָּוִ֡יד דָּוִ֣ד דָּוִ֣יד דָּוִ֤ד דָּוִ֤יד דָּוִ֥ד דָּוִ֥יד דָּוִ֧ד דָּוִ֧יד דָּוִ֨ד דָּוִ֨יד דָּוִֽד׃ דָּוִֽיד׃ דָּוִד֒ דָּוִד֙ דָּוִד֩ דָּוִד֮ דָּוִיד֒ דָּוִיד֙ דָּוִיד֩ דָּוִיד֮ דָוִ֑ד דָוִ֑יד דָוִ֔ד דָוִ֔יד דָוִ֖ד דָוִ֖יד דָוִ֗ד דָוִ֗יד דָוִ֛ד דָוִ֛יד דָוִ֜ד דָוִ֜יד דָוִ֣ד דָוִ֤ד דָוִ֤יד דָוִ֥ד דָוִ֥יד דָוִ֧ד דָוִ֨ד דָוִֽד׃ דָוִֽיד׃ דָוִד֙ דָוִיד֒ דָוִיד֙ דָויִ֔ד דוד דוד׃ דויד דויד־ דויד׃ וְדָוִ֑ד וְדָוִ֔ד וְדָוִ֕ד וְדָוִ֖ד וְדָוִ֖יד וְדָוִ֗ד וְדָוִ֛ד וְדָוִ֞יד וְדָוִ֡ד וְדָוִ֣ד וְדָוִ֣ד ׀ וְדָוִ֣יד וְדָוִ֥ד וְדָוִ֥יד וְדָוִ֧ד וְדָוִ֨ד וְדָוִד֙ וְדָוִד֩ וְדָוִיד֙ וַיֵּצֵ֣א וּלְדָוִ֡ד ודוד ודויד ויצא ולדוד כְּדָוִ֑יד כְּדָוִ֕יד כְּדָוִ֖ד כְּדָוִ֣ד כְּדָוִ֥ד כְּדָוִ֥יד כדוד כדויד לְ֝דָוִ֗ד לְדָ֫וִ֥ד לְדָֽוִיד־ לְדָוִ֑ד לְדָוִ֑יד לְדָוִ֔ד לְדָוִ֔יד לְדָוִ֖ד לְדָוִ֖יד לְדָוִ֗ד לְדָוִ֗יד לְדָוִ֛ד לְדָוִ֛יד לְדָוִ֜ד לְדָוִ֡ד לְדָוִ֣ד לְדָוִ֣יד לְדָוִ֤ד לְדָוִ֤יד לְדָוִ֥ד לְדָוִ֨ד לְדָוִ֨ד ׀ לְדָוִ֨יד לְדָוִ֪ד לְדָוִֽד׃ לְדָוִֽיד׃ לְדָוִד֙ לדוד לדוד׃ לדויד לדויד־ לדויד׃ עִם־ עם־ ‘im- bə·ḏā·wiḏ bə·ḏā·wîḏ ḇə·ḏā·wiḏ bedaVid bəḏāwiḏ bəḏāwîḏ ḇəḏāwiḏ ḏā·w·yiḏ dā·wiḏ dā·wîḏ ḏā·wiḏ ḏā·wîḏ dā·wîḏ- daVid dāwiḏ dāwîḏ ḏāwiḏ ḏāwîḏ dāwîḏ- ḏāwyiḏ doYid im kə·ḏā·wiḏ kə·ḏā·wîḏ kedaVid kəḏāwiḏ kəḏāwîḏ lə·ḏā·wiḏ lə·ḏā·wîḏ lə·ḏā·wîḏ- ledaVid ləḏāwiḏ ləḏāwîḏ ləḏāwîḏ- ū·lə·ḏā·wiḏ uledaVid ūləḏāwiḏ vaiyeTze vedaVid way·yê·ṣê wayyêṣê wə·ḏā·wiḏ wə·ḏā·wîḏ wəḏāwiḏ wəḏāwîḏ
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