David

==Biblical account==

===Family===
[[File:Osmar Schindler David und Goliath.jpg|thumb|right|''David und Goliath'' (1888), color lithograph by German artist [[Osmar Schindler]].]]
[[File:Sweet stories of God; in the language of childhood and the beautiful delineations of sacred art (1899) (14751566596).jpg|thumb|David raises the head of Goliath as illustrated by [[Josephine Pollard]] (1899)]]

The [[1 Samuel|First Book of Samuel]] and the [[First Book of Chronicles]] both identify David as the son of [[Jesse (biblical figure)|Jesse]], the [[Bethlehem]]ite, the youngest of eight sons.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://christiananswers.net/q-aiia/jessesons.html|title=Jesse's Sons – How many sons did Jesse, King David's father, have? |website=christiananswers.net|access-date=2019-09-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923043448/https://christiananswers.net/q-aiia/jessesons.html|archive-date=2019-09-23|url-status=dead}}</ref> He also had at least two sisters: [[Zeruiah]], whose sons all went on to serve in David's army, and [[Abigail (mother of Amasa)|Abigail]], whose son [[Amasa]] served in [[Absalom|Absalom's]] army, Absalom being one of David's younger sons.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://biblehub.com/1_chronicles/2-16.htm|title=1 Chronicles 2:16 Their sisters were Zeruiah and Abigail. And the three sons of Zeruiah were Abishai, Joab, and Asahel.|website=biblehub.com|access-date=2019-09-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923043447/https://biblehub.com/1_chronicles/2-16.htm|archive-date=2019-09-23|url-status=dead}}</ref> While the [[Bible]] does not name his mother, the [[Talmud]] identifies her as [[Nitzevet]], a daughter of a man named Adael, and the [[Book of Ruth]] claims him as the great-grandson of [[Ruth the Moabite|Ruth]], the [[Moabites|Moabite]], by [[Boaz]].<ref>Babylonian Talmud, Tractate ''Bava Batra'' 91a</ref>

David is described as cementing his relations with various political and national groups through [[Marriage of state|marriage]].{{sfn|Lemaire|1999|p={{page needed|date=November 2021}}}} According to 1 Samuel 17:25, King Saul said that he would make whoever killed Goliath a very wealthy man, give his daughter to him and declare his father's family exempt from taxes in Israel. Saul offered David his oldest daughter, [[Merab]], a marriage David respectfully declined.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=piVNAwAAQBAJ&dq=David+++Merab&pg=PA110|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724141421/https://books.google.com/books?id=piVNAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA110&lpg=PA110&dq=David+%2B+Merab&source=bl&ots=bdg8Hea6MV&sig=ACfU3U3X4JeBf0nxIFHH-B84r2Xv6zOByg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjL0M3WnNPqAhWHgXIEHTd3Aos4ChDoATAEegQIChAB#v=onepage&q=David%20%20%20Merab&f=false|url-status=dead|title=David and His Theologian: Literary, Social, and Theological Investigations of the Early Monarchy|first=Walter|last=Brueggemann|year=2011|archivedate=24 July 2020|publisher=Wipf and Stock Publishers|isbn = 9781610975346|via=Google Books}}</ref> Saul then gave Merab in marriage to Adriel the Meholathite.<ref>{{cite web|title=1 Samuel 18:19|url=http://biblehub.com/1_samuel/18-19.htm|access-date=2018-08-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508042658/http://biblehub.com/1_samuel/18-19.htm|archive-date=2014-05-08|url-status=live}}</ref> Having been told that his younger daughter [[Michal]] was in love with David, Saul gave her in marriage to David upon David's payment in [[Philistine]] foreskins<ref>{{cite web|title=1 Samuel 18:18-27|url=http://biblehub.com/1_samuel/18-27.htm|access-date=2018-08-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508043105/http://biblehub.com/1_samuel/18-27.htm|archive-date=2014-05-08|url-status=live}}</ref> (ancient Jewish historian [[Josephus]] lists the dowry as 100 Philistine heads).<ref>{{cite book |last1=Flavious Josephus |editor1-last=Whiston |editor1-first=William |title=Antiquities of the Jews |date=1998 |publisher=Thomas Nelson |chapter=6.10.2}}</ref> Saul became jealous of David and tried to have him killed. David escaped. Then Saul sent Michal to Galim to marry [[Palti, son of Laish]].<ref>{{cite web|title=1 Samuel 25:14|url=http://biblehub.com/1_samuel/25-14.htm|access-date=2018-08-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150420003858/http://biblehub.com/1_samuel/25-14.htm|archive-date=2015-04-20|url-status=dead}}</ref> David then took wives in [[Hebron]], according to [[2 Samuel]] 3; they were [[Ahinoam]] the Yizre'elite; [[Abigail]], the widow of Nabal the Carmelite; [[Maacah]], the daughter of Talmay, king of [[Geshur]]; [[Haggith]]; [[Abital]]; and [[Eglah]]. Later, David wanted Michal back and [[Abner]], Ish-bosheth's army commander, delivered her to him, causing Palti great grief.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/3-14.htm|title=2 Samuel 3:14|access-date=2018-08-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817093338/https://biblehub.com/2_samuel/3-14.htm|archive-date=2018-08-17|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Book of Chronicles]] lists his sons with his various wives and [[concubine]]s. In [[Hebron]], David had six sons: [[Amnon]], by [[Ahinoam]]; [[Daniel (son of David)|Daniel]], by [[Abigail]]; [[Absalom]], by [[Maachah]]; [[Adonijah]], by [[Haggith]]; [[Shephatiah]], by [[Abital]]; and [[Ithream]], by [[Eglah]].<ref>{{Bibleref2|1 Chronicles|3:1–3|NIV}}</ref> By Bathsheba, his sons were [[Shammua]], Shobab, [[Nathan (son of David)|Nathan]], and [[Solomon]]. David's sons born in Jerusalem of his other wives included [[Ibhar]], Elishua, [[Eliphelet]], Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, Elishama and Eliada.<ref>{{Bibleref2|2 Samuel|5:14–16|NIV}}</ref> [[Jerimoth]], who is not mentioned in any of the genealogies, is mentioned as another of his sons in 2 Chronicles 11:18. His daughter [[Tamar (2 Samuel)|Tamar]], by Maachah, is raped by her half-brother Amnon. David fails to bring Amnon to justice for his violation of Tamar, because he is his firstborn and he loves him, and so Absalom (her full brother) kills Amnon to avenge Tamar.<ref>According to the Dead Sea Scrolls and Greek version of 2 Samuel 13:21, "... he did not punish his son Amnon, because he loved him, for he was his firstborn."  {{cite web|url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Samuel+13&version=NLT#fen-NLT-8315d|title=2 Samuel 13 NLT|website=Bible Gateway|access-date=2019-09-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923043508/https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Samuel+13&version=NLT#fen-NLT-8315d|archive-date=2019-09-23|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite the great sins they had committed, David showed grief at his sons' deaths, weeping twice for Amnon [2 Samuel 13:31–26] and seven times for Absalom.<ref>Soṭah, 10b</ref>

===Narrative===
{{Anchor|childhood|Jesse|Bethlehem|Saul rejected}}
[[File:Samuel e david.jpg|right|thumb|[[1 Samuel 16|Samuel anoints David]], [[Dura-Europos synagogue]], now in [[Syria]], 3rd century CE]]
[[Yahweh|God]] is angered when [[Saul]], Israel's king, unlawfully offers a sacrifice<ref>{{Bibleverse|1 Sam|13:8–14|NRSV}}</ref> and later disobeys a divine command both to kill all of the [[Amalek]]ites and to destroy their confiscated property.<ref>{{Bibleverse|1 Sam|15:1–28|NRSV}}</ref> Consequently, God sends the prophet [[Samuel]] to anoint a shepherd, David, the youngest son of [[Jesse (biblical figure)|Jesse]] of [[Bethlehem]], to be king instead.<ref>{{Bibleverse|1 Sam|16:1–13|NRSV}}</ref>

{{Anchor|At Saul's court}}
After God sends an evil spirit to torment Saul, his servants recommend that he send for a man skilled in playing the [[kinnor|lyre]]. A servant proposes David, whom the servant describes as "skillful in playing, a man of valor, a warrior, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence; and the Lord is with him." David enters Saul's service as one of the royal armour-bearers and plays the lyre to soothe the king.<ref>{{Bibleverse|1 Sam|16:14-23|NRSV}}</ref>

{{Anchor|David and Goliath}}
War comes between Israel and the [[Philistines]], and the giant [[Goliath]] challenges the Israelites to send out a champion to face him in single combat.<ref>{{Bibleverse|1 Sam|17:1–11|NRSV}}</ref> David, sent by his father to bring provisions to his brothers serving in Saul's army, declares that he can defeat Goliath.<ref>{{Bibleverse|1 Sam|17:17–37|NRSV}}</ref> Refusing the king's offer of the royal armour,<ref>{{Bibleverse|1 Sam|17:38–39|NRSV}}</ref> he kills Goliath with his [[Sling (weapon)|sling]].<ref>{{Bibleverse|1 Sam|17:49–50|NRSV}}</ref> Saul inquires the name of the young hero's father.<ref>{{Bibleverse|1 Sam|17:55–56|NRSV}}</ref>

Saul sets David over his army. All Israel loves David, but his popularity causes Saul to fear him ("What else can he wish but the kingdom?").<ref>{{Bibleverse|1 Sam|18:5–9|NRSV}}</ref> Saul plots his death, but Saul's son [[Jonathan (1 Samuel)|Jonathan]], one of those who [[David and Jonathan|loves David]], warns him of his father's schemes and David flees. He goes first to [[Nob (Bible)|Nob]], where he is fed by the priest [[Ahimelech]] and given Goliath's sword, and then to [[Gath (city)|Gath]], the Philistine city of Goliath, intending to seek refuge with King [[Achish]] there. Achish's servants or officials question his loyalty, and David sees that he is in danger there.<ref>{{Bibleverse|1|Samuel|21:10–11|NRSV}}</ref> He goes next to the cave of [[Adullam]], where his family joins him.<ref>{{bibleverse|1|Samuel|22:1|NKJV}}</ref> From there he goes to seek refuge with the king of [[Moab]], but the prophet [[Gad (prophet)|Gad]] advises him to leave and he goes to the [[Forest of Hereth]],<ref>{{bibleverse|1|Samuel|22:5|NKJV}}</ref> and then to [[Keilah]], where he is involved in a further battle with the Philistines. Saul plans to besiege Keilah so that he can capture David, so David leaves the city in order to protect its inhabitants.<ref>{{bibleverse|1|Samuel|23:1–13|NKJV}}</ref> From there he takes refuge in the mountainous [[Ziph (Judean Mountains)|Wilderness of Ziph]].<ref>{{bibleverse|1|Samuel|23:14|NKJV}}</ref>
[[File:Jusepe Leonardo 001.jpeg|thumb|Saul threatening David, by [[José Leonardo]]]]
{{Anchor|David and Jonathan}}
Jonathan meets with David again and confirms his loyalty to David as the future king. After the people of Ziph notify Saul that David is taking refuge in their territory, Saul seeks confirmation and plans to capture David in the Wilderness of Maon, but his attention is diverted by a renewed Philistine invasion and David is able to secure some respite at [[Ein Gedi]].<ref>{{bibleverse|1|Samuel|23:27–29|NKJV}}</ref> Returning from battle with the Philistines, Saul heads to Ein Gedi in pursuit of David and enters the cave where, as it happens, David and his supporters are hiding, "[[defecation|to attend to his needs]]". David realises he has an [[Window of opportunity|opportunity]] to kill Saul, but this is not his intention: he secretly cuts off a corner of Saul's robe, and when Saul has left the cave he comes out to pay homage to Saul as the king and to demonstrate, using the piece of robe, that he holds no malice towards Saul. The two are thus reconciled and Saul recognises David as his successor.<ref>{{bibleverse|1|Samuel|24:1–22|NKJV}}</ref>

A similar passage occurs in 1 Samuel 26, when David is able to infiltrate Saul's camp on the hill of Hachilah and remove his spear and a jug of water from his side while he and his guards lie asleep. In this account, David is advised by [[Abishai (biblical figure)|Abishai]] that this is his opportunity to kill Saul, but David declines, saying he will not "stretch out [his] hand against the Lord's anointed".<ref>{{bibleverse|1|Samuel|26:11|NKJV}}</ref> In the morning, David once again demonstrates to Saul that, despite ample opportunity, he did not deign to harm him. Saul, despite having already reconciled with David, confesses that he has been wrong to pursue David, and blesses him.<ref>{{bibleverse|1|Samuel|26:25|NIV}}, NIV text</ref>

In 1 Samuel 27:1–4, David begins to doubt Saul's sincerity, and reasons that the king will eventually make another attempt on his life. David appeals to king Achish of Gath to grant him and his family sanctuary. Achish agrees, and upon hearing that David has fled to Philistia, Saul ceases to pursue him,<ref>cf. {{bibleverse|1|Samuel|21:10–15|NKJV}}</ref> though no such pursuit seemed to be in progress at the time. Achish permits David to reside in [[Ziklag]], close to the border between Philistia and Judah. To further ingratiate himself to Achish and the Philistines, David and his men raid the [[Geshur]]ites, the Girzites and the [[Amalek]]ites, but lead the royal court to believe they are attacking the Israelites, the [[Jerahmeelite]]s and the [[Kenite]]s. While Achish comes to believe that David had become a loyal [[vassal]], the princes or lords of Gath remain unconvinced, and at their request, Achish instructs David to remain behind to guard the camp when the Philistines march against Saul.<ref>{{Bibleverse|1 Sam|29:1–11|NRSV}}</ref> David returns to Ziklag and saves his wives and the citizens from an Amalekite raid.<ref>{{Bibleverse|1|Samuel|30:1|NKJV}}</ref> Jonathan and Saul are killed in battle with the Philistines,<ref>{{Bibleverse|1 Sam|31:1–13|NRSV}}</ref> and after hearing of their deaths, David travels to Hebron, where he is anointed king over Judah.<ref>{{Bibleverse|2 Sam|2:1–4|NRSV}}</ref> In the north, Saul's son [[Ish-Bosheth]] is anointed king of Israel, and war ensues until Ish-Bosheth is murdered.<ref>{{Bibleverse|2 Sam|2:8–11|NRSV}}</ref>

{{Anchor|Proclaimed king|Jerusalem and the Davidic covenant}}
With the death of Saul's son, the elders of Israel come to [[Hebron]] and David is anointed king over all of Israel.<ref>{{Bibleverse|2 Sam|5:1–3|NRSV}}</ref> He conquers [[Jerusalem]], previously a [[Jebusite]] stronghold, and makes it his capital.<ref>{{Bibleverse|2 Sam|5:6–7|NRSV}}</ref> He brings the [[Ark of the Covenant]] to the city,<ref>{{Bibleverse|2 Sam|6:1–12|NRSV}}</ref> intending to build a temple for God, but the prophet [[Nathan (Prophet)|Nathan]] forbids it, prophesying that the temple would be built by one of David's sons.<ref>{{Bibleverse|2 Sam|7:1–13|NRSV}}</ref> Nathan also prophesies that God has made a covenant with the house of David stating, "your throne shall be established forever".<ref>{{Bibleverse|2 Sam|7:16|NRSV}}</ref> David wins additional victories over the Philistines, Moabites, [[Edomites]], Amalekites, [[Ammon]]ites and king [[Hadadezer ben Rehob|Hadadezer]] of [[Aram-Zobah]], after which they become tributaries. His fame increases as a result, earning the praise of figures like King [[Tou (biblical figure)|Toi]] of [[Hamath]], Hadadezer's rival.<ref>{{Bibleverse|2 Sam|8:1–14|NRSV}}</ref>
[[File:Eugène Siberdt - The Prophet Nathan rebukes King David.jpg|thumb|''The Prophet Nathan rebukes King David'', oil on canvas by [[Eugène Siberdt]], 1866–1931 (Mayfair Gallery, London)]]

{{Anchor|Bathsheba and Uriah the Hittite}}
During a siege of the Ammonite capital of [[Rabbah]], David remains in Jerusalem. He spies a woman, [[Bathsheba]], bathing and summons her; she becomes pregnant.<ref name=RichardsRichards2002>{{cite book|author=Lawrence O. Richards|title=Bible Reader's Companion|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=S4D_IVZ1cCQC&pg=PA210|year=2002|publisher=David C Cook|isbn=978-0-7814-3879-7|pages=210–|access-date=2017-07-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216035112/https://books.google.com/books?id=S4D_IVZ1cCQC&pg=PA210|archive-date=2019-12-16|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Wilton2004>{{cite book|author=Carlos Wilton|title=Lectionary Preaching Workbook: For All Users of the Revised Common, the Roman Catholic, and the Episcopal Lectionaries. Series VIII|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GxyxOxf5DmcC&pg=PA189|date=June 2004|publisher=CSS Publishing|isbn=978-0-7880-2371-2|pages=189–}}</ref><ref name=Zucker2013>{{cite book|author=David J. Zucker|title=The Bible's Prophets: An Introduction for Christians and Jews|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nTtJAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA51|date= 2013 |publisher=Wipf and Stock Publishers|isbn=978-1-63087-102-4|pages=51–}}</ref> The text in the Bible does not explicitly state whether Bathsheba consented to sex.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://bible.oremus.org/?passage=2+Samuel+11:2-4&version=nrsv |title=2 Samuel 11:2–4 |access-date=2018-12-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181202024758/http://bible.oremus.org/?passage=2+Samuel+11:2-4&version=nrsv |archive-date=2018-12-02 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=Campbell2005>{{cite book |author=Antony F. Campbell|title=2 Samuel|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FgmyJVkci14C&pg=PA104 |year=2005|publisher=Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing|isbn=978-0-8028-2813-2|pages=104–}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Sara M. Koenig|title=Isn't This Bathsheba?: A Study in Characterization|date=2011 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=O4ZMAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA69|publisher=Wipf and Stock Publishers|isbn=978-1-60899-427-4 |pages=69–}}</ref><ref name=Campbell2004>{{cite book|author=Antony F. Campbell|title=Joshua to Chronicles: An Introduction|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vQEcTgQuP94C&pg=PA161|year=2004 |publisher=Westminster John Knox Press|isbn=978-0-664-25751-4|pages=161– |access-date=2017-08-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216035108/https://books.google.com/books?id=vQEcTgQuP94C&pg=PA161 |archive-date=2019-12-16|url-status=live}}</ref>  David calls her husband, [[Uriah the Hittite]], back from the battle to rest, hoping that he will go home to his wife and the child will be presumed to be his. Uriah does not visit his wife, however, so David conspires to have him killed in the heat of battle. David then marries the widowed Bathsheba.<ref>{{Bibleverse|2 Sam|11:14–17|NRSV}}</ref> In response, Nathan, after trapping the king in his guilt with a parable that actually described his sin in analogy, prophesies the punishment that will fall upon him, stating "the sword shall never depart from your house."{{efn|1=Some commentators believe this meant during David's lifetime.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/12-10.htm |title=2 Samuel 12:10 |website=Bible Hub |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801181431/http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/12-10.htm |archive-date=2017-08-01 }}</ref> Others say it included his posterity.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/gills-exposition-of-the-bible/2-samuel-12-10.html |title=2 Samuel 12:10 |website=Salem Web Network |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729103412/http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/gills-exposition-of-the-bible/2-samuel-12-10.html |archive-date=2017-07-29}}; {{Bibleverse|2 Sam|12:8–10|NRSV}}</ref> }} When David acknowledges that he has [[sin]]ned,<ref>{{bibleverse|2|Samuel|12:13|NRSV}}</ref> Nathan advises him that his sin is forgiven and he will not die,<ref>Adultery was a capital crime under [[Mosaic law]]: {{bibleverse||Leviticus|20:10|ESV}}</ref> but the child will.<ref>{{bibleverse|2|Samuel|12:14|NIV}}: NIV translation</ref>
{{anchor|David's son Absalom rebels}}
In fulfillment of Nathan's words, the child born of the union between David and Bathsheba dies, and another of David's sons, [[Absalom]], fueled by vengeance and lust for power, rebels.<ref>{{Bibleverse|2 Sam|15:1–12|NRSV}}</ref> Thanks to [[Hushai]], a friend of David who was ordered to infiltrate Absalom's court to successfully sabotage his plans, Absalom's forces are routed at the battle of the [[Wood of Ephraim]], and he is caught by his long hair in the branches of a tree where, contrary to David's order, he is killed by [[Joab]], the commander of David's army.<ref>{{Bibleverse|2 Sam|18:1–15|NRSV}}</ref> David laments the death of his favourite son: "O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!"<ref>{{Bibleverse|2 Sam|18:33|NRSV}}</ref> until Joab persuades him to recover from "the extravagance of his grief"<ref>{{cite web |work=Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges |url=http://biblehub.com/commentaries/cambridge/2_samuel/19.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731122102/http://biblehub.com/commentaries/cambridge/2_samuel/19.htm |archive-date=2017-07-31 |url-status=live |title=2 Samuel 19 |access-date=12 August 2017}}</ref> and to fulfill his duty to his people.<ref>{{bibleverse|2|Samuel|19:1–8}}</ref> David returns to [[Gilgal]] and is escorted across the [[River Jordan]] and back to Jerusalem by the tribes of [[Tribe of Judah|Judah]] and [[Tribe of Benjamin|Benjamin]].<ref>{{Bibleverse|2|Samuel|19:15–17|NKJV}}</ref>

{{Anchor|Death}}
When David is old and bedridden, [[Adonijah]], his eldest surviving son and natural heir, declares himself king.<ref>{{Bibleref|1 Kings|1:1–5|NRSV}}</ref> Bathsheba and Nathan go to David and obtain his agreement to crown Bathsheba's son [[Solomon]] as king, according to David's earlier promise, and the revolt of Adonijah is put down.<ref>{{Bibleverse|1 Kings|1:11–31|NRSV}}</ref> David dies at the age of 70 after reigning for 40 years,<ref>{{Bibleverse|2 Sam|5:4|NRSV}}</ref> and on his deathbed counsels Solomon to walk in the ways of God and to take revenge on his enemies.<ref>{{Bibleverse|1 Kings|2:1–9|NRSV}}</ref>

===Psalms===
[[File:Paris psaulter gr139 fol1v.jpg|thumb|David Composing the Psalms, [[Paris Psalter]], 10th century<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_Caqa12aj55wC|title=The Glory of Byzantium: Art and Culture of the Middle Byzantine Era, A.D. 843–1261|editor1=Helen C. Evans|editor2=William W. Wixom|date=5 March 1997|publisher=Metropolitan Museum of Art|access-date=5 March 2018|via=Internet Archive|page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_Caqa12aj55wC/page/n114 86]|isbn=9780870997778}}</ref>]]
The [[Book of Samuel]] calls David a skillful harp (lyre) player<ref>{{bibleref2|1 Samuel|16:15–18|NIV}}</ref> and "the sweet psalmist of Israel."{{efn|1=Other translations say, "the hero of Israel's songs", "the favorite singer of Israel", "the contented psalm writer of Israel", and "Israel's beloved singer of songs".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/23-1.htm |title=2 Samuel 23:1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170727014338/http://biblehub.com/2_samuel/23-1.htm |archive-date=2017-07-27 }}</ref>}} Yet, while almost half of the [[Psalms]] are headed "A Psalm of David" (also translated as "to David" or "for David") and tradition identifies several with specific events in David's life (e.g., [[Psalm 3|Psalms 3]], [[Psalm 7|7]], [[Psalm 18|18]], [[Psalm 34|34]], [[Psalm 51|51]], [[Psalm 52|52]], [[Psalm 54|54]], [[Psalm 56|56]], [[Psalm 57|57]], [[Psalm 59|59]], [[Psalm 60|60]], [[Psalm 63|63]] and [[Psalm 142|142]]),<ref>Commentary on II Samuel 22, The Anchor Bible, Vol. 9. ''II Samuel''. [[P. Kyle McCarter, Jr.]], 1984. New York: Doubleday. {{ISBN|0-385-06808-5}}</ref> the headings are late additions and no psalm can be attributed to David with certainty.<ref name="McKenzie_on_David">{{cite web |url=http://www.bibleinterp.com/articles/McKensie_020301.shtml |author=Steven McKenzie |title=King David: A Biography |website=The Bible and Interpretation |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-06-21 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120621040818/http://www.bibleinterp.com/articles/McKensie_020301.shtml}}</ref>

Psalm 34 is attributed to David on the occasion of his escape from [[Abimelech]] (or King [[Achish]]) by pretending to be insane.<ref>Psalm 34, ''Interlinear NIV Hebrew-English Old Testament'', Kohlenberger, J.R, 1987. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House {{ISBN|0-310-40200-X}}</ref> According to the parallel narrative in 1 Samuel 21, instead of killing the man who had exacted so many casualties from him, Abimelech allows David to leave, exclaiming, "Am I so short of madmen that you have to bring this fellow here to carry on like this in front of me? Must this man come into my house?"<ref>{{bibleref2|1 Samuel|21:15|NIV}}</ref>