Meaning of DAVID

(a) Youth.
It took place in Bethlehem of Judah. It was Youth.

It took place in Bethlehem of Judah. He was the youngest of 8 brothers (1 Sam. 16:10, 11; 17: 12-14).

In the genealogy of the tribe of Judah (1 Chron. 2:13-15) only seven of Jesse's sons appear, probably because one of them had died without issue.

David's mother is tenderly mentioned in the Psalms because of her piety (Ps. 86:16; 116:16).

The history of David's ancestors is varied, instructive, and generally beautiful, but also sometimes obscured by sin (Gen. 37:26, 27; 38:13-30; 43:8-10; 44:18- 34; Num. 1:7; Jos. 2:1-21; Rt. 4:17-22).

David was fair and beautiful in appearance (1 Sam. 16:12). As the youngest of the brothers, he was in charge of shepherding his father's sheep, and showed his faithfulness and courage to the point of killing the lion or bear that attacked the flock (1 Sam. 16:11 ; 17: 34-36).

The young man, gifted with a remarkable capacity for music, played the harp with great virtuosity; he later composed songs.

After God had rejected King Saul, he sent the prophet Samuel to Bethlehem, and ordered him to anoint David to be Saul's successor. There was no public proclamation, for fear of arousing Saul's hostility.

Samuel anointed David in the presence of some elders, who appear not to have been informed of the object of this anointing (1 Sam. 16:4, 5, 13), but Jesse and David himself certainly were.

This was a turning point in the young man's life, and "the Spirit of the Lord came upon David"; but David did not despise his humble daily work.

(b) In the service of Saul.
Abandoned by God, King Saul was harassed by evil spirits, subjected to depression and attacks of dementia; His servants advised him to use it. of a harpist, whose music would calm his agitated spirit.

Someone recommended David as an excellent musician, a brave young man, of military age, full of prudence, even when he had not had direct experience of war, and also enjoying the favor of the Lord (1 Sam. 16: 14-18) .

Saul ordered him to come; David's music appeased him, his character pleased him, and he asked Jesse to leave him at court, and made him one of his armor bearers (1 Sam. 16:16-23; cp. 2 Sam. 18:15).

By exercising this function, David became educated; he came to know war, eminent men, the good and bad sides of court life. He was not constantly at Saul's side.

There is no doubt that the king improved; David frequently went to Bethlehem to tend his father's sheep (1 Sam. 17:15). While he was there, the Philistines invaded Judah and camped about 15 miles west of Bethlehem.

Saul assumed command of the Israelite army and marched to meet them. David's three older brothers, who were in the military, had been separated from their family about 6 weeks ago. Jesse sent David to find out his fate.

Goliath's challenge moved him deeply. Understanding that the Lord wanted to use him, David, to remove the disgrace of Israel, inquired about this Philistine who defied the armies of the living God.

Saul was informed about his words; Realizing the intentions that that young man had, the king allowed the shepherd to confront the giant. Without armor, which he found a nuisance.

David, taking advantage of his lightness compared to the giant's heaviness of movements, headed towards the Philistine with his sling and five stones.

He was convinced that his cause was just and that God would help him. Among the ancients, single combats were accompanied by insults.

Goliath collapsed, hit in the forehead by a stone from the slingshot. Returning after the battle to Gibeah of Benjamin, the residence of Saul, or to the tabernacle of Nob, David went to Jerusalem and exhibited the giant's head, no doubt to challenge the Jebusites, owners of the fortress (cp. Josh. 15 :63; Judges 1:8).

As for Goliath's armor, he put it in his tent (1 Sam. 17:54). The giant's sword was deposited in the tabernacle (1 Sam. 21:9).

After David's victory, we are surprised to see Saul ask, "Whose son is that young man?" (1 Sam. 17:55, 58). Did he not know this one who had played the harp so many times before him? (1 Sam. 16:17-23).

This can be explained in two ways: either the young David had developed and changed a lot, or the king's question had to do with the social and material position of his family, which he had not worried about until then. .

Let us remember that Saul had promised to marry the victor to his daughter, and to free his father's house from taxes (1 Sam. 17:25; 18:18); He discovered that he had no reason to feel ashamed of associating with the young man's family.

The victory over Goliath marks another stage in David's life. David's courage, humility, and piety earned him the selfless and faithful affection of Jonathan, Saul's son (1 Sam. 18:1).

Saul no longer allowed David to periodically return home.