David

Da'vid (Heb. David', דָּוַד [in the full form, דָּוַיד in 1Ki 3:14, and in Chron., Ezra, Neh., Song of Solomon, Hos., Amos, Eze 34:23, and Zech.], affectionate or beloved; Arab. in common use Daoud; Sept. Δαυϊvδ, N.T. Δαβίδ, older MSS. Δαυείδ; Joseph. Δαυϊvδης), the second but most prominent of the line of Jewish kings. The prominence of this personage in the Old Testament history as well as in the Christian economy requires a full treatment of the subject here.

A. Personal Biography. — The authorities for the life of David may be divided into the following classes:

(I.) The original Hebrew authorities: