Grafted Biblical Concept · Person

David

דָּוִד · David · H1732

David is Israel's second king, founder of the Davidic dynasty, warrior, psalmist, and central figure in Messianic expectation.

910 Scripture references1 lexical sources111 supporting resources

Primary Study

Grafted Bible Dictionary

Definition

David is Israel's second king, founder of the Davidic dynasty, warrior, psalmist, and central figure in Messianic expectation.

Rise to Kingship

David's story appears primarily in:
• 1 Samuel 16–31
• 2 Samuel
• 1 Kings 1–2
He is anointed by Samuel while Saul is still king.

Jerusalem

David captures Temple, prophetic hope, Yeshua's death and resurrection, apostolic mission, and future restoration.">Jerusalem and makes it his capital.
He brings the Ark there.

Davidic Covenant

2 Samuel 7 contains God's foundational promise concerning David's house.
God promises an enduring dynasty.
This becomes one of Scripture's central Messianic trajectories.

Psalms

Many Psalms are attributed to David.
Davidic psalms contribute heavily to later Messianic interpretation.
Especially important are:
• Psalm 2
• Psalm 16
• Psalm 22
• Psalm 110

Sin and Repentance

David is not portrayed as morally flawless.
His sin involving Bathsheba and Uriah demonstrates severe covenant failure.
Psalm 51 traditionally reflects his repentance.

Messiah

Yeshua is repeatedly identified as Son of David.
The title signals royal Messianic expectation.

Hebrew and Greek Word Study

Hebrew Word Study

דָּוִד

Dâvid · H1732

Original Word: דָּוִד
Transliteration: Dâvid
Strong’s: H1732
Pronunciation: daw-veed'

Unified Lexical Definition

David, the youngest son of Jesse

Lexical Sources

BDBOpen Scriptures Hebrew Bible lexical data / BDB-Strong mapping

David, the youngest son of Jesse

View original lexicon entry

{
    "type": "hebrew-lexicon",
    "slug": "h1732",
    "title": "דָּוִד",
    "source": "Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible lexical data / BDB-Strong mapping",
    "strong": "H1732",
    "language": "hebrew",
    "lemma": "דָּוִד",
    "transliteration": "Dâvid",
    "pronunciation": "daw-veed'",
    "part_of_speech": "",
    "meaning": "",
    "description": "",
    "definition": "David, the youngest son of Jesse",
    "glosses": [
        "David",
        "David."
    ],
    "lexical_summary": [],
    "exhaustive_concordance": [],
    "brown_driver_briggs": [],
    "topical_lexicon": [],
    "occurrences": [
        "08.004.017",
        "08.004.022",
        "09.016.013",
        "09.016.019",
        "09.016.020",
        "09.016.021",
        "09.016.022",
        "09.016.023",
        "09.017.012",
        "09.017.014",
        "09.017.015",
        "09.017.017",
        "09.017.020",
        "09.017.022",
        "09.017.023",
        "09.017.026",
        "09.017.028",
        "09.017.029",
        "09.017.031",
        "09.017.032",
        "09.017.033",
        "09.017.034",
        "09.017.037",
        "09.017.038",
        "09.017.039",
        "09.017.041",
        "09.017.042",
        "09.017.043",
        "09.017.044",
        "09.017.045",
        "09.017.048",
        "09.017.049",
        "09.017.050",
        "09.017.051",
        "09.017.054",
        "09.017.055",
        "09.017.057",
        "09.017.058",
        "09.018.001",
        "09.018.003",
        "09.018.004",
        "09.018.005",
        "09.018.006",
        "09.018.007",
        "09.018.008",
        "09.018.009",
        "09.018.010",
        "09.018.011",
        "09.018.012",
        "09.018.014",
        "09.018.016",
        "09.018.017",
        "09.018.018",
        "09.018.019",
        "09.018.020",
        "09.018.021",
        "09.018.022",
        "09.018.023",
        "09.018.024",
        "09.018.025",
        "09.018.026",
        "09.018.027",
        "09.018.028",
        "09.018.029",
        "09.018.030",
        "09.019.001",
        "09.019.002",
        "09.019.004",
        "09.019.005",
        "09.019.007",
        "09.019.008",
        "09.019.009",
        "09.019.010",
        "09.019.011",
        "09.019.012",
        "09.019.014",
        "09.019.015",
        "09.019.018",
        "09.019.019",
        "09.019.020",
        "09.019.022",
        "09.020.001",
        "09.020.003",
        "09.020.004",
        "09.020.005",
        "09.020.006",
        "09.020.010",
        "09.020.011",
        "09.020.012",
        "09.020.015",
        "09.020.016",
        "09.020.017",
        "09.020.024",
        "09.020.025",
        "09.020.027",
        "09.020.028",
        "09.020.033",
        "09.020.034",
        "09.020.035",
        "09.020.039",
        "09.020.041",
        "09.020.042",
        "09.021.002",
        "09.021.003",
        "09.021.005",
        "09.021.006",
        "09.021.009",
        "09.021.010",
        "09.021.011",
        "09.021.012",
        "09.021.013",
        "09.022.001",
        "09.022.003",
        "09.022.004",
        "09.022.005",
        "09.022.006",
        "09.022.014",
        "09.022.017",
        "09.022.020",
        "09.022.021",
        "09.022.022",
        "09.023.001",
        "09.023.002",
        "09.023.003",
        "09.023.004",
        "09.023.005",
        "09.023.006",
        "09.023.007",
        "09.023.008",
        "09.023.009",
        "09.023.010",
        "09.023.012",
        "09.023.013",
        "09.023.014",
        "09.023.015",
        "09.023.016",
        "09.023.018",
        "09.023.019",
        "09.023.024",
        "09.023.025",
        "09.023.026",
        "09.023.028",
        "09.024.001",
        "09.024.002",
        "09.024.003",
        "09.024.004",
        "09.024.005",
        "09.024.006",
        "09.024.008",
        "09.024.009",
        "09.024.010",
        "09.024.017",
        "09.024.018",
        "09.024.023",
        "09.025.001",
        "09.025.004",
        "09.025.005",
        "09.025.008",
        "09.025.009",
        "09.025.010",
        "09.025.012",
        "09.025.013",
        "09.025.014",
        "09.025.020",
        "09.025.021",
        "09.025.022",
        "09.025.023",
        "09.025.032",
        "09.025.035",
        "09.025.039",
        "09.025.040",
        "09.025.042",
        "09.025.043",
        "09.025.044",
        "09.026.001",
        "09.026.002",
        "09.026.003",
        "09.026.004",
        "09.026.005",
        "09.026.006",
        "09.026.007",
        "09.026.008",
        "09.026.009",
        "09.026.010",
        "09.026.012",
        "09.026.013",
        "09.026.014",
        "09.026.015",
        "09.026.017",
        "09.026.021",
        "09.026.022",
        "09.026.025",
        "09.027.001",
        "09.027.002",
        "09.027.003",
        "09.027.004",
        "09.027.005",
        "09.027.007",
        "09.027.008",
        "09.027.009",
        "09.027.010",
        "09.027.011",
        "09.027.012",
        "09.028.001",
        "09.028.002",
        "09.028.017",
        "09.029.002",
        "09.029.003",
        "09.029.005",
        "09.029.006",
        "09.029.008",
        "09.029.009",
        "09.029.011",
        "09.030.001",
        "09.030.003",
        "09.030.004",
        "09.030.005",
        "09.030.006",
        "09.030.007",
        "09.030.008",
        "09.030.009",
        "09.030.010",
        "09.030.011",
        "09.030.013",
        "09.030.015",
        "09.030.017",
        "09.030.018",
        "09.030.019",
        "09.030.020",
        "09.030.021",
        "09.030.022",
        "09.030.023",
        "09.030.026",
        "09.030.031",
        "10.001.001",
        "10.001.002",
        "10.001.003",
        "10.001.004",
        "10.001.005",
        "10.001.011",
        "10.001.013",
        "10.001.014",
        "10.001.015",
        "10.001.016",
        "10.001.017",
        "10.002.001",
        "10.002.002",
        "10.002.003",
        "10.002.004",
        "10.002.005",
        "10.002.010",
        "10.002.011",
        "10.002.013",
        "10.002.015",
        "10.002.017",
        "10.002.030",
        "10.002.031",
        "10.003.001",
        "10.003.002",
        "10.003.005",
        "10.003.006",
        "10.003.008",
        "10.003.009",
        "10.003.010",
        "10.003.012",
        "10.003.014",
        "10.003.017",
        "10.003.018",
        "10.003.019",
        "10.003.020",
        "10.003.021",
        "10.003.022",
        "10.003.026",
        "10.003.028",
        "10.003.031",
        "10.003.035",
        "10.004.008",
        "10.004.009",
        "10.004.012",
        "10.005.001",
        "10.005.003",
        "10.005.004",
        "10.005.006",
        "10.005.007",
        "10.005.008",
        "10.005.009",
        "10.005.010",
        "10.005.011",
        "10.005.012",
        "10.005.013",
        "10.005.017",
        "10.005.019",
        "10.005.020",
        "10.005.021",
        "10.005.023",
        "10.005.025",
        "10.006.001",
        "10.006.002",
        "10.006.005",
        "10.006.008",
        "10.006.009",
        "10.006.010",
        "10.006.012",
        "10.006.014",
        "10.006.015",
        "10.006.016",
        "10.006.017",
        "10.006.018",
        "10.006.020",
        "10.006.021",
        "10.007.005",
        "10.007.008",
        "10.007.017",
        "10.007.018",
        "10.007.020",
        "10.007.026",
        "10.008.001",
        "10.008.002",
        "10.008.003",
        "10.008.004",
        "10.008.005",
        "10.008.006",
        "10.008.007",
        "10.008.008",
        "10.008.009",
        "10.008.010",
        "10.008.011",
        "10.008.013",
        "10.008.014",
        "10.008.015",
        "10.008.018",
        "10.009.001",
        "10.009.002",
        "10.009.005",
        "10.009.006",
        "10.009.007",
        "10.010.002",
        "10.010.003",
        "10.010.004",
        "10.010.005",
        "10.010.006",
        "10.010.007",
        "10.010.017",
        "10.010.018",
        "10.011.001",
        "10.011.002",
        "10.011.003",
        "10.011.004",
        "10.011.005",
        "10.011.006",
        "10.011.007",
        "10.011.008",
        "10.011.010",
        "10.011.011",
        "10.011.012",
        "10.011.013",
        "10.011.014",
        "10.011.017",
        "10.011.018",
        "10.011.022",
        "10.011.023",
        "10.011.025",
        "10.011.027",
        "10.012.001",
        "10.012.005",
        "10.012.007",
        "10.012.013",
        "10.012.015",
        "10.012.016",
        "10.012.018",
        "10.012.019",
        "10.012.020",
        "10.012.024",
        "10.012.027",
        "10.012.029",
        "10.012.030",
        "10.012.031",
        "10.013.001",
        "10.013.003",
        "10.013.007",
        "10.013.021",
        "10.013.030",
        "10.013.032",
        "10.013.039",
        "10.015.012",
        "10.015.013",
        "10.015.014",
        "10.015.022",
        "10.015.030",
        "10.015.031",
        "10.015.032",
        "10.015.033",
        "10.015.037",
        "10.016.001",
        "10.016.005",
        "10.016.006",
        "10.016.010",
        "10.016.011",
        "10.016.013",
        "10.016.016",
        "10.016.023",
        "10.017.001",
        "10.017.016",
        "10.017.017",
        "10.017.021",
        "10.017.022",
        "10.017.024",
        "10.017.027",
        "10.017.029",
        "10.018.001",
        "10.018.002",
        "10.018.007",
        "10.018.009",
        "10.018.024",
        "10.019.012",
        "10.019.017",
        "10.019.023",
        "10.019.042",
        "10.019.044",
        "10.020.001",
        "10.020.002",
        "10.020.003",
        "10.020.006",
        "10.020.011",
        "10.020.021",
        "10.020.026",
        "10.021.001",
        "10.021.003",
        "10.021.007",
        "10.021.011",
        "10.021.012",
        "10.021.015",
        "10.021.016",
        "10.021.017",
        "10.021.021",
        "10.021.022",
        "10.022.001",
        "10.022.051",
        "10.023.001",
        "10.023.008",
        "10.023.009",
        "10.023.013",
        "10.023.014",
        "10.023.015",
        "10.023.016",
        "10.023.023",
        "10.024.001",
        "10.024.010",
        "10.024.011",
        "10.024.012",
        "10.024.013",
        "10.024.014",
        "10.024.017",
        "10.024.018",
        "10.024.019",
        "10.024.021",
        "10.024.022",
        "10.024.024",
        "10.024.025",
        "11.001.001",
        "11.001.008",
        "11.001.011",
        "11.001.013",
        "11.001.028",
        "11.001.031",
        "11.001.032",
        "11.001.037",
        "11.001.038",
        "11.001.043",
        "11.001.047",
        "11.002.001",
        "11.002.010",
        "11.002.011",
        "11.002.012",
        "11.002.024",
        "11.002.026",
        "11.002.032",
        "11.002.033",
        "11.002.044",
        "11.002.045",
        "11.003.001",
        "11.003.003",
        "11.003.006",
        "11.003.007",
        "11.003.014",
        "11.005.015",
        "11.005.017",
        "11.005.019",
        "11.005.021",
        "11.006.012",
        "11.007.051",
        "11.008.001",
        "11.008.015",
        "11.008.016",
        "11.008.017",
        "11.008.018",
        "11.008.020",
        "11.008.024",
        "11.008.025",
        "11.008.026",
        "11.008.066",
        "11.009.004",
        "11.009.005",
        "11.009.024",
        "11.011.004",
        "11.011.006",
        "11.011.012",
        "11.011.013",
        "11.011.015",
        "11.011.021",
        "11.011.024",
        "11.011.027",
        "11.011.032",
        "11.011.033",
        "11.011.034",
        "11.011.036",
        "11.011.038",
        "11.011.039",
        "11.011.043",
        "11.012.016",
        "11.012.019",
        "11.012.020",
        "11.012.026",
        "11.013.002",
        "11.014.008",
        "11.014.031",
        "11.015.003",
        "11.015.004",
        "11.015.005",
        "11.015.008",
        "11.015.011",
        "11.015.024",
        "11.022.051",
        "12.008.019",
        "12.008.024",
        "12.009.028",
        "12.011.010",
        "12.012.022",
        "12.014.003",
        "12.014.020",
        "12.015.007",
        "12.015.038",
        "12.016.002",
        "12.016.020",
        "12.017.021",
        "12.018.003",
        "12.019.034",
        "12.020.005",
        "12.020.006",
        "12.021.007",
        "12.022.002",
        "13.002.015",
        "13.003.001",
        "13.003.009",
        "13.004.031",
        "13.006.016",
        "13.007.002",
        "13.009.022",
        "13.010.014",
        "13.011.001",
        "13.011.003",
        "13.011.004",
        "13.011.005",
        "13.011.006",
        "13.011.007",
        "13.011.009",
        "13.011.010",
        "13.011.011",
        "13.011.013",
        "13.011.015",
        "13.011.016",
        "13.011.017",
        "13.011.018",
        "13.011.025",
        "13.012.001",
        "13.012.009",
        "13.012.017",
        "13.012.018",
        "13.012.019",
        "13.012.020",
        "13.012.022",
        "13.012.023",
        "13.012.024",
        "13.012.032",
        "13.012.039",
        "13.012.040",
        "13.013.001",
        "13.013.002",
        "13.013.005",
        "13.013.006",
        "13.013.008",
        "13.013.011",
        "13.013.012",
        "13.013.013",
        "13.014.001",
        "13.014.002",
        "13.014.003",
        "13.014.008",
        "13.014.010",
        "13.014.011",
        "13.014.012",
        "13.014.014",
        "13.014.016",
        "13.014.017",
        "13.015.001",
        "13.015.002",
        "13.015.003",
        "13.015.004",
        "13.015.011",
        "13.015.016",
        "13.015.025",
        "13.015.027",
        "13.015.029",
        "13.016.001",
        "13.016.002",
        "13.016.007",
        "13.016.043",
        "13.017.001",
        "13.017.002",
        "13.017.004",
        "13.017.007",
        "13.017.015",
        "13.017.016",
        "13.017.018",
        "13.017.024",
        "13.018.001",
        "13.018.002",
        "13.018.003",
        "13.018.004",
        "13.018.005",
        "13.018.006",
        "13.018.007",
        "13.018.008",
        "13.018.009",
        "13.018.010",
        "13.018.011",
        "13.018.013",
        "13.018.014",
        "13.018.017",
        "13.019.002",
        "13.019.003",
        "13.019.004",
        "13.019.005",
        "13.019.006",
        "13.019.008",
        "13.019.017",
        "13.019.018",
        "13.019.019",
        "13.020.001",
        "13.020.002",
        "13.020.003",
        "13.020.007",
        "13.020.008",
        "13.021.001",
        "13.021.002",
        "13.021.005",
        "13.021.008",
        "13.021.009",
        "13.021.010",
        "13.021.011",
        "13.021.013",
        "13.021.016",
        "13.021.017",
        "13.021.018",
        "13.021.019",
        "13.021.021",
        "13.021.022",
        "13.021.023",
        "13.021.024",
        "13.021.025",
        "13.021.026",
        "13.021.028",
        "13.021.030",
        "13.022.001",
        "13.022.002",
        "13.022.003",
        "13.022.004",
        "13.022.005",
        "13.022.007",
        "13.022.017",
        "13.023.001",
        "13.023.006",
        "13.023.025",
        "13.023.027",
        "13.024.003",
        "13.024.031",
        "13.025.001",
        "13.026.026",
        "13.026.031",
        "13.026.032",
        "13.027.018",
        "13.027.023",
        "13.027.024",
        "13.027.031",
        "13.027.032",
        "13.028.001",
        "13.028.002",
        "13.028.011",
        "13.028.020",
        "13.029.001",
        "13.029.009",
        "13.029.010",
        "13.029.020",
        "13.029.022",
        "13.029.023",
        "13.029.024",
        "13.029.026",
        "13.029.029",
        "14.001.001",
        "14.001.004",
        "14.001.008",
        "14.001.009",
        "14.002.002",
        "14.002.006",
        "14.002.011",
        "14.002.013",
        "14.002.016",
        "14.003.001",
        "14.005.001",
        "14.005.002",
        "14.006.004",
        "14.006.006",
        "14.006.007",
        "14.006.008",
        "14.006.010",
        "14.006.015",
        "14.006.016",
        "14.006.017",
        "14.006.042",
        "14.007.006",
        "14.007.010",
        "14.007.017",
        "14.007.018",
        "14.008.011",
        "14.008.014",
        "14.009.031",
        "14.010.016",
        "14.010.019",
        "14.011.017",
        "14.011.018",
        "14.012.016",
        "14.013.005",
        "14.013.006",
        "14.013.008",
        "14.013.023",
        "14.016.014",
        "14.017.003",
        "14.021.001",
        "14.021.007",
        "14.021.012",
        "14.021.020",
        "14.023.003",
        "14.023.009",
        "14.023.018",
        "14.024.016",
        "14.024.025",
        "14.027.009",
        "14.028.001",
        "14.029.002",
        "14.029.025",
        "14.029.026",
        "14.029.027",
        "14.029.030",
        "14.030.026",
        "14.032.005",
        "14.032.030",
        "14.032.033",
        "14.033.007",
        "14.033.014",
        "14.034.002",
        "14.034.003",
        "14.035.003",
        "14.035.004",
        "14.035.015",
        "15.003.010",
        "15.008.002",
        "15.008.020",
        "16.003.015",
        "16.003.016",
        "16.012.024",
        "16.012.036",
        "16.012.037",
        "16.012.045",
        "16.012.046",
        "19.003.001",
        "19.004.001",
        "19.005.001",
        "19.006.001",
        "19.007.001",
        "19.008.001",
        "19.009.001",
        "19.011.001",
        "19.012.001",
        "19.013.001",
        "19.014.001",
        "19.015.001",
        "19.016.001",
        "19.017.001",
        "19.018.001",
        "19.018.051",
        "19.019.001",
        "19.020.001",
        "19.021.001",
        "19.022.001",
        "19.023.001",
        "19.024.001",
        "19.025.001",
        "19.026.001",
        "19.027.001",
        "19.028.001",
        "19.029.001",
        "19.030.001",
        "19.031.001",
        "19.032.001",
        "19.034.001",
        "19.035.001",
        "19.036.001",
        "19.037.001",
        "19.038.001",
        "19.039.001",
        "19.040.001",
        "19.041.001",
        "19.051.001",
        "19.052.001",
        "19.052.002",
        "19.053.001",
        "19.054.001",
        "19.054.002",
        "19.055.001",
        "19.056.001",
        "19.057.001",
        "19.058.001",
        "19.059.001",
        "19.060.001",
        "19.061.001",
        "19.062.001",
        "19.063.001",
        "19.064.001",
        "19.065.001",
        "19.068.001",
        "19.069.001",
        "19.070.001",
        "19.072.020",
        "19.078.070",
        "19.086.001",
        "19.089.004",
        "19.089.021",
        "19.089.036",
        "19.089.050",
        "19.101.001",
        "19.103.001",
        "19.108.001",
        "19.109.001",
        "19.110.001",
        "19.122.001",
        "19.122.005",
        "19.124.001",
        "19.131.001",
        "19.132.001",
        "19.132.010",
        "19.132.011",
        "19.132.017",
        "19.133.001",
        "19.138.001",
        "19.139.001",
        "19.140.001",
        "19.141.001",
        "19.142.001",
        "19.143.001",
        "19.144.001",
        "19.144.010",
        "19.145.001",
        "20.001.001",
        "21.001.001",
        "22.004.004",
        "23.007.002",
        "23.007.013",
        "23.009.006",
        "23.016.005",
        "23.022.009",
        "23.022.022",
        "23.029.001",
        "23.037.035",
        "23.038.005",
        "23.055.003",
        "24.013.013",
        "24.017.025",
        "24.021.012",
        "24.022.002",
        "24.022.004",
        "24.022.030",
        "24.023.005",
        "24.029.016",
        "24.030.009",
        "24.033.015",
        "24.033.017",
        "24.033.021",
        "24.033.022",
        "24.033.026",
        "24.036.030",
        "26.034.023",
        "26.034.024",
        "26.037.024",
        "26.037.025",
        "28.003.005",
        "30.006.005",
        "30.009.011",
        "38.012.007",
        "38.012.008",
        "38.012.010",
        "38.012.012",
        "38.013.001"
    ],
    "references": [],
    "occurrence_count": 1075,
    "url": "bible/hebrew/h1732",
    "source_url": "https://github.com/openscriptures/strongs",
    "source_license": "CC BY-SA"
}

Hebrew Bible Usage

1,075 occurrences

First listed reference: Ruth 4:17

View All Hebrew Occurrences

Biblical Usage

Concordance and Scripture Usage

910Exact Lemma127Conceptual Relationship

Prophets / Historical Books · 784

Writings / Wisdom · 89

Prophets · 37

Reference Works

Bible Dictionary, Encyclopedia, and Names

Unified Dictionary Summary

David is Israel's second king, founder of the Davidic dynasty, warrior, psalmist, and central figure in Messianic expectation.

Hitchcock’s Bible Names Dictionary (1869)

well-beloved, dear

Sources: Hitchcock’s Bible Names Dictionary (1869)

A Biblical and Theological Dictionary

the celebrated king of Israel, was the youngest son of Jesse, of the tribe of Judah, and was born 1085 years before Christ. The following is an abstract of his history: He was chosen of God to be king of Israel, and at his command was anointed to this dignity by the hands of Samuel, a venerable prophet, in the room of Saul; who had been rejected for his disobedience to the divine orders, in feloniously seizing, to his own use the prey of an enemy, which God, the supreme King of Israel, had devoted to destruction. He was introduced to court as a man expert in music, a singularly valiant man, a man of war, prudent in matters, of a comely person, and one favoured of the Lord. By his skill in music, he relieved Saul under a melancholy indisposition that had seized him, was highly beloved by his royal master, and made one of his guards. In a war with the Philistines he accepted the challenge of a gigantic champion, who defied the armies of Israel, and being skilful at the sling, he slew him with a stone, returned safely with his head, and thus secured to his prince an easy victory over his country’s enemies. The reputation he gained, by this glorious action, raised an incurable jealousy and resentment against him, in the mind of the king his master; who made two unsuccessful attempts to murder him. In his exalted station, and amidst the dangers that encompassed him, he behaved with singular prudence, so that he was in high esteem both in the court and camp. The modesty and prudence of his behaviour, and his approved courage and resolution, gained him the confidence and friendship of Jonathan, the king’s eldest son, “who loved him as his own soul,” became his advocate with his father, and obtained from him a promise, confirmed by an oath, that he would no more attempt to destroy him. But Saul’s jealousy returned by a fresh victory David gained over the Philistines; who, finding the king was determined to seek his life, retired from court, and was dismissed in peace by Jonathan, after a solemn renewal of their friendship, to provide for his own safety. In this state of banishment, there resorted to him companies of men, who were uneasy in their circumstances, oppressed by their creditors, or discontented with Saul’s tyrannical government, to the number of six hundred men. These he kept in the most excellent order, and by their valour he gained signal advantages for his country; but never employed them in rebellion against the king, or in a single instance to distress or subvert his government. On the contrary such was the veneration he paid him, and such the generosity of his temper, that though it was thrice in his power to have him cut off, he spared him, and was determined never to destroy him, whom God had constituted the king of Israel. His friendship with Jonathan, the king’s son, was a friendship of strict honour, for he never seduced him from his allegiance and filial duty. Being provoked by a churlish farmer, who evil treated and abused his messengers, he, in the warmth of his temper, swore he would destroy him and his family; but was immediately pacified by the address and prudence of a wife, of whom the wretch was unworthy: her he sent in peace and honour to her family, and blessed for her advice, and keeping him from avenging himself with his own hand. Being forced to banish himself into an enemy’s country, he was faithful to the prince who protected him: and, at the same time, mindful of the interest of his own nation, he cut off many of those who had harassed and plundered his fellow subjects. When pressed by the king, into whose dominions he retired, to join in a war against his own country and father-in-law, he prudently gave him such an answer as his situation required; neither promising the aid demanded of him, nor tying up his hands from serving his own prince, and the army that fought under him; only assuring him in general, that he had never done any thing that could give him just reason to think he would refuse to assist him against his enemies. Upon the death of Saul, he cut off the Amalekite who came to make a merit of having slain him; and by the immediate direction of God, who had promised him the succession, went up to Hebron, where, on a free election, he was anointed king over the house of Judah; and after about a seven years’ contest, he was unanimously chosen king by all the tribes of Israel, “according to the word of the Lord by Samuel.” As king of Israel, he administered justice and judgment to all his people, was a prince of courage, and great military prudence and conduct; had frequent wars with the neighbouring nations, to which he was generally forced by their invading his dominions, and plundering his subjects. Against them he never lost a battle; he never besieged a city without taking it; nor, as for any thing that can be proved, used any severities against those he conquered, beyond what the law of arms allowed, his own safety required, or the cruelties of his enemies rendered just, by way of retaliation; enriching his people by the spoils he took, and providing large stores of every thing necessary for the magnificent temple he intended to erect, in honour of the God of Israel. Having rescued Jerusalem out of the hands of the Jebusites, he made it the capital of his kingdom, and the place of his residence; and being willing to honour it with the presence of the ark of God, he brought it to Jerusalem in triumph, and divesting himself of his royal robes, out of reverence to God, he clothed himself in the habit of his ministers, and with them expressed his joy by dancing and music; contemned only by one haughty woman; whom, as a just punishment of her insolence, he seems ever after to have separated from his bed. Though his crimes were henious, and highly aggravated, in the affair of Uriah and Bathsheba, he patiently endured reproof, humbly submitted to the punishment appointed him, deeply repented, and obtained mercy and forgiveness from God, though not without some severe marks of his displeasure, for the grievous offences of which he had been guilty. A rebellion was raised against him by his son Absalom. When forced by it to depart from Jerusalem, a circumstance most pathetically described by the sacred historian, he prevented the just punishment of Shimei, a wretch who cursed and stoned him. When restored to his throne, he spared him upon his submission, and would not permit a single man to be put to death in Israel upon account of this treason. He, with a noble confidence, made the commander of the rebel forces general of his own army, in the room of Joab, whom he intended to call to an account for murder and other crimes. After this, when obliged, by the command of God, to give up some of Saul’s family to justice, for the murder of the Gibeonites, he spared Mephibosheth, Micah, and his family, the male descendants of Saul and Jonathan, who alone could have any pretence to dispute the crown with him, and surrendered only Saul’s bastard children, and those of his daughter by Adriel, who had no right or possible claim to the throne, and could never give him any uneasiness in the possession of it; and thus showed his inviolable regard for his oaths, his tenderness to Saul, and the warmth of his gratitude and friendship to Jonathan. In the close of his life, and in the near prospect of death, to demonstrate his love of justice, he charged Solomon to punish with death Joab, for the base murder of two great men, whom he assassinated under the pretence of peace and friendship. To this catalogue of his noble actions must be added, that he gave the most shining and indisputable proofs of an undissembled reverence for, and sincere piety to, God; ever obeying the direction of his prophets, worshipping him alone, to the exclusion of all idols, throughout the whole of his life, and making the wisest settlement to perpetuate the worship of the same God, through all succeeding generations. To this abstract a few miscellaneous remarks may be added. 1. When David is called “the man after God’s own heart,” a phrase which profane persons have often perverted, his general character, and not every particular of it, is to be understood as approved by God; and especially his faithful and undeviating adherence to the true religion, from which he never deviated into any act of idolatry. 2. He was chosen to accomplish to their full extent the promises made to Abraham to give to his seed, the whole country from the river of Egypt to the great river Euphrates. He had succeeded to a kingdom distracted with civil dissension, environed on every side by powerful and victorious enemies, without a capital, almost without an army, without any bond of union between the tribes. He left a compact and united state, stretching from the frontier of Egypt to the foot of Lebanon, from the Euphrates to the sea. He had crushed the power of the Philistines, subdued or curbed all the adjacent kingdoms: he had formed a lasting and important alliance with the great city of Tyre. He had organized an immense disposable force; for every month 24,000 men, furnished in rotation by the tribes, appeared in arms, and were trained as the standing militia of the country. At the head of his army were officers of consummate experience, and, what was more highly esteemed in the warfare of the time, extraordinary personal activity, strength, and valour. The Hebrew nation owed the long peace of Solomon the son’s reign to the bravery and wisdom of the father. 3. As a conqueror he was a type of Christ, and the country “from the river to the ends of the earth,” was also the prophetic type of Christ’s dominion over the whole earth. 4. His inspired psalms not only place him among the most eminent prophets; but have rendered him the leader of the devotions of good men, in all ages. The hymns of David excel no less in sublimity and tenderness of expression than in loftiness and purity of religious sentiment. In comparison with them the sacred poetry of all other nations sinks into mediocrity. They have embodied so exquisitely the universal language of religious emotion, that they have entered with unquestioned propriety into the ritual of the higher and more perfect religion of Christ. The songs which cheered the solitude of the desert caves of Engedi, or resounded from the voice of the Hebrew people as they wound along the glens or the hill sides of Judea, have been repeated for ages in almost every part of the habitable world, in the remotest islands of the ocean, among the forests of America or the sands of Africa. How many human hearts have these inspired songs softened, purified, exalted! Of how many wretched beings have they been the secret consolation! On how many communities have they drawn down the blessings of Divine providence, by bringing the affections into unison with their deep devotional fervour, and leading to a constant and explicit recognition of the government, rights, and mercies of God!

Sources: A Biblical and Theological Dictionary

Connections

Cross References

Prophets

Micah 5:2Matthew cites Micah when identifying Bethlehem as the ruler's birthplace.

Davidic Covenant

The Davidic Covenant refers to God's promises concerning David's dynasty, throne, kingdom, and royal descendant.

Son of David

Son of David is a royal and Messianic title identifying an heir to David's throne and, in New Testament usage, particularly identifying Yeshua as the promised Davidic Messiah.

Messiah

Messiah means "anointed one." The Greek equivalent is Christos, from which the English title Christ derives.

Jerusalem

Jerusalem is the central biblical city associated with Davidic kingship, the Temple, prophetic hope, Yeshua's death and resurrection, apostolic mission, and future restoration.

Zion

Zion originally refers to a specific stronghold in Jerusalem but develops into a major biblical symbol for Jerusalem, God's dwelling, His people, His Kingdom, and future restoration.

Kingdom of God

The Kingdom of God refers primarily to God's reign, kingship, and sovereign rule rather than merely a geographical location.

DAVID

Nave’s Topical Bible references for DAVID.

Aaronites

The descendants of Aaron, and therefore priests. Jehoiada, the father of Benaiah, led 3,700 Aaronites as "fighting men" to the support of David at Hebron (1 Chr. 12:27). Eleazar (Num. 3:32), and at a later period Zadok (1 Chr. 27:17), was their chief.

Abia

My father is the Lord, the Greek form of Abijah, or Abijam (Matt. 1:7), instead of Abiah (1 Chr. 7:8). In Luke 1:5, the name refers to the head of the eighth of the twenty-four courses into which David divided the priests (1 Chr. 24:10).

Abieezer

Father of help; i.e., "helpful." (1.) The second of the three sons of Hammoleketh, the sister of Gilead. He was the grandson of Manasseh (1 Chr. 7:18). From his family Gideon sprang (Josh. 17:2; comp. Judg. 6:34; 8:2). He was also called Jeezer (Num. 26:30). (2.) One of David's thirty warriors (2 Sam. 23:27; comp. 1 Chr. 27:12). (3.) The prince of the tribe of Dan at the Exodus (Num. 1:12).

Adina

Slender, one of David's warriors (1 Chr. 11:42), a Reubenite.

Adino

The Eznite, one of David's mighty men (2 Sam. 23:8). (See [15]JASHOBEAM.)

Ahohite

An epithet applied to Dodo, one of Solomon's captains (1 Chr. 27:4); to his son Eleazar, one of David's three mightiest heroes (2 Sam. 23:9; 1 Chr. 11:12); and to Zalmon, one of the thirty (2 Sam. 23:28; 1 Chr. 11:29), from their descent from Ahoah.

Allegory

Used only in Gal. 4:24, where the apostle refers to the history of Isaac the free-born, and Ishmael the slave-born, and makes use of it allegorically. Every parable is an allegory. Nathan (2 Sam. 12:1-4) addresses David in an allegorical narrative. In the eightieth Psalm there is a beautiful allegory: "Thou broughtest a vine out of Egypt," etc. In Eccl. 12:2-6, there is a striking allegorical description of old age.

Arbathite

A name given to Abi-albon, or, as elsewhere called, Abiel, one of David's warriors (2 Sam. 23:31; 1 Chr. 11:32), probably as being an inhabitant of Arabah (Josh. 15:61), a town in the wilderness of Judah.

Archite

The usual designation of Hushai (2 Sam. 15:32; 17:5, 14; 1 Chr. 27:33), who was a native of Archi. He was "the king's friend", i.e., he held office under David similar to that of our modern privy councillor.

Armoni

Inhabitant of a fortress, the first-named of the two sons of Saul and Rizpah. He was delivered up to the Gibeonites by David, and hanged by them (2 Sam. 21:8, 9).

Armoury

The place in which armour was deposited when not used (Neh. 3:19; Jer. 50:25). At first each man of the Hebrews had his own arms, because all went to war. There were no arsenals or magazines for arms till the time of David, who had a large collection of arms, which he consecrated to the Lord in his tabernacle (1 Sa,. 21:9; 2 Sam. 8:7-12; 1 Chr. 26:26, 27).

Baal-hanan

Lord of grace. (1.) A king of Edom, son of Achbor (Gen. 36:38, 39; 1 Chr. 1:49, 50). (2.) An overseer of "the olive trees and sycomore trees in the low plains" (the Shephelah) under David (1 Chr. 27:28).

Baale of Judah

Lords of Judah, a city in the tribe of Judah from which David brought the ark into Jerusalem (2 Sam. 6:2). Elsewhere (1 Chr. 13:6) called Kirjath-jearim. (See [42]BAALAH.)

Bani

Built. (1.) 1 Chr. 6:46. (2.) One of David's thirty-seven warriors, a Gadite (2 Sam. 23:36). (3.) Ezra 2:10; 10:29, 34, 38. (4.) A Levite who was prominent in the reforms on the return from Babylon (Neh. 8:7; 9:4, 5). His son Rehum took part in rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem (Neh. 3:17).

Bath-sheba

Daughter of the oath, or of seven, called also Bath-shu'a (1 Chr. 3:5), was the daughter of Eliam (2 Sam. 11:3) or Ammiel (1 Chr. 3:5), and wife of Uriah the Hittite. David committed adultery with her (2 Sam. 11:4, 5; Ps. 51:1). The child born in adultery died (2 Sam. 12:15-19). After her husband was slain (11:15) she was married to David (11:27), and became the mother of Solomon (12:24; 1 Kings 1:11; 2:13). She took a prominent part in securing the succession of Solomon to the throne (1 Kings 1:11, 16-21).

Battle-bow

The war-bow used in fighting (Zech. 9:10; 10:4). "Thy bow was made quite naked" (Hab. 3:9) means that it was made ready for use. By David's order (2 Sam. 1:18) the young men were taught the use, or rather the song of the bow. (See [52]ARMOUR, [53]BOW.)

Beans

Mentioned in 2 Sam. 17:28 as having been brought to David when flying from Absalom. They formed a constituent in the bread Ezekiel (4:9) was commanded to make, as they were in general much used as an article of diet. They are extensively cultivated in Egypt and Arabia and Syria.

Bear

A native of the mountain regions of Western Asia, frequently mentioned in Scripture. David defended his flocks against the attacks of a bear (1 Sam. 17:34-37). Bears came out of the wood and destroyed the children who mocked the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 2:24). Their habits are referred to in Isa. 59:11; Prov. 28:15; Lam. 3:10. The fury of the female bear when robbed of her young is spoken of (2 Sam. 17:8; Prov. 17:12; Hos. 13:8). In Daniel's vision of the four great monarchies, the Medo-Persian empire is represented by a bear (7:5).

Bethlehem

House of bread. (1.) A city in the "hill country" of Judah. It was originally called Ephrath (Gen. 35:16, 19; 48:7; Ruth 4:11). It was also called Beth-lehem Ephratah (Micah 5:2), Beth-lehem-judah (1 Sam. 17:12), and "the city of David" (Luke 2:4). It is first noticed in Scripture as the place where Rachel died and was buried "by the wayside," directly to the north of the city (Gen. 48:7). The valley to the east was the scene of the story of Ruth the Moabitess. There are the fields in which she gleaned, and the path by which she and Naomi returned to the town. Here was David's birth-place, and here also, in after years, he was anointed as king by Samuel (1 Sam. 16:4-13); and it was from the well of Bethlehem that three of his heroes brought water for him at the risk of their lives when he was in the cave of Adullam (2 Sam. 23:13-17). But it was distinguished above every other city as the birth-place of "Him whose goings forth have been of old" (Matt. 2:6; comp. Micah 5:2). Afterwards Herod, "when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men," sent and slew "all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under" (Matt. 2:16, 18; Jer. 31:15). Bethlehem bears the modern name of Beit-Lahm, i.e., "house of flesh." It is about 5 miles south of Jerusalem, standing at an elevation of about 2,550 feet above the sea, thus 100 feet higher than Jerusalem. There is a church still existing, built by Constantine the Great (A.D. 330), called the "Church of the Nativity," over a grotto or cave called the "holy crypt," and said to be the "stable" in which Jesus was born. This is perhaps the oldest existing Christian church in the world. Close to it is another grotto, where Jerome the Latin father is said to have spent thirty years of his life in translating the Scriptures into Latin. (See [67]VERSION.) (2.) A city of Zebulun, mentioned only in Josh. 19:15. Now Beit-Lahm, a ruined village about 6 miles west-north-west of Nazareth.

Booty

Captives or cattle or objects of value taken in war. In Canaan all that breathed were to be destroyed (Deut. 20: 16). The "pictures and images" of the Canaanites were to be destroyed also (Num. 33:52). The law of booty as to its division is laid down in Num. 31:26-47. David afterwards introduced a regulation that the baggage-guard should share the booty equally with the soldiers engaged in battle. He also devoted of the spoils of war for the temple (1 Sam. 30:24-26; 2 Sam. 8:11; 1 Chr. 26:27).

Cherethim

(Ezek. 25:16), more frequently Cherethites, the inhabitants of Southern Philistia, the Philistines (Zeph. 2:5). The Cherethites and the Pelethites were David's life-guards (1 Sam. 30:14; 2 Sam. 8:18; 20:7, 23; 23:23). This name is by some interpreted as meaning "Cretans," and by others "executioners," who were ready to execute the king's sentence of death (Gen. 37:36, marg.; 1 Kings 2:25).

Chief of the three

A title given to Adino the Eznite, one of David's greatest heroes (2 Sam. 23:8); also called Jashobeam (1 Chr. 11:11).

Chileab

Protected by the father, David's second son by Abigail (2 Sam. 3:3); called also Daniel (1 Chr. 3:1). He seems to have died when young.

Chor-ashan

Smoking furnace, one of the places where "David himself and his men were wont to haunt" (1 Sam. 30:30, 31). It is probably identical with Ashan (Josh. 15:42; 19:7), a Simeonite city in the Negeb, i.e., the south, belonging to Judah. The word ought, according to another reading, to be "Bor-ashan."

Chronicles of king David

(1 Chr. 27:24) were statistical state records; one of the public sources from which the compiler of the Books of Chronicles derived information on various public matters.

Conduit

A water-course or channel (Job 38:25). The "conduit of the upper pool" (Isa. 7:3) was formed by Hezekiah for the purpose of conveying the waters from the upper pool in the valley of Gihon to the west side of the city of David (2 Kings 18:17; 20:20; 2 Chr. 32:30). In carrying out this work he stopped "the waters of the fountains which were without the city" i.e., "the upper water-course of Gihon", and conveyed it down from the west through a canal into the city, so that in case of a siege the inhabitants of the city might have a supply of water, which would thus be withdrawn from the enemy. (See [123]SILOAM.) There are also the remains of a conduit which conducted water from the so-called "Pools of Solomon," beyond Bethlehem, into the city. Water is still conveyed into the city from the fountains which supplied these pools by a channel which crosses the valley of Hinnom.

Courses

When David was not permitted to build the temple, he proceeded, among the last acts of his life, with the assistance of Zadok and Ahimelech, to organize the priestly and musical services to be conducted in the house of God. (1.) He divided the priests into twenty-four courses (1 Chr. 24:1-19), sixteen being of the house of Eleazar and eight of that of Ithamar. Each course was under a head or chief, and ministered for a week, the order being determined by lot. (2.) The rest of the 38,000 Levites (23:4) were divided also into twenty-four courses, each to render some allotted service in public worship: 4,000 in twenty-four courses were set apart as singers and musicians under separate leaders (25); 4,000 as porters or keepers of the doors and gates of the sanctuary (26:1-19); and 6,000 as officers and judges to see to the administration of the law in all civil and ecclesiastical matters (20-32). This arrangement was re-established by Hezekiah (2 Chr. 31:2); and afterwards the four sacerdotal courses which are said to have returned from the Captivity were re-divided into the original number of twenty-four by Ezra (6:18).

Cushite

(1.) The messenger sent by Joab to David to announce his victory over Absalom (2 Sam. 18:32). (2.) The father of Shelemiah (Jer. 36:14). (3.) Son of Gedaliah, and father of the prophet Zephaniah (1:1). (4.) Moses married a Cushite woman (Num. 12:1). From this circumstance some have supposed that Zipporah was meant, and hence that Midian was Cush.

David, City of

(1.) David took from the Jebusites the fortress of Mount Zion. He "dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David" (1 Chr. 11:7). This was the name afterwards given to the castle and royal palace on Mount Zion, as distinguished from Jerusalem generally (1 Kings 3:1; 8:1), It was on the south-west side of Jerusalem, opposite the temple mount, with which it was connected by a bridge over the Tyropoeon valley. (2) Bethlehem is called the "city of David" (Luke 2:4, 11), because it was David's birth-place and early home (1 Sam. 17:12).

David

well-beloved, dear

Edar

Tower of the flock, a tower between Bethlehem and Hebron, near which Jacob first halted after leaving Bethlehem (Gen. 35:21). In Micah 4:8 the word is rendered "tower of the flock" (marg., "Edar"), and is used as a designation of Bethlehem, which figuratively represents the royal line of David as sprung from Bethlehem.

Election of Grace

The Scripture speaks (1) of the election of individuals to office or to honour and privilege, e.g., Abraham, Jacob, Saul, David, Solomon, were all chosen by God for the positions they held; so also were the apostles. (2) There is also an election of nations to special privileges, e.g., the Hebrews (Deut. 7:6; Rom. 9:4). (3) But in addition there is an election of individuals to eternal life (2 Thess. 2:13; Eph. 1:4; 1 Pet. 1:2; John 13:18). The ground of this election to salvation is the good pleasure of God (Eph. 1:5, 11; Matt. 11:25, 26; John 15:16, 19). God claims the right so to do (Rom. 9:16, 21). It is not conditioned on faith or repentance, but is of soverign grace (Rom. 11:4-6; Eph. 1:3-6). All that pertain to salvation, the means (Eph. 2:8; 2 Thess. 2:13) as well as the end, are of God (Acts 5:31; 2 Tim. 2:25; 1 Cor. 1:30; Eph. 2:5, 10). Faith and repentance and all other graces are the exercises of a regenerated soul; and regeneration is God's work, a "new creature." Men are elected "to salvation," "to the adoption of sons," "to be holy and without blame before him in love" (2 Thess. 2:13; Gal. 4:4, 5; Eph. 1:4). The ultimate end of election is the praise of God's grace (Eph. 1:6, 12). (See [175]PREDESTINATION.)

Elipheleh

God will distinguish him, one of the porters appointed to play "on the Sheminith" on the occasion of the bringing up of the ark to the city of David (1 Chr. 15:18, 21).

Eliphelet

God his deliverance. (1.) One of David's distinguished warriors (2 Sam. 23:34); called also Eliphal in 1 Chr. 11:35. (2.) One of the sons of David born at Jerusalem (1 Chr. 3:6; 14:5); called Elpalet in 1 Chr. 14:5. Also another of David's sons (1 Chr. 3:8); called Eliphalet in 2 Sam. 5:16; 1 Chr. 14:7. (3.) A descendant of king Saul through Jonathan (1 Chr. 8:39).

Engedi

Fountain of the kid, place in the wilderness of Judah (Josh. 15:62), on the western shore of the Dead Sea (Ezek. 47:10), and nearly equidistant from both extremities. To the wilderness near this town David fled for fear of Saul (Josh. 15:62; 1 Sam. 23:29). It was at first called Hazezon-tamar (Gen. 14:7), a city of the Amorites. The vineyards of Engedi were celebrated in Solomon's time (Cant. 1:4). It is the modern Ain Jidy. The "fountain" from which it derives its name rises on the mountain side about 600 feet above the sea, and in its rapid descent spreads luxuriance all around it. Along its banks the osher grows abundantly. That shrub is thus described by Porter: "The stem is stout, measuring sometimes nearly a foot in diameter, and the plant grows to the height of 15 feet or more. It has a grayish bark and long oval leaves, which when broken off discharge a milky fluid. The fruit resembles an apple, and hangs in clusters of two or three. When ripe it is of a rich yellow colour, but on being pressed it explodes like a puff-ball. It is chiefly filled with air...This is the so-called apple of Sodom.'" Through Samaria, etc. (See [187]APPLE.)

Ephod

Something girt, a sacred vestment worn originally by the high priest (Ex. 28:4), afterwards by the ordinary priest (1 Sam. 22:18), and characteristic of his office (1 Sam. 2:18, 28; 14:3). It was worn by Samuel, and also by David (2 Sam. 6:14). It was made of fine linen, and consisted of two pieces, which hung from the neck, and covered both the back and front, above the tunic and outer garment (Ex. 28:31). That of the high priest was embroidered with divers colours. The two pieces were joined together over the shoulders (hence in Latin called superhumerale) by clasps or buckles of gold or precious stones, and fastened round the waist by a "curious girdle of gold, blue, purple, and fine twined linen" (28:6-12). The breastplate, with the Urim and Thummim, was attached to the ephod.

Ephraim, Wood of

A forest in which a fatal battle was fought between the army of David and that of Absalom, who was killed there (2 Sam. 18:6, 8). It lay on the east of Jordan, not far from Mahanaim, and was some part of the great forest of Gilead.

Flea

David at the cave of Adullam thus addressed his persecutor Saul (1 Sam. 24:14): "After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea?" He thus speaks of himself as the poor, contemptible object of the monarch's pursuit, a "worthy object truly for an expedition of the king of Israel with his picked troops!" This insect is in Eastern language the popular emblem of insignificance. In 1 Sam. 26:20 the LXX. read "come out to seek my life" instead of "to seek a flea."

Gederathite

An epithet applied to Josabad, one of David's warriors at Ziklag (1 Chr. 12:4), a native of Gederah.

Gittite

A native of the Philistine city of Gath (Josh. 13:3). Obed-edom, in whose house the ark was placed, is so designated (2 Sam. 6:10). Six hundred Gittites came with David from Gath into Israel (15:18, 19).

Gittith

A stringed instrument of music. This word is found in the titles of Ps. 8, 81, 84. In these places the LXX. render the word by "on the wine-fats." The Targum explains by "on the harp which David brought from Gath." It is the only stringed instrument named in the titles of the Psalms.

Hagarene

Or Hagarite. (1.) One of David's mighty men (1 Chr. 11:38), the son of a foreigner. (2.) Used of Jaziz (1 Chr. 27:31), who was over David's flocks. "A Hagarite had charge of David's flocks, and an Ishmaelite of his herds, because the animals were pastured in districts where these nomadic people were accustomed to feed their cattle." (3.) In the reign of Saul a great war was waged between the trans-Jordanic tribes and the Hagarites (1 Chr. 5), who were overcome in battle. A great booty was captured by the two tribes and a half, and they took possession of the land of the Hagarites. Subsequently the "Hagarenes," still residing in the land on the east of Jordan, entered into a conspiracy against Israel (comp. Ps. 83:6). They are distinguished from the Ishmaelites.

Hareth

Thicket, a wood in the mountains of Judah where David hid when pursued by Saul (1 Sam. 22:5). It was possibly while he was here that the memorable incident narrated in 2 Sam. 23:14-17, 1 Chr. 11:16-19 occurred. This place has not been identified, but perhaps it may be the modern Kharas, on the borders of the chain of mountains some 3 miles east of Keilah.

Harodite

An epithet applied to two of David's heroes (2 Sam. 23:25). (Comp. 1 Chr. 11:27.)

Heleb

Fatness, one of David's warriors (2 Sam. 23:29).

Hezro

A Carmelite, one of David's warriors (1 Chr. 11:37).

Hold

A fortress, the name given to David's lurking-places (1 Sam. 22:4, 5; 24:22).

Horse

Always referred to in the Bible in connection with warlike operations, except Isa. 28:28. The war-horse is described Job 39:19-25. For a long period after their settlement in Canaan the Israelites made no use of horses, according to the prohibition, Deut. 17:16. David was the first to form a force of cavalry (2 Sam. 8:4). But Solomon, from his connection with Egypt, greatly multiplied their number (1 Kings 4:26; 10:26, 29). After this, horses were freely used in Israel (1 Kings 22:4; 2 Kings 3:7; 9:21, 33; 11:16). The furniture of the horse consisted simply of a bridle (Isa. 30:28) and a curb (Ps. 32:9).

Hoshea

Salvation. (1.) The original name of the son of Nun, afterwards called Joshua (Num. 13:8, 16; Deut. 32:44). (2.) 1 Chr. 27:20. The ruler of Ephraim in David's time. (3.) The last king of Israel. He conspired against and slew his predecessor, Pekah (Isa. 7:16), but did not ascend the throne till after an interregnum of warfare of eight years (2 Kings 17:1, 2). Soon after this he submitted to Shalmaneser, the Assyrian king, who a second time invaded the land to punish Hoshea, because of his withholding tribute which he had promised to pay. A second revolt brought back the Assyrian king Sargon, who besieged Samaria, and carried the ten tribes away beyond the Euphrates, B.C. 720 (2 Kings 17:5, 6; 18:9-12). No more is heard of Hoshea. He disappeared like "foam upon the water" (Hos. 10:7; 13:11).

Hurai

Linen-worker, one of David's heroes, a native of the valley of Mount Gaash (1 Chr. 11:32).

Ilai

An Ahohite, one of David's chief warriors (1 Chr. 11:29); called also Zalmon (2 Sam. 23:28).

Iron

Tubal-Cain is the first-mentioned worker in iron (Gen. 4:22). The Egyptians wrought it at Sinai before the Exodus. David prepared it in great abundance for the temple (1 Chr. 22:3: 29:7). The merchants of Dan and Javan brought it to the market of Tyre (Ezek. 27:19). Various instruments are mentioned as made of iron (Deut. 27:5; 19:5; Josh. 17:16, 18; 1 Sam. 17:7; 2 Sam. 12:31; 2 Kings 6:5, 6; 1 Chr. 22:3; Isa. 10:34). Figuratively, a yoke of iron (Deut. 28:48) denotes hard service; a rod of iron (Ps. 2:9), a stern government; a pillar of iron (Jer. 1:18), a strong support; a furnace of iron (Deut. 4:20), severe labour; a bar of iron (Job 40:18), strength; fetters of iron (Ps. 107:10), affliction; giving silver for iron (Isa. 60:17), prosperity.

Ithrite

Two of David's warriors so designated (2 Sam. 23:38; 1 Chr. 11:40).

Ittai

Near; timely; or, with the Lord. (1.) A Benjamite, one of David's thirty heroes (2 Sam. 23:29). (2.) A native of Gath, a Philistine, who had apparently the command of the six hundred heroes who formed David's band during his wanderings (2 Sam. 15:19-22; comp. 1 Sam. 23:13; 27:2; 30:9, 10). He is afterwards with David at Mahanaim, holding in the army equal rank with Joab and Abishai (2 Sam. 18:2, 5, 12). He then passes from view.

Izrahite

The designation of one of David's officers (1 Chr. 27:8). __________________________________________________________________

Jaazer

He (God) helps, a city of the Amorites on the east of Jordan, and assigned, with neighbouring places in Gilead, to Gad (Num. 32:1, 35; Josh. 13:25). It was allotted to the Merarite Levites (21:39). In David's time it was occupied by the Hebronites, i.e., the descendants of Kohath (1 Chr. 26:31). It is mentioned in the "burdens" proclaimed over Moab (Isa. 16:8, 9; Jer. 48:32). Its site is marked by the modern ruin called Sar or Seir, about 10 miles west of Amman, and 12 from Heshbon. "The vineyards that once covered the hill-sides are gone; and the wild Bedawin from the eastern desert make cultivation of any kind impossible."

Jashen

Sleeping, called also Hashem (1 Chr. 11:34); a person, several of whose sons were in David's body-guard (2 Sam. 23:32).

Jehiel

God's living one. (1.) The father of Gibeon (1 Chr. 9:35). (2.) One of David's guard (1 Chr. 11:44). (3.) One of the Levites "of the second degree," appointed to conduct the music on the occasion of the ark's being removed to Jerusalem (1 Chr. 15:18, 20). (4.) A Hachmonite, a tutor in the family of David toward the close of his reign (1 Chr. 27:32). (5.) The second of Jehoshaphat's six sons (2 Chr. 21:2). (6.) One of the Levites of the family of Heman who assisted Hezekiah in his work of reformation (2 Chr. 29:14). (7.) A "prince" and "ruler of the house of God" who contributed liberally to the renewal of the temple sacrifices under Josiah (2 Chr. 35:8). (8.) The father of Obadiah (Ezra 8:9). (9.) One of the "sons" of Elam (Ezra 10:26). (10.) Ezra 10:21.

Jeziel

Assembled by God, a son of Azmaveth. He was one of the Benjamite archers who joined David at Ziklag (1 Chr. 12:3).

Judah, Kingdom of

When the disruption took place at Shechem, at first only the tribe of Judah followed the house of David. But very soon after the tribe of Benjamin joined the tribe of Judah, and Jerusalem became the capital of the new kingdom (Josh. 18:28), which was called the kingdom of Judah. It was very small in extent, being only about the size of the Scottish county of Perth. For the first sixty years the kings of Judah aimed at re-establishing their authority over the kingdom of the other ten tribes, so that there was a state of perpetual war between them. For the next eighty years there was no open war between them. For the most part they were in friendly alliance, co-operating against their common enemies, especially against Damascus. For about another century and a half Judah had a somewhat checkered existence after the termination of the kingdom of Israel till its final overthrow in the destruction of the temple (B.C. 588) by Nebuzar-adan, who was captain of Nebuchadnezzar's body-guard (2 Kings 25:8-21). The kingdom maintained a separate existence for three hundred and eighty-nine years. It occupied an area of 3,435 square miles. (See ISRAEL, KINGDOM [327]OF.)

Keilah

Citadel, a city in the lowlands of Judah (Josh. 15:44). David rescued it from the attack of the Philistines (1 Sam. 23:1-8); but the inhabitants proving unfaithful to him, in that they sought to deliver him up to Saul (13), he and his men "departed from Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go." They fled to the hill Hareth, about 3 miles to the east, and thence through Hebron to Ziph (q.v.). "And David was in the wilderness of Ziph, in a wood" (1 Sam. 23:15). Here Jonathan sought him out, "and strengthened his hand in God." This was the last interview between David and Jonathan (23:16-18). It is the modern Khurbet Kila. Others identify it with Khuweilfeh, between Beit Jibrin (Eleutheropolis) and Beersheba, mentioned in the Amarna tablets.

Kingdom of God

(Matt. 6:33; Mark 1:14, 15; Luke 4:43) = "kingdom of Christ" (Matt. 13:41; 20:21) = "kingdom of Christ and of God" (Eph. 5:5) = "kingdom of David" (Mark 11:10) = "the kingdom" (Matt. 8:12; 13:19) = "kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 3:2; 4:17; 13:41), all denote the same thing under different aspects, viz.: (1) Christ's mediatorial authority, or his rule on the earth; (2) the blessings and advantages of all kinds that flow from this rule; (3) the subjects of this kingdom taken collectively, or the Church.

Lamentation

(Heb. qinah), an elegy or dirge. The first example of this form of poetry is the lament of David over Saul and Jonathan (2 Sam. 1:17-27). It was a frequent accompaniment of mourning (Amos 8:10). In 2 Sam. 3:33, 34 is recorded David's lament over Abner. Prophecy sometimes took the form of a lament when it predicted calamity (Ezek. 27:2, 32; 28:12; 32:2, 16).

League

A treaty or confederacy. The Jews were forbidden to enter into an alliance of any kind (1) with the Canaanites (Ex. 23:32, 33; 34:12-16); (2) with the Amalekites (Ex. 17:8, 14; Deut. 25:17-19); (3) with the Moabites and Ammonites (Deut. 2:9, 19). Treaties were permitted to be entered into with all other nations. Thus David maintained friendly intercourse with the kings of Tyre and Hamath, and Solomon with the kings of Tyre and Egypt.

Lentiles

(Heb. adashim), a species of vetch (Gen. 25:34; 2 Sam. 23:11), common in Syria under the name addas. The red pottage made by Jacob was of lentils (Gen. 25:29-34). They were among the provisions brought to David when he fled from Absalom (2 Sam. 17:28). It is the Ervum lens of Linnaeus, a leguminous plant which produces a fruit resembling a bean.

Lie

An intentional violation of the truth. Lies are emphatically condemned in Scripture (John 8:44; 1 Tim. 1:9, 10; Rev. 21:27; 22:15). Mention is made of the lies told by good men, as by Abraham (Gen. 12:12, 13; 20:2), Isaac (26:7), and Jacob (27:24); also by the Hebrew midwives (Ex. 1:15-19), by Michal (1 Sam. 19:14), and by David (1 Sam. 20:6). (See [356]ANANIAS.)

Maaziah

Strength or consolation of Yahweh. (1.) The head of the twenty-fourth priestly course (1 Chr. 24:18) in David's reign. (2.) A priest (Neh. 10:8).

Machbanai

Clad with a mantle, or bond of the Lord, one of the Gadite heroes who joined David in the wilderness (1 Chr. 12:13).

Madness

This word is used in its proper sense in Deut. 28:34, John 10:20, 1 Cor. 14:23. It also denotes a reckless state of mind arising from various causes, as over-study (Eccl. 1:17; 2:12), blind rage (Luke 6:11), or a depraved temper (Eccl. 7:25; 9:3; 2 Pet. 2:16). David feigned madness (1 Sam. 21:13) at Gath because he "was sore afraid of Achish."

Mahalath

A lute; lyre. (1.) The daughter of Ishmael, and third wife of Esau (Gen. 28:9); called also Bashemath (Gen. 36:3). (2.) The daughter of Jerimoth, who was one of David's sons. She was one of Rehoboam's wives (2 Chr. 11:18).

Malcam

(2 Sam. 12:30, Heb., R.V., "their king;" Jer. 49:1, 3, R.V.; Zeph. 1:5), the national idol of the Ammonites. When Rabbah was taken by David, the crown of this idol was among the spoils. The weight is said to have been "a talent of gold" (above 100 lbs.). The expression probably denotes its value rather than its weight. It was adorned with precious stones.

Meekness

A calm temper of mind, not easily provoked (James 3:13). Peculiar promises are made to the meek (Matt. 5:5; Isa. 66:2). The cultivation of this spirit is enjoined (Col. 3:12; 1 Tim. 6:11; Zeph. 2:3), and is exemplified in Christ (Matt. 11:29), Abraham (Gen. 13; 16:5, 6) Moses (Num. 12:3), David (Zech. 12:8; 2 Sam. 16:10, 12), and Paul (1 Cor. 9:19).

Mourn

Frequent references are found in Scripture to, (1.) Mourning for the dead. Abraham mourned for Sarah (Gen. 23:2); Jacob for Joseph (37:34, 35); the Egyptians for Jacob (50:3-10); Israel for Aaron (Num. 20:29), for Moses (Deut. 34:8), and for Samuel (1 Sam. 25:1); David for Abner (2 Sam. 3:31, 35); Mary and Martha for Lazarus (John 11); devout men for Stephen (Acts 8:2), etc. (2.) For calamities, Job (1:20, 21; 2:8); Israel (Ex. 33:4); the Ninevites (Jonah 3:5); Israel, when defeated by Benjamin (Judg. 20:26), etc. (3.) Penitential mourning, by the Israelites on the day of atonement (Lev. 23:27; Acts 27:9); under Samuel's ministry (1 Sam. 7:6); predicted in Zechariah (Zech. 12:10, 11); in many of the psalms (51, etc.). Mourning was expressed, (1) by weeping (Gen. 35:8, marg.; Luke 7:38, etc.); (2) by loud lamentation (Ruth 1:9; 1 Sam. 6:19; 2 Sam. 3:31); (3) by the disfigurement of the person, as rending the clothes (Gen. 37:29, 34; Matt. 26:65), wearing sackcloth (Gen. 37:34; Ps. 35:13), sprinkling dust or ashes on the person (2 Sam. 13:19; Jer. 6:26; Job 2:12), shaving the head and plucking out the hair of the head or beard (Lev. 10:6; Job 1:20), neglect of the person or the removal of ornaments (Ex. 33:4; Deut. 21:12, 13; 2 Sam. 14:2; 19:24; Matt. 6:16, 17), fasting (2 Sam. 1:12), covering the upper lip (Lev. 13:45; Micah 3:7), cutting the flesh (Jer. 16:6, 7), and sitting in silence (Judg. 20:26; 2 Sam. 12:16; 13:31; Job 1:20). In the later times we find a class of mourners who could be hired to give by their loud lamentation the external tokens of sorrow (2 Chr. 35:25; Jer. 9:17; Matt. 9:23). The period of mourning for the dead varied. For Jacob it was seventy days (Gen. 50:3); for Aaron (Num. 20:29) and Moses (Deut. 34:8) thirty days; and for Saul only seven days (1 Sam. 31:13). In 2 Sam. 3:31-35, we have a description of the great mourning for the death of Abner.

Naarai

Youthful, a military chief in David's army (1 Chr. 11:37), called also Paarai (2 Sam. 23:35).

Netophah

Distillation; dropping, a town in Judah, in the neighbourhood, probably, of Bethlehem (Neh. 7:26; 1 Chr. 2:54). Two of David's guards were Netophathites (1 Chr. 27:13, 15). It has been identified with the ruins of Metoba, or Um Toba, to the north-east of Bethlehem.

Numbering of the people

Besides the numbering of the tribes mentioned in the history of the wanderings in the wilderness, we have an account of a general census of the whole nation from Dan to Beersheba, which David gave directions to Joab to make (1 Chr. 21:1). Joab very reluctantly began to carry out the king's command. This act of David in ordering a numbering of the people arose from pride and a self-glorifying spirit. It indicated a reliance on his part on an arm of flesh, an estimating of his power not by the divine favour but by the material resources of his kingdom. He thought of military achievement and of conquest, and forgot that he was God's vicegerent. In all this he sinned against God. While Joab was engaged in the census, David's heart smote him, and he became deeply conscious of his fault; and in profound humiliation he confessed, "I have sinned greatly in what I have done." The prophet Gad was sent to him to put before him three dreadful alternatives (2 Sam. 24:13; for "seven years" in this verse, the LXX. and 1 Chr. 21:12 have "three years"), three of Yahweh's four sore judgments (Ezek. 14:21). Two of these David had already experienced. He had fled for some months before Absalom, and had suffered three years' famine on account of the slaughter of the Gibeonites. In his "strait" David said, "Let me fall into the hands of the Lord." A pestilence broke out among the people, and in three days swept away 70,000. At David's intercession the plague was stayed, and at the threshing-floor of Araunah (q.v.), where the destroying angel was arrested in his progress, David erected an altar, and there offered up sacrifies to God (2 Chr. 3:1). The census, so far as completed, showed that there were at least 1,300,000 fighting men in the kingdom, indicating at that time a population of about six or seven millions in all. (See [446]CENSUS.)

Paltite

The designation of one of David's heroes (2 Sam. 23:26); called also the Pelonite (1 Chr. 11:27).

Patriarch

A name employed in the New Testament with reference to Abraham (Heb. 7:4), the sons of Jacob (Acts 7:8, 9), and to David (2:29). This name is generally applied to the progenitors of families or "heads of the fathers" (Josh. 14:1) mentioned in Scripture, and they are spoken of as antediluvian (from Adam to Noah) and post-diluvian (from Noah to Jacob) patriachs. But the expression "the patriarch," by way of eminence, is applied to the twelve sons of Jacob, or to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. "Patriachal longevity presents itself as one of the most striking of the facts concerning mankind which the early history of the Book of Genesis places before us...There is a large amount of consentient tradition to the effect that the life of man was originally far more prolonged than it is at present, extending to at least several hundred years. The Babylonians, Egyptians, and Chinese exaggerated these hundreds into thousands. The Greeks and Romans, with more moderation, limited human life within a thousand or eight hundred years. The Hindus still farther shortened the term. Their books taught that in the first age of the world man was free from diseases, and lived ordinarily four hundred years; in the second age the term of life was reduced from four hundred to three hundred; in the third it became two hundred; in the fourth and last it was brought down to one hundred" (Rawlinson's Historical Illustrations).

Pelet

Deliverance. (1.) A descendant of Judah (1 Chr. 2:47). (2.) A Benjamite who joined David at Ziklag (1 Chr. 12:3).

Perazim, Mount

Mount of breaches, only in Isa. 28:21. It is the same as BAAL-PERAZIM (q.v.), where David gained a victory over the Philistines (2 Sam. 5:20).

Phalti

Deliverance of the Lord, the son of Laish of Gallim (1 Sam. 25:44)= Phaltiel (2 Sam. 3:15). Michal, David's wife, was given to him.

Pirathonite

(1.) Abdon, the son of Hillel, so called, Judg. 12:13, 15. (2.) Benaiah the Ephraimite (2 Sam. 23:30), one of David's thirty heroes.

Porter

A gate-keeper (2 Sam. 18:26; 2 Kings 7:10; 1 Chr. 9:21; 2 Chr. 8:14). Of the Levites, 4,000 were appointed as porters by David (1 Chr. 23:5), who were arranged according to their families (26:1-19) to take charge of the doors and gates of the temple. They were sometimes employed as musicians (1 Chr. 15:18).

Psalms

The psalms are the production of various authors. "Only a portion of the Book of Psalms claims David as its author. Other inspired poets in successive generations added now one now another contribution to the sacred collection, and thus in the wisdom of Providence it more completely reflects every phase of human emotion and circumstances than it otherwise could." But it is specially to David and his contemporaries that we owe this precious book. In the "titles" of the psalms, the genuineness of which there is no sufficient reason to doubt, 73 are ascribed to David. Peter and John (Acts 4:25) ascribe to him also the second psalm, which is one of the 48 that are anonymous. About two-thirds of the whole collection have been ascribed to David. Psalms 39, 62, and 77 are addressed to Jeduthun, to be sung after his manner or in his choir. Psalms 50 and 73-83 are addressed to Asaph, as the master of his choir, to be sung in the worship of God. The "sons of Korah," who formed a leading part of the Kohathite singers (2 Chr. 20:19), were intrusted with the arranging and singing of Ps. 42, 44-49, 84, 85, 87, and 88. In Luke 24:44 the word "psalms" means the Hagiographa, i.e., the holy writings, one of the sections into which the Jews divided the Old Testament. (See [510]BIBLE.) None of the psalms can be proved to have been of a later date than the time of Ezra and Nehemiah, hence the whole collection extends over a period of about 1,000 years. There are in the New Testament 116 direct quotations from the Psalter. The Psalter is divided, after the analogy of the Pentateuch, into five books, each closing with a doxology or benediction: (1.) The first book comprises the first 41 psalms, all of which are ascribed to David except 1, 2, 10, and 33, which, though anonymous, may also be ascribed to him. (2.) Book second consists of the next 31 psalms (42-72), 18 of which are ascribed to David and 1 to Solomon (the 72nd). The rest are anonymous. (3.) The third book contains 17 psalms (73-89), of which the 86th is ascribed to David, the 88th to Heman the Ezrahite, and the 89th to Ethan the Ezrahite. (4.) The fourth book also contains 17 psalms (90-106), of which the 90th is ascribed to Moses, and the 101st and 103rd to David. (5.) The fifth book contains the remaining psalms, 44 in number. Of these, 15 are ascribed to David, and the 127th to Solomon. Ps. 136 is generally called "the great hallel." But the Talmud includes also Ps. 120-135. Ps. 113-118, inclusive, constitute the "hallel" recited at the three great feasts, at the new moon, and on the eight days of the feast of dedication. "It is presumed that these several collections were made at times of high religious life: the first, probably, near the close of David's life; the second in the days of Solomon; the third by the singers of Jehoshaphat (2 Chr. 20:19); the fourth by the men of Hezekiah (29, 30, 31); and the fifth in the days of Ezra." The Mosaic ritual makes no provision for the service of song in the worship of God. David first taught the Church to sing the praises of the Lord. He first introduced into the ritual of the tabernacle music and song. Divers names are given to the psalms. (1.) Some bear the Hebrew designation shir (Gr. ode, a song). Thirteen have this title. It means the flow of speech, as it were, in a straight line or in a regular strain. This title includes secular as well as sacred song. (2.) Fifty-eight psalms bear the designation (Heb.) mitsmor (Gr. psalmos, a psalm), a lyric ode, or a song set to music; a sacred song accompanied with a musical instrument. (3.) Ps. 145, and many others, have the designation (Heb.) tehillah (Gr. hymnos, a hymn), meaning a song of praise; a song the prominent thought of which is the praise of God. (4.) Six psalms (16, 56-60) have the title (Heb.) michtam (q.v.). (5.) Ps. 7 and Hab. 3 bear the title (Heb.) shiggaion (q.v.).

Ramathite

The designation given to Shimei, the manager of David's vineyard (1 Chr. 27:27).

Recorder

(Heb. mazkir, i.e., "the mentioner," "rememberancer"), the office first held by Jehoshaphat in the court of David (2 Sam. 8:16), also in the court of Solomon (1 Kings 4:3). The next recorder mentioned is Joah, in the reign of Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:18, 37; Isa. 36:3, 22). In the reign of Josiah another of the name of Joah filled this office (2 Chr. 34:8). The "recorder" was the chancellor or vizier of the kingdom. He brought all weighty matters under the notice of the king, "such as complaints, petitions, and wishes of subjects or foreigners. He also drew up papers for the king's guidance, and prepared drafts of the royal will for the scribes. All treaties came under his oversight; and he had the care of the national archives or records, to which, as royal historiographer, like the same state officer in Assyria and Egypt, he added the current annals of the kingdom."

Rephaim, Valley of

(Josh. 15:8; 18:16, R.V.). When David became king over all Israel, the Philistines, judging that he would now become their uncompromising enemy, made a sudden attack upon Hebron, compelling David to retire from it. He sought refuge in "the hold" at Adullam (2 Sam. 5:17-22), and the Philistines took up their position in the valley of Rephaim, on the west and south-west of Jerusalem. Thus all communication between Bethlehem and Jerusalem was intercepted. While David and his army were encamped here, there occurred that incident narrated in 2 Sam. 23:15-17. Having obtained divine direction, David led his army against the Philistines, and gained a complete victory over them. The scene of this victory was afterwards called Baalperazim (q.v.). A second time, however, the Philistines rallied their forces in this valley (2 Sam. 5:22). Again warned by a divine oracle, David led his army to Gibeon, and attacked the Philistines from the south, inflicting on them another severe defeat, and chasing them with great slaughter to Gezer (q.v.). There David kept in check these enemies of Israel. This valley is now called el-Bukei'a.

Ruth The Book of

Was originally a part of the Book of Judges, but it now forms one of the twenty-four separate books of the Hebrew Bible. The history it contains refers to a period perhaps about one hundred and twenty-six years before the birth of David. It gives (1) an account of Naomi's going to Moab with her husband, Elimelech, and of her subsequent return to Bethlehem with her daughter-in-law; (2) the marriage of Boaz and Ruth; and (3) the birth of Obed, of whom David sprang. The author of this book was probably Samuel, according to Jewish tradition. "Brief as this book is, and simple as is its story, it is remarkably rich in examples of faith, patience, industry, and kindness, nor less so in indications of the care which God takes of those who put their trust in him."

Sachar

Hire. (1.) One of David's heroes (1 Chr. 11:35); called also Sharar (2 Sam. 23:33). (2.) A son of Obed-edom the Gittite, and a temple porter (1 Chr. 26:4).

Salt, Valley of

A place where it is said David smote the Syrians (2 Sam. 8:13). This valley (the' Arabah) is between Judah and Edom on the south of the Dead Sea. Hence some interpreters would insert the words, "and he smote Edom," after the words, "Syrians" in the above text. It is conjectured that while David was leading his army against the Ammonites and Syrians, the Edomites invaded the south of Judah, and that David sent Joab or Abishai against them, who drove them back and finally subdued Edom. (Comp. title to Ps. 60.) Here also Amaziah "slew of Edom ten thousand men" (2 Kings 14:7; comp. 8: 20-22 and 2 Chr. 25:5-11).

Sela-hammahlekoth

Cliff of divisions the name of the great gorge which lies between Hachilah and Maon, south-east of Hebron. This gorge is now called the Wady Malaky. This was the scene of the interview between David and Saul mentioned in 1 Sam. 26:13. Each stood on an opposing cliff, with this deep chasm between.

Shammua

Heard. (1.) One of the spies sent out by Moses to search the land (Num. 13:4). He represented the tribe of Reuben. (2.) One of David's sons (1 Chr. 14:4; 3:5, "Shimea;" 2 Sam. 5:14). (3.) A Levite under Nehemiah (11:17).

Shavsha

("Seraiah," 2 Sam. 8:17; "Shisha," 1 Kings 4:3), one of David's secretaries (1 Chr. 18:16).

Shemaah

Rumour, a Benjamite whose sons "came to David to Ziklag" (1 Chr. 12:3).

Shimea

The hearing prayer. (1.) One of David's sons by Bathsheba (1 Chr. 3:5); called also Shammua (14:4). (2.) A Levite of the family of Merari (1 Chr. 6:30). (3.) Another Levite of the family of Gershon (1 Chr. 6:39). (4.) One of David's brothers (1 Sam. 16:9, marg.).

Shiphmite

Probably the designation of Zabdi, who has charge of David's vineyards (1 Chr. 27:27).

Shobi

Captor, son of Nahash of Rabbah, the Ammonite. He showed kindness to David when he fled from Jerusalem to Mahanaim (2 Sam. 17:27).

Sibbecai

The Lord sustains, one of David's heroes (1 Chr. 11:29), general of the eighth division of the army (27:11). He slew the giant Saph in the battle of Gob (2 Sam. 21:18; R.V., "Sibbechai"). Called also Mebunnai (23:27).

Siphmoth

Fruitful places, some unknown place in the south, where David found friends when he fled from Saul (1 Sam. 30:28).

Sling

With a sling and a stone David smote the Philistine giant (1 Sam. 17:40, 49). There were 700 Benjamites who were so skilled in its use that with the left hand they "could sling stones at a hair breadth, and not miss" (Judg. 20:16; 1 Chr. 12:2). It was used by the Israelites in war (2 Kings 3:25). (See [597]ARMS.) The words in Prov. 26:8, "As he that bindeth a stone in a sling," etc. (Authorized Version), should rather, as in the Revised Version, be "As a bag of gems in a heap of stones," etc.

Songs

Of Moses (Ex. 15; Num. 21:17; Deut. 32; Rev. 15:3), Deborah (Judg. 5), Hannah (1 Sam. 2), David (2 Sam. 22, and Psalms), Mary (Luke 1:46-55), Zacharias (Luke 1:68-79), the angels (Luke 2:13), Simeon (Luke 2:29), the redeemed (Rev. 5:9; 19), Solomon (see [601]SOLOMON, SONGS OF).

Temple, Solomon's

Before his death David had "with all his might" provided materials in great abundance for the building of the temple on the summit of Mount Moriah (1 Chr. 22:14; 29:4; 2 Chr. 3:1), on the east of the city, on the spot where Abraham had offered up Isaac (Gen. 22:1-14). In the beginning of his reign Solomon set about giving effect to the desire that had been so earnestly cherished by his father, and prepared additional materials for the building. From subterranean quarries at Jerusalem he obtained huge blocks of stone for the foundations and walls of the temple. These stones were prepared for their places in the building under the eye of Tyrian master-builders. He also entered into a compact with Hiram II., king of Tyre, for the supply of whatever else was needed for the work, particularly timber from the forests of Lebanon, which was brought in great rafts by the sea to Joppa, whence it was dragged to Jerusalem (1 Kings 5). As the hill on which the temple was to be built did not afford sufficient level space, a huge wall of solid masonry of great height, in some places more than 200 feet high, was raised across the south of the hill, and a similar wall on the eastern side, and in the spaces between were erected many arches and pillars, thus raising up the general surface to the required level. Solomon also provided for a sufficient water supply for the temple by hewing in the rocky hill vast cisterns, into which water was conveyed by channels from the "pools" near Bethlehem. One of these cisterns, the "great sea," was capable of containing three millions of gallons. The overflow was led off by a conduit to the Kidron. In all these preparatory undertakings a space of about three years was occupied; and now the process of the erection of the great building began, under the direction of skilled Phoenician builders and workmen, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign, 480 years after the Exodus (1 Kings 6; 2 Chr. 3). Many thousands of labourers and skilled artisans were employed in the work. Stones prepared in the quarries underneath the city (1 Kings 5:17, 18) of huge dimension (see [625]QUARRIES) were gradually placed on the massive walls, and closely fitted together without any mortar between, till the whole structure was completed. No sound of hammer or axe or any tool of iron was heard as the structure arose (6:7). "Like some tall palm the noiseless fabric sprang." The building was 60 cubits long, 20 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high. The engineers of the Palestine Exploration Fund, in their explorations around the temple area, discovered what is believed to have been the "chief corner stone" of the temple, "the most interesting stone in the world." It lies at the bottom of the south-eastern angle, and is 3 feet 8 inches high by 14 feet long. It rests on the solid rock at a depth of 79 feet 3 inches below the present surface. (See [626]PINNACLE.) In examining the walls the engineers were "struck with admiration at the vastness of the blocks and the general excellence of the workmanship." At length, in the autumn of the eleventh year of his reign, seven and a half years after it had been begun, the temple was completed in all its architectural magnificence and beauty. For thirteen years there it stood, on the summit of Moriah, silent and unused. The reasons for this strange delay in its consecration are unknown. At the close of these thirteen years preparations for the dedication of the temple were made on a scale of the greatest magnificence. The ark was solemnly brought from the tent in which David had deposited it to the place prepared for it in the temple, and the glory-cloud, the symbol of the divine presence, filled the house. Then Solomon ascended a platform which had been erected for him, in the sight of all the people, and lifting up his hands to heaven poured out his heart to God in prayer (1 Kings 8; 2 Chr. 6, 7). The feast of dedication, which lasted seven days, followed by the feast of tabernacles, marked a new era in the history of Israel. On the eighth day of the feast of tabernacles, Solomon dismissed the vast assemblage of the people, who returned to their homes filled with joy and gladness, "Had Solomon done no other service beyond the building of the temple, he would still have influenced the religious life of his people down to the latest days. It was to them a perpetual reminder and visible symbol of God's presence and protection, a strong bulwark of all the sacred traditions of the law, a witness to duty, an impulse to historic study, an inspiration of sacred song." The temple consisted of, (1.) The oracle or most holy place (1 Kings 6:19; 8:6), called also the "inner house" (6:27), and the "holiest of all" (Heb. 9:3). It was 20 cubits in length, breadth, and height. It was floored and wainscotted with cedar (1 Kings 6:16), and its walls and floor were overlaid with gold (6:20, 21, 30). There was a two-leaved door between it and the holy place overlaid with gold (2 Chr. 4:22); also a veil of blue purple and crimson and fine linen (2 Chr. 3:14; comp. Ex. 26:33). It had no windows (1 Kings 8:12). It was indeed the dwelling-place of God. (2.) The holy place (q.v.), 1 Kings 8:8-10, called also the "greater house" (2 Chr. 3:5) and the "temple" (1 Kings 6:17). (3.) The porch or entrance before the temple on the east (1 Kings 6:3; 2 Chr. 3:4; 29:7). In the porch stood the two pillars Jachin and Boaz (1 Kings 7:21; 2 Kings 11:14; 23:3). (4.) The chambers, which were built about the temple on the southern, western, and northern sides (1 Kings 6:5-10). These formed a part of the building. Round about the building were, (1.) The court of the priests (2 Chr. 4:9), called the "inner court" (1 Kings 6:36). It contained the altar of burnt-offering (2 Chr. 15:8), the brazen sea (4:2-5, 10), and ten lavers (1 Kings 7:38, 39). (2.) The great court, which surrounded the whole temple (2 Chr. 4:9). Here the people assembled to worship God (Jer. 19:14; 26:2). This temple erected by Solomon was many times pillaged during the course of its history, (1) 1 Kings 14:25, 26; (2) 2 Kings 14:14; (3) 2 Kings 16:8, 17, 18; (4) 2 Kings 18:15, 16. At last it was pillaged and destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kings 24:13; 2 Chr. 36:7). He burned the temple, and carried all its treasures with him to Babylon (2 Kings 25:9-17; 2 Chr. 36:19; Isa. 64:11). These sacred vessels were at length, at the close of the Captivity, restored to the Jews by Cyrus (Ezra 1:7-11).

Tiglath-Pileser I.

(not mentioned in Scripture) was the most famous of the monarchs of the first Assyrian empire (about B.C. 1110). After his death, for two hundred years the empire fell into decay. The history of David and Solomon falls within this period. He was succeeded by his son, Shalmaneser II.

Towers

Of Babel (Gen. 11:4), Edar (Gen. 35:21), Penuel (Judg. 8:9, 17), Shechem (9:46), David (Cant. 4:4), Lebanon (7:4), Syene (Ezek. 29:10), Hananeel (Zech. 14:10), Siloam (Luke 13:4). There were several towers in Jerusalem (2 Chr. 26:9; Ps. 48:12). They were erected for various purposes, as watch-towers in vineyard (Isa. 5:2; Matt. 21:33) and towers for defence.

Waterspouts

(Ps. 42:7; marg. R.V., "cataracts"). If we regard this psalm as descriptive of David's feelings when banished from Jerusalem by the revolt of Absalom, this word may denote "waterfalls," inasmuch as Mahanaim, where he abode, was near the Jabbok, and the region abounded with rapids and falls.

Zabdiel

Gift of God. (1.) The father of Jashobeam, who was one of David's officers (1 Chr. 27:2). (2.) An overseer of the priests after the Captivity (Neh. 11:14).

Zacharias

(1.) A priest of the course of Abia, the eighth of the twenty-four courses into which the priests had been originally divided by David (1 Chr. 23:1-19). Only four of these courses or "families" of the priests returned from the Exile (Ezra 2:36-39); but they were then re-distributed under the old designations. The priests served at the temple twice each year, and only for a week each time. Zacharias's time had come for this service. During this period his home would be one of the chambers set apart for the priests on the sides of the temple ground. The offering of incense was one of the most solemn parts of the daily worship of the temple, and lots were drawn each day to determine who should have this great honour, an honour which no priest could enjoy more than once during his lifetime. While Zacharias ministered at the golden altar of incense in the holy place, it was announced to him by the angel Gabriel that his wife Elisabeth, who was also of a priestly family, now stricken in years, would give birth to a son who was to be called John, and that he would be the forerunner of the long-expected Messiah (Luke 1:12-17). As a punishment for his refusing to believe this message, he was struck dumb and "not able to speak until the day that these things should be performed" (20). Nine months passed away, and Elisabeth's child was born, and when in answer to their inquiry Zacharias wrote on a "writing tablet," "His name is John," his mouth was opened, and he praised God (60-79). The child (John the Baptist), thus "born out of due time," "waxed strong in spirit" (1:80). (2.) The "son of Barachias," mentioned as having been slain between the temple and the altar (Matt. 23:35; Luke 11:51). "Barachias" here may be another name for Jehoiada, as some think. (See [678]ZECHARIAH.)