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The most beloved figure in Jewish memory after Moshe. Shepherd boy, harpist, killer of Goliath, fugitive, king, founder of Jerusalem, ancestor of the future Messiah, and traditional author of much of the Psalms. Also: adulterer, killer of Uriah, father whose son Absalom rebelled. The Bible doesn\'t hide his flaws, that\'s why the character endures.
Cultural note, The Star of David (מָגֵן דָּוִד) is on the flag of Israel. Tel Aviv\'s Magen David Adom is the Israeli Red Cross. Newborn boys are often named David. The phrase "מִי כָּמוֹךָ דָּוִד הַמֶּלֶךְ" ("who is like you, King David?") is sometimes said to praise someone who pulled off something improbable.
Characters
David & Goliath Vocabulary
Tehillim Vocabulary
Kingdom Vocabulary
David & Goliath: 1 Samuel 17:45-50 (excerpt)
The teenager facing the giant. The Philistine has been mocking the Israelites for 40 days. David refuses King Saul\'s armor and goes out with five smooth stones and a sling.
Mizmor Le-David: Psalm 23 (full)
The most-quoted psalm in human history. Recited at every funeral, at the third Shabbat meal, on Yom Kippur. Six short verses; ten thousand commentaries.
David\'s Lament for Yonatan: 2 Samuel 1:23-27 (excerpt)
After hearing Saul and his beloved friend Yonatan died in battle on Mount Gilboa. The phrase "אֵיךְ נָפְלוּ גִבּוֹרִים", "how the mighty have fallen", passed into every Western language.