History · 26 stories
Stories
David Mourns Saul and Jonathan
A messenger arrives at Ziklag claiming he killed the wounded Saul at Saul's own request and bringing his crown to David; David has the man executed for striking down Yahweh's anointed, then he and his men tear their clothes and weep until evening before David pours his grief into a lament that ends with a raw elegy for Jonathan, whose love he says surpassed that of women.
6 parts
David Anointed King of Judah
After Saul's death, David asks God where to go and is directed to Hebron, so he moves there with his wives and men; once settled, he reaches out to honor the men of Jabesh-Gilead for burying Saul, letting them know that Judah has made him their king.
3 parts
Abner Defects to David
Abner breaks with Ish-Bosheth after a bitter quarrel, then negotiates Israel's allegiance to David, culminating in a feast at Hebron and a pledge to unite all Israel under David's rule.
5 parts
Joab Murders Abner
Joab secretly murders Abner in revenge for his brother Asahel, leaving David to mourn publicly and swear his innocence before all Israel.
4 parts
The Fall of Ish-Bosheth
Two captains murder the vulnerable Ishbosheth and bring his head to David, who executes them and buries the slain king, ending Saul's royal line.
4 parts
David Anointed King of Israel
The tribes of Israel come to David at Hebron, declare him their bone and flesh, and remind him that Yahweh appointed him shepherd and prince over Israel; the elders then make a covenant with him before Yahweh and anoint him king over all Israel, and a closing notice records that he was thirty years old when he began to reign and ruled forty years in total between Hebron and Jerusalem.
3 parts
David Captures Jerusalem
David marches on Jerusalem and the Jebusites taunt him that even the blind and the lame could hold him off — but he takes the stronghold of Zion anyway, names it David's city, and builds it up as his seat of power; then Hiram of Tyre sends cedar and craftsmen to raise David a palace, and David takes more wives in Jerusalem and fathers a new generation of sons there, among them Solomon.
5 parts
David Brings the Ark to Jerusalem
David's joyful but costly campaign to bring the ark to Jerusalem — marked by Uzzah's death, a three-month detour, and triumphant dancing overshadowed by Michal's contempt.
12 parts
God's Covenant with David
David's wish to build God a temple is redirected as Yahweh instead promises David an eternal dynasty, and David responds with humble worship and praise.
6 parts
David's Kindness to Mephibosheth
David honors his covenant with Jonathan by finding Jonathan's lame son Mephibosheth, restoring Saul's lands to him, and welcoming him permanently to the royal table.
5 parts
War with the Ammonites
A goodwill gesture turned insult spirals into full-scale war as David and Joab systematically defeat the Ammonites and their Syrian allies, securing Israel's dominance.
4 parts
David and Bathsheba
David's desire for Bathsheba leads him to arrange her husband Uriah's death in battle, then marry her — but the deed displeases Yahweh.
12 parts
Nathan Rebukes David
Nathan traps David with a parable, then exposes his guilt over Uriah, delivering divine judgment — yet after David's confession, grief, and the child's death, a new son Solomon is born and named Jedidiah by Yahweh.
8 parts
The Capture of Rabbah
Joab breaches Rabbah's defenses, then yields the final assault to David, who claims the king's golden crown, plunders the city, and reduces all Ammon to forced labor.
4 parts
Amnon and Tamar
Amnon becomes obsessed with his half-sister Tamar and, using a scheme devised by his friend Jonadab, tricks her into his room, rapes her, then has her thrown out — leaving her desolate in Absalom's house while David hears of it and rages but does nothing, and Absalom harbors silent hatred toward Amnon.
7 parts
Absalom Avenges His Sister
Absalom waits two years, then lures Amnon to a feast and has him killed, before fleeing into three years of exile while David mourns.
4 parts
Absalom Returns to David
Through Joab's scheming and a wise woman's parable, Absalom returns from exile—yet endures two years of estrangement before David finally kisses him.
7 parts
Absalom's Rebellion
Absalom secretly builds a following, declares himself king in Hebron, and drives David from Jerusalem in grief; as David flees barefoot over the Mount of Olives—sending the ark back, planting Hushai as a spy, and enduring Shimei's curses—he clings to the hope that Yahweh may yet restore him.
11 parts
Absalom's Rebellion in Jerusalem
Absalom seizes Jerusalem, takes David's concubines on Ahithophel's advice, but Hushai's cunning counter-counsel prevails, driving a despairing Ahithophel to take his own life.
6 parts
David Returns to Jerusalem
After Absalom's death, David is urged home, welcomed by Judah, and reconciles with former enemies — but tribal rivalry and a new revolt threaten the fragile restoration.
5 parts
Sheba's Rebellion Against David
After Sheba's trumpet call splits Israel from David, Joab pursues the rebel across the land until a wise woman of Abel ends the revolt by delivering Sheba's head over her city wall.
8 parts
The Famine and the Gibeonites
A three-year famine forces David to reckon with Saul's broken oath to the Gibeonites, leading to the execution of seven of Saul's descendants and their burial before God finally ends the famine.
4 parts
Israel Defeats the Philistine Giants
David nearly dies fighting the Philistines, is rescued by Abishai, and his warriors go on to defeat four giant champions in successive battles.
3 parts
David's Song of Deliverance
David sings of how Yahweh heard his cry, intervened with dramatic power, and rewarded his righteousness with victory and lasting covenant love.
4 parts
David's Last Words
In his final recorded words, David speaks as a man anointed and inspired, declaring that a ruler who governs in the fear of God shines like the light of a cloudless morning, while the wicked are thorns cast away and burned — and he rests his hope on the everlasting covenant God has made with his house.
1 part
David's Census and Plague
David's unauthorized census triggers divine judgment, a devastating plague, and ultimately his repentant sacrifice that turns away Yahweh's wrath.
11 parts