Shepherd boy, giant-killer, hunted fugitive, warrior king, psalmist. King David's life fills 1 Samuel 16 through 1 Kings 2, and every chapter is worth knowing. Here is every major story with its exact Scripture reference.
I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.— Acts 13:22 (KJV)
King David Bible Stories in Order
| Story | Scripture |
|---|---|
| David the Shepherd Boy | 1 Samuel 16:11; 17:15, 34 |
| David Anointed by Samuel | 1 Samuel 16:1–13 |
| David Kills the Lion and the Bear | 1 Samuel 17:34–37 |
| David and Goliath | 1 Samuel 17 |
| Goliath of Gath | 1 Samuel 17:4–7 |
| David and King Saul | 1 Samuel 16–31 |
| David and Jonathan | 1 Samuel 18–20; 2 Samuel 1, 9 |
| Fleeing Saul: the Cave of Adullam | 1 Samuel 22:1–2 |
| David Spares Saul's Life | 1 Samuel 24; 26 |
| David Becomes King | 2 Samuel 2:4; 5:1–7 |
| David Brings the Ark to Jerusalem | 2 Samuel 6; 1 Chronicles 15 |
| David's Mighty Men | 2 Samuel 23; 1 Chronicles 11 |
| The Giants of Gath | 2 Samuel 21:15–22 |
| The Psalms of David | 2 Samuel 23:1; Psalms |
| Giants in the Bible | Numbers 13; Deuteronomy 2–3 |
King David's Life at a Glance
- Born in Bethlehem, the youngest son of Jesse (1 Samuel 16:1, 11; 17:12).
- Anointed by Samuel "in the midst of his brethren" (1 Samuel 16:13).
- Killed a lion and a bear guarding his father's sheep, then Goliath of Gath (1 Samuel 17).
- Hunted by Saul for years, gathering his mighty men at the cave of Adullam (1 Samuel 22).
- Thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years (2 Samuel 5:4).
- God's covenant: "thy throne shall be established for ever" (2 Samuel 7:16).
- Died and was buried in the city of David (1 Kings 2:10–11).
Color the Story
Bring King David's warriors to life with King David coloring pages from David's Mighty Men Coloring Book.
41 bold coloring pages of King David's warriors, straight from 2 Samuel 23 and 1 Chronicles 11. Ages 5–99+. Paperback, $9.99. See inside the book.
Get the Coloring BookQuestions About David's Mighty Men
What are the main stories of King David in the Bible?
His anointing by Samuel (1 Samuel 16), killing the lion and the bear and Goliath (1 Samuel 17), friendship with Jonathan (1 Samuel 18–20), fleeing and sparing Saul (1 Samuel 22–26), becoming king (2 Samuel 2–5), and bringing the ark to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6).
Where is the story of King David in the Bible?
1 Samuel 16 through 1 Kings 2, retold in 1 Chronicles 10–29, with many of his songs in the Psalms.
How old was David when he became king?
Thirty years old, and he reigned forty years (2 Samuel 5:4).
Why was David called a man after God's own heart?
1 Samuel 13:14 and Acts 13:22 say God sought and found a man after His own heart in David the son of Jesse.
King David Bible Stories
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