King David: The Shepherd Who Slew a Giant and Won a Kingdom

A shepherd boy. A giant. A jealous king. And a throne that cost David everything. This is the full story of King David, told as the Bible tells it and checked against what archaeology can show: the secret anointing, Goliath and the five smooth stones, Jonathan's arrows, years on the run from Saul, Jerusalem, Bathsheba, Absalom's rebellion, and the Tel Dan stele, the inscription that mentions the "House of David." CHAPTERS 0:00 The giant laughed 0:30 Saul falls, a shepherd is anointed 1:31 Goliath's challenge 2:09 David vs. Goliath 2:54 Jonathan, Michal and the run from Saul 4:01 Gilboa, the lament and the crown at Hebron 4:37 Jerusalem and the Ark 5:23 Bathsheba and Uriah 5:48 "You are the man" 6:18 Absalom's rebellion 7:20 Old age, Solomon and the end 7:45 The evidence: the Tel Dan stele HOW WE TELL IT David's story comes from scripture, so we tell it "according to the Bible." The Tel Dan stele is historical evidence. Scripture, legend and history are labeled as we go. SOURCES • The Bible: 1 Samuel 16–31; 2 Samuel 1–18; 1 Kings 1–2 • Goliath's height: the Hebrew text reads 9'9"; the Greek text and a Dead Sea Scroll (4QSamuel-a) read 6'9" • The Tel Dan stele: Aramaic, 9th century BCE, found in 1993–94 and held by the Israel Museum (Biran and Naveh, Israel Exploration Journal, 1993 and 1995) If this story stayed with you, like and subscribe for more kings and rulers. Every crown has a story. #KingDavid #AncientHistory #KingsAndRulers