David is a king of Israel and a central figure in the Bible. A shepherd in his youth, he is chosen by the prophet Samuel to succeed King Saul. He becomes famous by defeating the giant Goliath with a slingshot. Servant and then rival of Saul, he must flee before being recognized king of Israel. He makes Jerusalem his capital and installs the Ark of the Covenant there. His reign is marked by military successes and faults, notably his adultery with Bathsheba. He is considered the author of the Psalms and an ancestor of the Messiah. He dies after 40 years of reign, leaving the throne to his son Solomon.
