1100 - 1000 BCE

King Saul and King David

David and Goliath from the Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo

Timeline of King David of Israel

David and Goliath, c. 1025 BCE

1 Samuel 17:50
“David triumphed over Goliath with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.” 

City of David Megalim Institute, Courtesy of George Blumenthal and the Gol Family

Khirbet Qeiyafa: An Israelite Fortress in the Elah Valley 

King Saul Attempts to Assassinate David, 
c. 1020 BCE

1 Samuel 19:11
Saul sent messengers to David’s home to keep watch on him and to kill him in the morning. But David’s wife, Michal, told him, “Unless you run for your life tonight, you will be killed tomorrow.” 

City of David Megalim Institute , Courtesy of George Blumenthal and the Gol Family

King David’s Jerusalem
The City of David
1004 BCE

City of David Archives

King David’s Palace

2 Samuel 5:11
Now Hiram king of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs, carpenters, and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David.

City of David Megalim Institute, Courtesy of George Blumenthal and the Gol Family

King David's Palace

Shalom Kveller, City of David

Jewish History now introduces us to one of the most beloved figures in the Bible, King David. The Bible describes him as follows: 1 Sam 13:14 “…the Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has appointed him to be a ruler over His people…”    

With a difficult upbringing, David is assigned to be a lonely shepherd looking after his father’s flock. Through this however, he learns valuable lessons in caring for those in his fold. He further proves himself to be an excellent poet and musician writing most of the spiritually infused Psalms, still loved and read by millions around the world today, which merits him the title “the sweet singer of Israel” in 2  Sam 23:1. 

Protecting his precious flock from the bear and the lion, David becomes a fearless and mighty warrior in battle, forging a deep bond with G-d that ultimately merits him to become the first anointed king over the tribal confederation of Israel.  This is his story:

Let’s look at a timeline highlighting King David’s life:   
1040 BCE  David is born in the town of Bethlehem.   
1035 BCE  Saul begins his reign as King of Israel.   
1025 BCE  David slays Goliath, the Philistine.   
1020 BCE  King Saul attempts to assassinate David.   
1010 BCE  King Saul dies. David becomes King.   
1004 BCE  King David captures the Fortress of Zion in Jerusalem, establishes Jerusalem as the capital of the Twelve Tribes of Israel and brings the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem 
970 BCE  King David dies.

The Epic story of David and Goliath still resonates and inspires millions around the world - a story of the underestimated underdog that triumphs over an intimidating and domineering giant.   Like all Biblical stories, this one comes alive in the land of Israel with archaeological finds enriching Biblical and historical context. 

To appreciate this legendary tale, we turn our attention to Khirbet Qeiyafa: an Israelite fortress in the Valley of Elah, the valley where the historic confrontation between the Israelites and the Philistines took place.

Afterward, King Saul relentlessly tries to hunt down David. Throughout these accounts, David, driven by a deep moral compass, refuses to harm King Saul.  

          Watch the Megalim Video courtesy of George Blumenthal and the Gol Family, to learn more about this time in David’s life.

After King Saul and his son Jonathan, die in battle, the tribal leaders turn to David, who at that time already ruled for seven and a half years in Hebron. They appoint him as King over the united tribal confederation of Israel.   King David immediately sets his sights on Jerusalem, one of the last cities that have yet to be taken during the Israelite conquest of the land.   David chooses Jerusalem specifically for four main reasons: Water, Security, Unification and neutral ground rule, but more importantly, because of Jerusalem’s inherent holiness as the chosen place where the future Temple will be built.   Watch the video to learn more behind David’s rational in taking the city.  

In this picture is an artist’s rendition of the City of David, nestled between the Kidron and Tyropoeon Valley in the time of King David circa 1004 BCE

After King David conquered Jerusalem, he partnered with King Hiram of Tyre to help him build his palace.   
2 Samuel 5:11 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs, carpenters, and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David.   

Later, King Hiram would also commit to King David’s son, Solomon, assisting him in building the Temple and also his palace.   Watch the video by Megalim, courtesy of George Blumenthal and the Gol family to learn more about the Palace of King David.

In this picture by Shalom Kveller, one can view the Palace’s location within the City of David. 

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