David (flourished c. 1000 bce) was the second ruler of the united kingdom of ancient Israel and Judah. He founded the Judaean dynasty and united all the tribes of Israel under a single monarch. His son Solomon expanded the empire that David built. David is an important figure in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

David desires to build a temple to Yahweh, but he is denied because of the bloodshed in his reign. He dies at age 70 and chooses Solomon, his son with Bathsheba, as his successor instead of his eldest son Adonijah.

David was a youth, so he may have been shorter than 5' tall, at an enormous disadvantage in any match of physical strength. Goliath was a Philistine champion, fighting to dominate the territory.

David, who was a shepherd in his youth, became King of Israel and ruled during 1090-970 BCE. He is most famous for playing the harp while worshiping God and for killing the Philistine giant, Goliath, with a slingshot and a rock.