David was the second king of the Kingdom of Israel and is one of the most important figures mentioned in the Bible. In many ways, he is a symbolic figure of Jesus Christ, and he himself holds great significance for the Jewish people. ## David's Life ### Unnoticed Childhood David was a member of the tribe of Judah and the seventh son of Jesse. Here, Jesse was the son of Obed, who was born to Boaz and Ruth. In other words, he was the great-grandson of Boaz and Ruth. During his childhood, he lived as a shepherd and seems to have grown up largely unnoticed by his family. This situation is clearly shown when Samuel visited Jesse's house to anoint a new king as a successor to the corrupt King Saul; the family entertained Samuel without much concern, even though David was absent.
1 Samuel 16:11He sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with a handsome face and good appearance. Yahweh said, “Arise! Anoint him, for this is he.”
한편 하나님의 뜻을 저버린 사울 왕에게 하나님의 영이 떠나게 되었고, 악령이 그 자리를 대신하였으며, 그로 인해 사울 왕은 괴로운 나날을 보내게 되었다.
1 Samuel 16:14Saul’s servants said to him, “See now, an evil spirit from God troubles you.1 Samuel 16:15Let our lord now command your servants who are in front of you to seek out a man who is a skillful player on the harp. Then when the evil spirit from God is on you, he will play with his hand, and you will be well.”1 Samuel 16:16Saul said to his servants, “Provide me now a man who can play well, and bring him to me.”1 Samuel 16:17Then one of the young men answered, and said, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and Yahweh is with him.”1 Samuel 16:18Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, “Send me David your son, who is with the sheep.”1 Samuel 16:19Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, and a container of wine, and a young goat, and sent them by David his son to Saul.1 Samuel 16:20David came to Saul, and stood before him. He loved him greatly; and he became his armor bearer.1 Samuel 16:21Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Please let David stand before me; for he has found favor in my sight.”1 Samuel 16:22When the spirit from God was on Saul, David took the harp, and played with his hand; so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.1 Samuel 16:23When the spirit from God was on Saul, David took the harp, and played with his hand; so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.
이후에, 블레셋 민족의 침입이 있었는데, 가드 출신의 거인 골리앗으로 인해 이스라엘 민족의 군대가 크게 두려움에 떨게 되었다.
이 당시 다윗은 다시 아버지 이새의 집에 있었는데, 전쟁에 참가한 형들에게 도시락을 전해주러 왔다가 골리앗이 하나님을 모욕하는 소시를 듣고 거룩한 분노에 사로잡히게 된다.
그리하여 평소에 양들을 맹수로부터 지키기 위해 연마했던 물맷돌을 이용해 골리앗을 쓰러트리고 일거에 가장 유명한 이스라엘의 장군이 된다.
날로 높아지는 다윗의 인기에 두려움을 느낀 사울 왕은 결국 다윗을 죽이기로 마음먹는다. 이에 다윗은 살기위해 도망치고 이스라엘 전 지역을 떠돌아다니며 도망다니는 신세가 된다.
사울 왕이 죽고 난 뒤에, 다윗은 유다 지파의 땅 헤브론에 머물게 되는데, 거기서 유다 지파의 장로들이 다윗의 머리에 기름붓고 유다 지파의 왕으로 삼는다.
2 Samuel 2:1So David went up there with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.2 Samuel 2:2David brought up his men who were with him, every man with his household. They lived in the cities of Hebron.2 Samuel 2:3The men of Judah came, and there they anointed David) king over the house of Judah. They told David, “The men of Jabesh Gilead were those who buried Saul.”2 Samuel 2:4David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead, and said to them, “Blessed are you by Yahweh, that you have shown this kindness to your lord, even to Saul, and have buried him.2 Samuel 2:5Now may Yahweh show loving kindness and truth to you. I also will reward you for this kindness, because you have done this thing.2 Samuel 2:6Now therefore let your hands be strong, and be valiant; for Saul your lord is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.”2 Samuel 2:7Now Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s army, had taken Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim;
한편, 사울 왕과 요나단이 죽어서 왕이 없는 나머지 이스라엘 지파는 사울 왕의 또다른 아들 이스보셋이 왕이 되어 다스리게 된다. 이후 이스보셋과 다윗은 세력 전쟁을 벌이게 되는데, 계속해서 다윗의 유다 왕국이 왕성하게 된다. 그리고 그 과정에 아브넬이 이스보셋을 배반하여 죽이고 다윗에게 항복을 하는데, 이에 다윗은 분노하여 아브넬을 죽이게 된다. 더이상 국가를 지탱할 여력이 사라진 이스라엘의 나머지 지파는 결국 다윗에게 나아와 기름붓고 그를 이스라엘의 왕으로 추대하게 된다.
그는 이스라엘 영토 내에 자리잡았던 강력한 블레셋 민족들을 점령했으며, 주변 국가인 모압, 암몬, 에돔도 친선관계를 맺거나 전쟁이후 조공관계를 맻기도 하였다.
특히 암몬은 수도 랍바를 함락시키고 암몬 왕의 왕관까지 손에 얻게 된다.
2 Samuel 12:26Joab sent messengers to David, and said, “I have fought against Rabbah. Yes, I have taken the city of waters.2 Samuel 12:27Now therefore gather the rest of the people together, and encamp against the city, and take it; lest I take the city, and it be called by my name.”2 Samuel 12:28David gathered all the people together, and went to Rabbah, and fought against it, and took it.2 Samuel 12:29He took the crown of their king from off his head; and its weight was a talent of gold, and in it were precious stones; and it was set on David)’s head. He brought a great quantity of plunder out of the city.2 Samuel 12:30He brought out the people who were in it, and put them under saws, under iron picks, under axes of iron, and made them pass through the brick kiln; and he did so to all the cities of the children of Ammon. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.2 Samuel 12:31He brought out the people who were in it, and put them under saws, under iron picks, under axes of iron, and made them pass through the brick kiln; and he did so to all the cities of the children of Ammon. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.
그러나 이 와중에 그는 우리야의 아내 밧세바를 취하여 간음을 저지르고, 우리야를 죽음에 이르도록 하는 계략을 꾸미기까지 한다.
이 일이 그에게 올무가 되어 다윗과 밧세바 사이에 태어난 아이가 죽는 일과, 이후 그의 아들들 사이에 살육과, 아들 압살롬의 반란까지 많은 어려움을 격게 된다.
다윗은 아들 압살롬의 반란을 진압한 뒤 그는 더이상 새로운 아내를 취하지 않는다. 수넴 여인 아비삭을 취하기는 했으나 그녀는 사실상 몸종같은 역할을 수행한 것으로 보인다.
말년에 솔로몬과 아도니야 사이에 왕위 계승권을 놓고 다툼이 있었는데, 그 때에 후계자로 솔로몬을 확실하게 공표하였다.
이스라엘 민족이 계속해서 기다리던 메시야는 다윗의 후손으로 올 것으로 예언되었다. 사실 예수 그리스도는 율법을 상징하는 모세, 선지자를 대표하는 엘리야, 통치권을 상징하는 다윗을 모두 아우르는 분이시다.
Acts 13:22From this man’s offspring, God has brought salvation to Israel according to his promise,