Jewish men are no less likely to create and talk about heroes than any other men, and one of the most important heroes appreciated by Jewish men everywhere is Jewish David, King of Israel. The Jewish David was famous not only as a hero warrior - everyone knows about the Jewish David and his amazing defeat of the Giant Goliath - but also a talented musician and a poet who wrote beautiful psalms. So Jewish men admire Jewish David. Jewish men learn about Jewish David from a variety of sources including the books of the Prophets, and Samuel I, Samuel II, Kings 1 and Chronicles 1 of the Writings.
History
Jewish David was born to a tribe of Jewish men and women called Judah. He was the youngest son (the eighth) of Jesse, and grew up tending sheep in Bethlehem.
Without the knowledge of Saul, who was the king at that time, the prophet Saul came to the field where David was working and anointed the young shepherd boy. Later, Saul, impressed by David's musical abilities, engaged him as a musician.
Popularity
The most famous story about David tells how, as a young boy, he bravely faced the Philistine giant Goliath, armed only with a catapult and stones. Goliath was believed to be nine feet tall, armored in bronze, and very powerful. David watched as experienced fighters quailed and drew back from fighting with Goliath, then took matters into his own hands and defeated the giant with his slingshot. Impressed, Saul made David commander of his army. Later, Saul turned against David, and tried to have him killed, so David had to flee. But he garnered enough support to face and defeat Saul, and the people crowned him King of Judea.
Reign
During his reign over Jewish men in Israel, he brought everyone together. Jewish men fought side by side under his command and defeated many enemies. David is believed to have completed the work of Moses by making a country for Jewish men centered on the Torah, which laid the foundation of the Jewish community for generations to come. After he rose to the throne, David built a palace in Jerusalem and established his kingdom securely, conquering tribes like the Philistines, defeated the Moabites, the Edomites, the Ammonites and the Arameans. He ruled fairly and well, and his people were content.
End
David ruled for forty years, and was buried in the City of David in Jerusalem after he named his son Solomon (whose mother was Bathsheba) as his heir. When you know the story of Jewish David, who started out as a shepherd and became King of Israel, it is not hard to understand why Jewish David is so much admired by Jewish men. Jewish men are proud of their heritage, and one of the stories they are proudest of, and love to pass on to their sons is the story of Jewish David. Inevitably, the sons grow up to be Jewish men who also admire and revere Jewish David.