David

David

Minor Spiritwell-documentedHebrew / Israelite traditionJudaismChristian reception (messianic lineage)Secular biographical traditions (modern Europe, North America)Ancient IsraelBethlehemHebronJerusalemModern Europe and North America (as a given name)
Origin

Within the supplied materials, David originates as a Hebrew personal name (Biblical Hebrew: דָּוִד, Dāwīḏ, glossed 'beloved one') borne by the central human figure in the Hebrew Bible who is anointed by the prophet Samuel to be king. The biblical narrative situates him as the youngest son of Jesse from Bethlehem, a shepherd and harpist chosen and anointed to lead Israel, later rising to kingship, conquering Jerusalem, and founding a dynasty later interpreted as messianic in subsequent Jewish and Christian literature. The supplied sources do not present a mythic cosmogonic origin nor any supernatural genesis for David; rather they present him as a historical‑literary human figure whose life is narrated in religious texts and whose name has been adopted across cultures.

Appearance

The supplied descriptions focus on roles and attributes rather than physical specifics. Biblical David is described as a young shepherd and skilled harpist and is noted as 'a man of valor, a warrior, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence.' The modern bearers of the name in the sources are described by profession (painter, subject of a case study, academics, activists) with no folkloric physical characteristics provided.

Abilities

Based on the supplied sources, David's notable abilities are human: musical skill (skillful lyre/harp playing used to soothe Saul), martial prowess (celebrated for slaying Goliath and as a warrior), political leadership (anointed king who consolidated rule, captured Jerusalem, and brought the Ark there), and literary/religious contribution (traditionally credited with many Psalms). The narrative also records moral failings and complex familial/political behaviors (adultery with Bathsheba, arranged death of Uriah, and family rebellion), but no supernatural powers are attributed in the provided materials.

Community Record

Sources
  1. [1]
    David — Wikipedia. Wikipedia contributors. 'David.' Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.wiki
  2. [2]
    David — Wikidata entry. Wikidata entry Q18057751 (David, given name).other
  3. [3]
    Jacques-Louis David — Wikipedia. Wikipedia contributors. 'Jacques-Louis David.' Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.wiki
  4. [4]
    David Reimer — Wikipedia. Wikipedia contributors. 'David Reimer.' Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.wiki
  5. [5]
    David (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy). Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. 'David.'academic
  6. [6]
    Let's Visit Algeria (Archive). Archive.org item referencing 'Let's visit Algeria.'other
  7. [7]
    Inch by inch : the garden song (Archive). Archive.org item 'Inch by inch : the garden song.'other
  8. [8]
    David Greene | Electronic Frontier Foundation. Electronic Frontier Foundation staff page for David Greene.other
  9. [9]
    David Squires — The Guardian. The Guardian series 'David Squires on...'.other
  10. [10]
    David (various modern persons) — institutional pages. Institutional staff page (David Basin) cited among modern usages of the name.other
well-documented