Oudenaarde Tapestry Circa 1620

Flanders tapestry Marriage of David and Bathsheba around 1620 Rich border of flowers and characters in armor. David is a character from the Bible, the second king of Israel who is featured in the biblical story, along with his son Solomon, as one of the two founders of the ancient Israelite state. David's biblical character inspired Daoud, the prophet-king in the Qur'an. His story is told in the first book of Samuel and his life as king in the second book of Samuel and at the beginning of the First Book of Kings. Tradition traces its reign back to the 10th century BC. J.-C.2, which archaeological discoveries of the early 1990s tend to corroborate even if the portrait that is brushed in the scriptures and the episodes they relate seem largely legendary. At the death of Saul, David was enthroned king of Judah and then king of Israel before being proclaimed messiah ("anointed"). At the head of the kingdom and his army, he defeats the enemies of Israel, conquers Jerusalem - where he transfers the Ark of the Covenant - and founds a vast kingdom that extends from the borders of Egypt to the Euphrates, thus opening an era of prosperity and peace for Israel6. God then promises David that his throne will be established forever, but Solomon, the son he had with Bathsheba, succeeds to a weak and indecisive old man.