25 Details About the Life of David -- 'A' to 'Z' Quiz

Answer: Adonijah

Adonijah is the correct answer. While David was advanced in years, Adonijah set himself up as king. Bathsheba, David's most famous wife and mother of Solomon, however, thwarted Adonijah's plans and Solomon became king, as per David's plans. In 1 Kings 2:25, Solomon instructs Benaiah to kill Adonijah, and so ends the story of a would-be king.

Answer: Eliam

Eliam is the correct answer; however, little is known about him as he is mentioned in passing reference. In fact, the only place in Scripture Eliam is mentioned is 2 Samuel 11:3, a verse that states he was the father of Bathsheba and her husband was Uriah the Hittite.

Answer: True

True. Peace and tranquility did not come easily for David. First, he became king of Israel after the nation was plunged into a bloody civil war. According to Scripture, David reigned as king over Judah while Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul, reigned over the northern ten tribes. After two years of war, Ish-bosheth was assassinated (2 Samuel 4:5-6) and David ended up ruling as king over a united Israel.

A second civil war erupted when David's son Absalom led a coup. Once again, David's forces emerged victorious -- but not before a lot of blood was shed. 2 Samuel 18:7 reports there were no less than 20,000 casualties in a key battle in the forest of Ephraim. Scripture goes on to report about Absalom being killed by Joab and David's forces emerging victorious.

Answer: Ahinoam

Ahinoam is the correct answer. In 1 Samuel 14:50, the mother of Michal, David's first wife, was called Ahinoam. She was the wife of Saul. This would make her his mother-in-law.

Then 1 Samuel 25:43 tells of David taking a wife called Ahinoam at the same time he married Abigail, who had been previously married to Nabal.

In other words, David had a wife and a mother-in-law who shared the same name, making him the only one in the Bible with such a distinction.

Answer: Eliab

David's oldest brother was Eliab. However, it appears Eliab had little appreciation for David. The seventeenth chapter of 1 Samuel contains the account of David battling and defeating Goliath. Verse 28 tells of Eliab burning with anger. Just prior to David's spectacular victory, Eliab, in the NKJV Bible, states: "'Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle'."

Answer: Jesse

Jesse was the father of David. According to 1 Samuel 17:17-18, Jesse gave David roasted grain and bread to give to his brothers as well as cheese for the commander of their unit. The Israelites were involved in a battle against the Philistines in the area of Sokoh with the two sides occupying two hills and a valley between them, Scripture states.

The same chapter tells how David slew Goliath, with the Israelites scoring a major victory.

Answer: About 9 feet 9 inches or about 3 meters.

Make no mistake about it. David's adversary was a giant of a man. 1 Samuel 17:4 states his height was six cubits and a span, that is, about nine feet nine inches or about three meters. Scripture goes one to state Goliath had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels [That is, about 125 pounds or about 58 kilograms]; on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. His spear shaft was like a weaver's rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. [That is, about 15 pounds or about 6.9 kilograms]. On top of this, Goliath's shield bearer went ahead of him. Scripture states David chose five smooth stones from a stream for his slingshot, but it appears all he needed was one as 1 Samuel 17:49, in the NKJV Bible states: "Then David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone; and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead, so that the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth."

After this incident, David's life would never be the same again.

Answer: Saul

Saul might have been a mighty king, but he definitely had a number of personal issues. His reign started relatively smoothly, but in later years it seemed Saul was preoccupied with a burning desire to kill David simply because he was deeply jealous of the young shepherd boy who kept making a name for himself.

Even though Saul wanted him dead, David did everything possible to avoid any confrontation with the king. In fact, even when David had opportunity to kill Saul, he refused to do so. (1 Samuel 24)

However, when David was still an unknown shepherd boy -- before he slayed Goliath -- he would play the harp for Saul to refresh his spirit.

1 Samuel 16:23, in the NKJV, explains things this way: "And so it was, whenever the spirit from God was upon Saul, that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him."

Saul's appreciation of David would be short lived, however.

Answer: Abigail

Abigail is the correct answer. It's hard to believe, but Abigail is the only woman in the Hebrew Bible and the English Bible described as both beautiful and intelligent. A number of other Biblical women are described as beautiful. They are Sarah, Rachel, Bathsheba, Esther and Job's three daughters -- Jemimah, Keziah and Keren-Happuch. And there appears to be no doubt there are a number of other women in the Bible who were intelligent, with some of them being Esther, Bathsheba, Lydia and Priscilla. However, Abigail is the only one to have the double distinction in the text.

Abigail became David's wife after Nabal died. Scripture has nothing but nice things to say about Abigail, portraying her as beautiful, wise and gracious. It's a different matter for her first husband, however. Nabal is portrayed as being foolhardy and an obstinate man. In fact, his name means 'fool,' according to 1 Samuel 25:25.

Answer: Jonathan

Even though Jonathan would've been in line to replace his father as king, he was the best of friends with David, the man who would eventually become king of Israel. In fact, their friendship was perhaps unlike any other in the Old Testament. 1 Samuel 18:1, in the NKJV Bible, describes their friendship this way: "After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself." Had it not been for Jonathan, Saul might had been successful in his insatiable quest to have David killed.

Answer: Absalom was staging a coup, the country was in a civil war, and David was on the run.

It was a bleak time for David. Absalom was staging a coup, the country was in a civil war, and David was on the run. Scripture tells of him crossing the Kidron in a time of considerable anxiety and distress. (The KJV uses the spelling Cedron.)

2 Samuel 15:13-14, in the NKJV, states: "Now a messenger came to David, saying, 'The hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.' So David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, 'Arise, and let us flee, or we shall not escape from Absalom. Make haste to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly and bring disaster upon us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword'."

The story continues where in verse 23, Scripture states: "And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people crossed over. The king himself also crossed over the Brook Kidron, and all the people crossed over toward the way of the wilderness."

Answer: Joab had killed David's son Absalom as well as two generals and supported Adonijah for king.

It's a bit of a long story, but David was upset with Joab for a number of reasons, not the least of which being he killed Absalom in a civil war battle. However, Joab also had two army commanders -- Abner and Amasa -- killed and then on top of all this, he supported a bid by Adonijah to become king when David was elderly and frail. (See information in answer section to Question 1.)

Notes in the NKJV Study Bible gives this account of David's disgust with Joab: "David's parting advice {to Solomon} singled out some problems that had not been resolved. The bold, headstrong Joab had murdered two generals (2 Samuel 3:27 and 20:10) and David's son Absalom (2 Samuel 18:14); he had also joined Adonijah's ill-fated conspiracy."

The notes go on to state Joab had lived a long time without requital for his "wicked deeds" and the aged king knew that Joab would likely "continue to be a problem to Solomon even as they had been to him."

Even though Absalom was prepared to kill David in his bid to become king, Scripture reports David was deeply distressed when Joab killed him in battle. (2 Samuel 18:33)

Answer: False

Bit of a trick question here. Yes, David was requested by Saul to produce Philistine foreskins to win the hand of Michal. However, the request was for a hundred foreskins, as per 1 Samuel 18:25. According to verse 27 of the same chapter, David complied by producing two hundred foreskins and won Michal's hand in marriage.

Michal, similar to her brother, Jonathan, played a key role in thwarting her father's attempts to kill David. She informed David that King Saul had sent people to murder him and he was able to take evasive action. Details about David killing the Philistines to win Michal's hand can be found in the 18th chapter of 2 Samuel. Scripture states she would later despise her husband for "dancing and celebrating" as he helped bring back the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem. According to 2 Samuel 6:23, Michal had "no children to the day of her death."

Answer: Nathan

The account of Nathan confronting David is found in the twelfth chapter of 2 Samuel. He used a parable to make David aware of the seriousness of his sinning when he had an adulterous affair with Bathsheba and then made arrangements for the murder of her husband. Nathan than made the pronouncement that the child who would be born as a result of the adulterous affair would die, and sure enough it came to pass.

Incidentally, it was Nathan who told an elderly and frail David of the plot of Adonijah to become king.

The end result is that Solomon became king, as per 1 Kings 1:8-45.

Answer: Obed

Obed is the correct answer. Ruth 4:17 states Obed was the father of Jesse and Jesse was the father of David, one of the most prominent figures in the Old Testament. Obed, Boaz and Ruth are included in the genealogy of Jesus, as per Matthew 1:5.

Answer: More than 70

The correct answer is more than 70. It's impossible to come up with an exact total as a number of the Psalms do not have any credit lines. The numbers vary, with different Websites giving a different total for David's contributions. However, the consensus appears to be that David wrote more than 70 Psalms at the very least. According to notes in the NKJV Study Bible, some of the other Palmists include Ethan, Heman and Asaph as well as Solomon, who is credited with writing two of the Psalms -- Numbers 72 and 127.

Answer: False

There is no indication in Scripture about David's favorite foods. It's possible he liked quail, but if he did, it's not in Scripture. So the answer to this question has to be false. What's more, 2 Samuel doesn't even have a 25th chapter. It ends at the 24th chapter.

Answer: True

True. It's difficult to comprehend, but according to Scripture, Saul was filled with total resentment of David when the women of Israel sang praises for the former shepherd boy, proclaiming his victories much more impressive than anything Saul had ever done.

Here's how 1 Samuel 18:6-9 explains the sordid situation: "Now it had happened as they were coming home, when David was returning from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women had come out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy, and with musical instruments. So the women sang as they danced, and said:
'Saul has slain his thousands,
And David his ten thousands.'
Then Saul was very angry, and the saying displeased him; and he said, 'They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed only thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?' So Saul eyed David from that day forward."

From this point on, David was a marked man.

Answer: sling shot

Yes, a sling shot was used by David, a shepherd boy, to kill the Philistine giant. As explained in the answers to Questions 6 and 7, Goliath was a behemoth, but was no match for David's proficiency with the slingshot. Scripture indicates the Philistine giant was slayed with David firing only one stone.

The story about David and Goliath is found in 1 Samuel 17. It's one of the best known stories in the Bible.

Answer: Psalm 51

The correct answer is Psalm 51. When you think the question through, it's not difficult. After all, Psalm 23 is known as 'The LORD is My Shepherd' and the Book of Psalms ends at No. 150. In other words, there are no Psalms 151 and 152. So, the correct answer has to be Psalm 51.

Psalm 51 is a favorite with many Christians around the world. The Psalm has been set to music and is performed in many modern worship services.

Here are the words to the famous Psalm:
"Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your loving kindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,
Blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my transgressions,
And my sin is always before me.
Against You, You only, have I sinned,
And done this evil in Your sight --
That You may be found just when You speak,
And blameless when You judge.
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
And in sin my mother conceived me.
Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts,
And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me hear joy and gladness,
That the bones You have broken may rejoice.
Hide Your face from my sins,
And blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
And sinners shall be converted to You.
Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
The God of my salvation,
And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips,
And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it;
You do not delight in burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart --
These, O God, You will not despise.
Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion;
Build the walls of Jerusalem.
Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness,
With burnt offering and whole burnt offering;
Then they shall offer bulls on Your altar."

Answer: Uriah

Yes, Uriah was the first husband of Bathsheba, David's most famous wife. After David learned Bathsheba was pregnant through an adulterous affair he had with her, he ended up conspiring to have Uriah murdered. The adultery took place while Uriah, a soldier, was in battle.

After plotting and scheming, David eventually ordered Uriah to be placed in the front line where the fighting was fiercest and then had all the men withdraw, as per 2 Samuel 11:15. True to plan, Uriah was killed.

Answer: Victorious

There is no doubt David felt extremely victorious immediately after he defeated Golitah. And while on the letter 'V', David must've felt somewhat vindicated as his own brothers thought it was ridiculous he would be representing the Israelites against the Philistine giant. Later, he would likely feel venerated by the Israelites and vilified by the Philistines.

However, the correct answer has to be 'victorious' considering the question is based on David's emotions immediately after Goliath's death.

Answer: At least 8

David had at least eight wives: Michal, Abigail, Ahinoam, Eglah, Maacah, Abital, Haggith, and Bathsheba. He also had at least ten concubines, as per 2 Samuel 15:16. The most notable wives were Bathsheba and Abigail followed by Michal and Haggith. The others are mentioned in only passing reference.

Answer: Abishag

Abishag could very well have been the world's first nurse. In 1 Kings 1:3, she is described as "young" and "beautiful" and was found after an extensive search was conducted for a woman to care for King David who was elderly and frail at the time. According to 1 Kings 1:1, David was "very old" and he "could not keep warm even when they put covers over him."

1 Kings 1:2, in the NIV, states: "So his attendants said to him, 'Let us look for a young virgin to serve the king and take care of him. She can lie beside him so that our lord the king may keep warm.'"

According to 1 King 1:4, Abishag "took care of the king and waited on him, but the king had no sexual relations with her."

Answer: True

True. The word Zion is a favorite with the Psalmists. In fact the placename Zion appears 41 times in the Psalms, only surpassed by Isaiah with 54 references.

In general, Zion is a reference to Israel. But in some places in Scripture, it is a direct reference to Jerusalem and the City of David. And it can also refer to Bethlehem, where David, as well as Jesus, was born.