What was King David's most important contribution as King of Israel?

Answer 1

Another answer from our community:

King David was the second Israelite King after King Saul. He was notable in that he was a successful military leader and defeated a number of nearby enemies, including the Philistines who themselves had killed Saul and his son Jonathan.

David was also known as having written over 70 songs or Psalms used in Israelite worship, and being preserved in the book of Psalms. He also in this regard had involvement in organising and sponsoring groups of singers.

Answer 2

i would say it was defeating the Philistines. he is a great leader and he is a trustworthy man, Even saul wasent able to do this. although he did have to repent with God, due to his infractions with Bathsheba..

Answer 3

According to The Bible, King David's main contribution to Hebrew history was the conquest of a great empire, stretching from Egypt to Mesopotamia. In late tradition he is also credited with writing many of the Psalms.

Although there is circumstantial evidence for the likely existence of David, archaeologists now say that he was not the head of a great empire, but may have existed as a local chieftain or warlord. Only in legend did he come to lead a great empire.

Answer 4

1) King David authored/compiled the book of Psalms and gave it to us in its present form (Talmud, Bava Batra 14b). The Psalms (Tehillim), which we might call the soul of the Jewish people, express the yearning of King David and of the entire nation to be close to God. They are one of the foundations of our prayerbook to this day.
2) King David was the one who finally succeeded in subduing all of the surrounding nations (see 2 Samuel ch.8 and ch.10) plus the entire territory of Israel, something which no one else did previously or subsequently. He succeeded in all his endeavors (1 Samuel 16:18).

3) He secured from the prophet Nathan a promise from God that his (David's) son Solomon would build the Holy Temple (2 Samuel ch.7). The First Temple is actually considered the accomplishment of David himself (Rashi commentary, Berakhot 18a), since it existed in his merit ("Torat Chaim," commenting on Talmud, Shabbat 30a).

4) He set the blueprints, with Divine inspiration, for the Holy Temple (1 Chronicles 28:19). Together with the prophet Samuel, he located the spot where the Temple would be built (Talmud, Zevachim 54b); and he dug the foundations for the Temple (Talmud, Sukkah 53a).

5) He amassed vast amounts of material and precious metals for the construction of the Temple (1 Chronicles ch.29).

6) Together with Samuel, he instituted the 24 groupings of families of Kohanim and Levites (Talmud, Taanit 27a).

7) He served God all the days of his life (1 Kings 11:38); and God was with him (1 Samuel 16:18).

8) He was without peer in clarifying and applying the halakhot (laws) of the Oral Tradition (Talmud, Sanhedrin 93b).

9) King David serves as the archetype of the effectiveness of repentance (Talmud, Avodah Zarah 4b).

See also:

Archaeology

Why didn't David kill Saul?

About the Psalms

More about the Hebrew Bible