According to Jewish tradition, King David, who ruled for 40 years was born as well as passed away on Shavuot.
David was the youngest of Yishai’s sons and he was in charge of shepherding the flocks.
David’s experience as a shepherd gave him the courage to fight against Goliat as we read in Shmuel Alef 17:34-37:
David said to Shaul, “Your servant was a shepherd for his father among the flocks; and if a lion or a bear came and carried off an animal from the flock, I would go after it and fight it and rescue it from its mouth. And if it attacked me, I would seize it by the beard and strike it down and kill it. Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and that uncircumcised Philistine shall end up like one of them, for he has defied the ranks of the living God!” David went on, “who saved me from lion and bear will also save me from that Philistine.” “Then go,” Saul said to David, “and may God be with you!”
Like many of the other shepherds, David knew how to play music. Because he was so talented, he was invited to play for King Shaul to help lift his spirits.
David fought in King Shaul’s army and married his daughter, Michal. When King Shaul became jealous of him, David ran away to Midbar Yehuda and to the Negev.
After King Shaul was killed, David became king, first of Yehuda and then of all of Yisrael.
David captured Metzudat Zion (the Fortress of Zion) and renamed it Ir David (the City of David).
Today, you can visit Ir David and see archeology from King David’s era come to life.
David was a descendent of Ruth, the Moavite, so it is fitting that Megillat Ruth is read on Shavuot.
