David's Age at the Time of His Coronation
David's Age at Coronation
The biblical account of David's coronation as king of Israel provides a specific age at which he began his reign. According to II Samuel 5:4, "David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years" [1, 2, 3]. This information is consistent across different translations, including the ASV, NASB, and KJV [1, 2, 3].
The thirty-year mark is significant because it indicates David's readiness to take on the responsibilities of kingship. At this age, David had already gained significant experience as a leader, having served as a commander in Saul's army and as the leader of a band of men during his time in exile [4].
The duration of David's reign is also noteworthy. He reigned for forty years, with seven and a half years spent ruling over Judah from Hebron and thirty-three years ruling over all Israel from Jerusalem [7]. This distinction is important, as it highlights the separate periods of David's reign and the eventual unification of the kingdom under his rule.
The biblical account of David's life and reign is supported by various interpretive traditions. John Gill, a Baptist/Reformed commentator, notes that David was "near thirty-eight years of age when the elders of Israel came and made him their king" over all the tribes, following his initial reign over Judah [7]. This observation underscores the complexity of David's ascension to power and the different stages of his reign.
Other traditions also reflect on David's age and reign. The Targum Jonathan, a Jewish (Rabbinic) source, reiterates the biblical account, stating that "David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years" [5]. Patristic sources, such as Athanasius of Alexandria, reference David's age at coronation in the context of discussing the biblical account of various kings and their ages at the start of their reigns [8].
The age of thirty is also seen as significant in the context of biblical numerology and the typological connections between David and Jesus Christ. John Gill observes that David's age at the start of his public reign corresponds to the age of Jesus when he began his public ministry, as noted in Luke 3:23 [6].
Sources
- II Samuel “II Samuel 5:4 (ASV) — David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.”
- 2 Samuel “2 Samuel 5:4 (NASB) — David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years.”
- King James Version “[KJV] 2 Kings 5:4 — David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: David — Beloved, the eighth and youngest son of Jesse, a citizen of Bethlehem. His father seems to have been a man in humble life. His mother's name is not recorded. Some think she was the Nahash of 2 Sam. 17:25. As to his personal appearance, we only know that he was red-haired, with beautiful eyes and a fair face (1 Sam. 16:12; 17:42). His early occupation was that of tending his father's sheep on the uplands of Judah. From what we know of his after history, doubtless he frequently beguiled his time, when thus engaged, with his shepherd's flute, while he drank in t”
- Targum Jonathan (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Targum Jonathan, Targum Jonathan on II Samuel 5:4: David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.”
- 2 Samuel (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Samuel 5:4: David was thirty years old when he began reign,.... Over Judah, which was the age of his antitype Christ, when he entered upon his public ministry, Luk 3:23, and he reigned forty years; and six months, as appears by Sa2 5:5; but the months are not mentioned, only the round number of years given: two reasons the Jews (a) give for this; the one, that he fled six months from Absalom; the other is, that he was ill in Hebron so long, and therefore are not reckoned. (a) Hieron. Trad. Heb. in lib. Reg. fol. 77. I.”
- 2 Samuel (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Samuel 5:5: In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months,.... So long the kingdom of Israel continued in the house of Saul after his death; and by this it appears that David was near thirty eight years of age when the elders of Israel came and made him their king: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah; which in all made forty years and six months, see Kg1 2:11; upon his being made king over all the tribes, as soon as he had taken the strong hold of Zion, which he immediately attacked, as follows, he removed the seat of his k”
- CCEL (Patristic) “Athanasius of Alexandria, Select Works and Letters, section 133: §36. Prophecies of Christ’s sovereignty, flight into Egypt, &c. But what king that ever was, before he had strength to call father or mother, reigned and gained triumphs over his enemies 297 297 Isa. viii. 4 , where note LXX. ? Did not David come to the throne at thirty years of age, and Solomon, when he had grown to be a young man? Did not Joas enter on the kingdom when seven years old, and Josias, a still later king, receive the government about the seventh year of his age? And yet they at that age had strength to call father o”