David's army was a collection of malcontents, social misfits, and fugitives. [1] With 600 men he entered into an alliance with the Philistines, which led to the defeat of Saul. [2] David's cosmopolitan tribe, Judah, was Gentile rather than Jewish. [3] 80% of David's soldiers were Baalites. [4] David handed over seven descendants of Saul to be hanged by the Gibeonites. [5] The duel with Goliath was the typical case of battle that used to be resolved by the combat of only the two best men. [6] David set in motion a corrupt political machine; no wonder a rebellion broke out against him. [7] He gained control of the Philistine caravan tariffs. [8] He laid a heavy tribute on the Edomites, Moabites, Ammonites, and Syrians. [9] He ate showbread when he was hungry. [10] Paid Saul a dowry of one hundred Philistine foreskins for the hand of his daughter Michal. [11] He had many wives. [12] Assassinated Uriah the Hittite. [13] On Mount Gilboa David's actions were remembered there. [14]
The greatest distortion of Jewish history is related to the figure of David. [15] There are two different stories about how David was made king. [16] There are two stories about whether it was God or Satan who forced David to take a census of Israel and Judah. [17] The Gospel of Matthew shows Jesus as the son of David. [18] Joseph the father of Jesus was not a descendant of David and Solomon, but was an ancestor was adopted into the house of David. [19] According to Jesus the Messiah was not the son of David. [20] According to the Jews the Messiah would be the successor of David. [21]