1037 BC
After Saul's death, David was anointed king over Judah at Hebron, where he reigned for seven and a half years. Meanwhile, Saul's son Ish-bosheth was made king over the rest of Israel by his father's captain Abner. A civil war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted for years, with the hand of the Lord being with David. After the deaths of Ish-bosheth and Abner, the elders of Israel came to David at Hebron and anointed him king over all Israel.
David's unification of the twelve tribes marked the beginning of Israel's golden age. He conquered Jerusalem from the Jebusites and made it his capitalβa city that was neutral ground between the northern and southern tribes. From Jerusalem, David expanded Israel's borders, defeated the Philistines decisively, and established a stable kingdom that would reach its peak under his son Solomon. The psalms David composed during this period reflect both his joy in God's blessings and his deep wrestling with doubt, sin, and repentance.
The Catholic Church sees in David's unification of the tribes God's plan to create one people under one kingβa type of the Church, united under Christ the King. Key Scripture: 2 Samuel 2-5; 1 Chronicles 11; Psalm 18; CCC 71