David

After the period of the Judges came the period of the United Kingdom. Saul’s reign was not one characterized by a seeking after God, nor much military conquest, like it was during the day of Joshua and the taking of the Promised Land. However, all that changed with David. David was by no means perfect, but he did more to honor God and bring glory to Israel than any of the other kings of the united monarchy. It was David who brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, something that had gone completely forgotten during the reign of Saul. It was David who first desired to build a permanent house for God and the Ark. It was David who subdued Israel’s enemies, paving the way for peace and prosperity for his son. It was David who became the image of what the Messiah would be like, the conquering king who would shepherd His people (Ezekiel 34:23-24; 37:24; Hosea 3:5).