How old was King David when he became king of Israel?

Answer

According to the Bible David was 30 years old when he began to reign and it was only after he had reigned in Judah for seven and a half years that he then reigned "over all Israel and Judah" :-

This would have made David 37 when he became king of all Israel. Do not get confused between 'Judah' and 'Israel': they are not the same. The patriach Israel had 12 sons, and the land of Israel was divided up among them for their inheritances. The nation of Judah comprised the tribal areas allocated to Judah and Benjamin, but there were another 10 brothers, and together all 12 tribal areas made up the nation of Israel. David was 30 when he became king of just Judah, and 37 when he became king over the whole nation of Israel.

However, David was selected by God to replace King Saul , and was anointed king of Israel by the prophet Samuel years before he actually was crowned king (it is thought he was about 20 at the time):-

1Sa 16:1 And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I [God] have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.
(v.4) And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem....(v.5) ... And he [Samuel] sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice. (v.7) But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; ... for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. (v.10) Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these. (v.11) And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him:...(v.12) And he sent, and brought him in. ... And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. (v.13) Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. ...

In man's eyes David became king of Israel when he was crowned king of Israel and Judah at the age of 37, but in God's eyes David became king of Israel at about 20 when he was anointed with oil and received the Holy Spirit.

First answer by ID1177328687. Last edit by David Eaglehawk. Contributor trust: 93 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 26 [recommend question]