The Bible's King Saul (king of Israel) was beset by frequent fits of melancholy, and the young man David was called as a singer to comfort the king with music when he was troubled by an evil spirit. Thus began David's journey that brought him to reign in Israel.
David here plays the harp, not the traditional instrument of the psalterium.
Earlier, in Baroque paintings, David was very often shown as a harpist.
Saul was so enamoured of this young man that he appointed David as his squire and later as his adopted son.
The Bible story tells us that one day Israel was attacked by the giant Goliath, who led the army into total confusion and instilled in them the fear of defeat. The only defence was David, who threw a stone at Goliath so precisely that he was able to kill him. King Saul then appointed him to lead his army.
Saul lost one of the wars and all his sons died. He committed suicide himself. David, married to one of Saul's daughters, becomes the ruler of Israel.
Later, David married the daughter of one of his commanders, Bathsheba, after the death of her husband Uriah. David sent her husband to certain death in order to possess his wife. God chastises David and sends death to their firstborn son. Wanting to atone for God's anger David appoints his second son Salomon as the new king of Israel.
King David was not born for royalty. He entered life as a humble shepherd, founded a dynasty and became a central figure in Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
A contemporary work on this motif, made by the best artisans in the studio, perfectly fits in and brings special atmosphere to modern high-end interiors.
