# David — The Age of Reason character guide

> David in The Age of Reason by Thomas Paine.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** David Levi

**First appearance:** 0008-part-i-vii-examination-of-the-old-testament

## Who they are

King of Israel and central figure in Old Testament narratives examined by Paine.

## Relationships

### [Saul](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/characters/saul)

_rivalry_

David is initially Saul's servant and later his rival as Saul grows jealous and attempts to kill him.

### [Joseph le Bon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/characters/joseph_le_bon)

_rivalry_

David, a biblical king, is contrasted with Joseph le Bon's revolutionary violence and rejection of monarchy.

### [Saul](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/characters/saul)

_rivalry_

David is initially Saul's servant and later his rival as Saul grows jealous and attempts to kill him.

## In the story

### [VII: Examination of the Old Testament](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/chapters/part-i-vii-examination-of-the-old-testament)

Ranked among prophets as a musician and reputed author of Psalms.

### [An Essay on Dreams](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/chapters/part-iii-an-essay-on-dreams)

Cited in 2 Samuel 24:1 and 1 Chronicles 21:1 regarding the conflicting accounts of who moved him to number Israel.

### [An Examination of the Passages in the New Testament](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/chapters/part-iii-an-examination-of-the-passages-in-the-new-testament)

Referenced in relation to Psalm 22 and the supposed prophecy about Judas.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/characters/david
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/characters