<P> Historians of the Ancient Near East agree that David probably existed around 1000 BCE, but that there is little that can be said about him as a historical figure . There is no direct evidence outside of the Bible concerning David, but the Tel Dan Stele, an inscribed stone erected by a king of Damascus in the late 9th / early 8th centuries BCE to commemorate his victory over two enemy kings, contains the phrase ביתדוד ‎, bytdwd, which most scholars translate as "House of David". Ancient Near East historians generally doubt that the united monarchy as described in the Bible existed . </P> <P> David is richly represented in post-biblical Jewish written and oral tradition, and is discussed in the New Testament . Early Christians interpreted the life of Jesus in light of the references to the Messiah and to David; Jesus is described as being descended from David . David is discussed in the Quran and figures in Islamic oral and written tradition as well . The biblical character of David has inspired many interpretations in fictional literature over centuries . </P> <P> The first book of Samuel portrays David as the youngest of the eight sons of Jesse of Bethlehem . His mother is not named in any book of the Bible, but the Talmud identifies her as Nitzevet daughter of Adael . When the story was retold in 1 Chronicles (4th century BCE) he was made the youngest of seven sons and given two sisters, Zeruiah and Abigail . The Book of Ruth (possibly also 4th century BCE) traces his ancestry back to Ruth the Moabite . </P> <P> David is described as cementing his relations with various political and national groups through marriage . He is described as having eight wives: Michal, the second daughter of King Saul; Ahinoam the Jezreelite; Abigail the Carmelite, previously wife of Nabal; Maachah, daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur; Haggith; Abital; Eglah; and Bathsheba . </P>

Where is david first introduced in the bible