The Shepherd of American Courage: How King David Shaped the United States

In our 2025 Constitution Day Lecture, we welcome back Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Dr. Stuart Halpern, to explore in detail how widely understood David was as a significant inspiration for millions of Americans. What does it mean for how we understand America today?

The Hebrew Scriptures were an essential part of American political culture throughout the founding era. From pulpit to pamphlet, stories and images from the Old Testament were commonly used as the grounding arguments for the Revolution. Playing a prominent role in these discussions and debates was one of Scripture’s better-known figures: King David. Specifically, David’s image as a courageous fighter for freedom was regularly referenced by the founding generation of Americans.