David, king of ancient Israel, is not a character in the Nephite record but is named in passages that quote or invoke him. In Nephi’s quotation of Isaiah, the “house of David” is the royal line and the kingdom of Judah, told that Syria had allied with Ephraim against it (2 Nephi 17:2). Isaiah again addresses the “house of David” in rebuking it (2 Nephi 17:13). A later verse promises that “of the increase of government and peace there is no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom” (2 Nephi 19:7).
Jacob names David when condemning the Nephites for taking many wives and concubines. Under the second Nephite king the people began to indulge in wicked practices “such as like unto David of old desiring many wives and concubines, and also Solomon, his son” (Jacob 1:15). Jacob reports that the people sought to excuse their whoredoms by what was written concerning David and Solomon, and that the Lord called the many wives and concubines of David and Solomon “abominable” (Jacob 2:23-24).