Recent research has led to a weakening of the two classical hypotheses on the story of David?s rise and a succession narrative. Instead, attention has focussed on the texts in II Samuel 1-5, which are seen as being of crucial importance for the literary genesis of the story of David. The present study reveals a first continuous account from before the time of exile, which was produced in the 7th century BC. Thus it explains David?s double kingship of Israel and Juda as a protodeuteronomistic foundation narrative from the late Age of Kings. The study closes with a sketch of the editorial history of the David narratives in II Samuel and a revision of the historical records.