The answer is: 70

2 Sam 5:4; 1 Ki 2:10-11

King David’s lifespan of 70 years might fly under the radar, but do you know that this number carries fascinating connections throughout biblical narratives? At 70, David completed an extraordinary journey from shepherd boy to revered king, navigating challenges that shaped Israel's history. It’s a prime illustration of personal growth and leadership under duress—think of the trials he faced with Goliath, the life spent evading Saul, and the moments of profound failure, like his dealings with Bathsheba. These experiences enriched his wisdom and understanding of power's transient nature.

Interestingly, if we observe ages throughout scripture, 70 isn’t just a standalone number; it appears many times. For example, the Israelites sojourned in the wilderness for a generation often thought to correspond to 40 years when specifically led by Moses. Renowned figures within Genesis, such as Jacob, lived to be 147—a significantly larger age, showing varied lifespans emphasize different biblical contexts. Just as David did, they experience shifts within their covenant relationships with God and the community.

Upon his death, David entrusted the kingdom to Solomon—ushering in a new era despite the tumultuous legacy of his reign. Solomon, too, expanded on David’s principles of wisdom, establishing a contrasting era of peace, in what scholars deem the building of a temple that exemplified God's glory among his people. Each intertwining life thread points to an overarching narrative span in ancient Israel, where leadership echoed humanity's complexities in faith, failure, and forgiveness.