Q&A · 25:48-26:02

Did King David possess a navy?

David's army and militia are mentioned, while a navy remains undocumented in the account used here.

Question

Did King David have a navy in biblical Israel?

Short answer

No navy is mentioned; some maritime capability is possible, but the forces identified are an army and militia.

Notes

The account of David's forces used for this answer mentions an army and a militia, with no navy identified. Some maritime capability remains possible. The absence of a reference leaves that possibility open without establishing that a navy existed.