Dawud (peace be upon him) was granted prophethood and kingship by Allah. As a young man, he faced and killed the tyrant Jalut (Goliath), after which Allah gave him sovereignty and wisdom and taught him what He willed (2:251). Allah gave him the Zabur (Psalms) as a revealed Scripture (4:163, 17:55).
Allah bestowed great favour upon him: He made the mountains and the birds join Dawud in glorifying Allah, and He made iron pliable in his hands so that he could fashion coats of mail (34:10-11, 21:79-80). Dawud was granted a beautiful voice for praising Allah, and Allah commanded him to be grateful (34:13).
Allah made him a khalifah on the earth and instructed him to judge between people with justice and truth, and not to follow desire, for that leads astray from the path of Allah (38:26). His devotion was such that the Qur'an calls him possessor of strength, ever turning back to Allah (awwab) (38:17).
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ praised Dawud's worship, saying the most beloved fasting to Allah is the fasting of Dawud, who fasted every other day, and the most beloved prayer to Allah is the prayer of Dawud, who slept half the night, prayed a third, and slept a sixth (agreed upon). Dawud stands as a model of a just ruler devoted to the worship and remembrance of Allah.