The picture was begun in May 1870 and was one of five pictures sold to Mr Fox White on 10 October for a total of #3,000; the others were three more 'kitcats' and a smaller canvas of Bayswater Cottages. David was a favourite subject with Linnell, no doubt because of the pastoral connotations; a David and the Lion (1871) and a David mocking Abner are also recorded.

We are grateful to Mrs Joan Linnel Burton for kindly supplying this information.