King David's reign is traditionally dated as beginning in 1000 BC. Christian images of King David go back at least as far as the catacombs (example).
Many of the Psalms are headed "Psalm of David" and he was taken to be the composer of the entire Psalter. He is especially associated with Psalm 50 (51) (cached), whose title is "Psalm of David, when the prophet Nathan came to him when he had an affair with Bathsheba" -- the story told in 2 Samuel 12:1-15 (cached).
Because of this presumption of authorship, King David's attributes are a harp and whatever signifies royalty at the time of the painting. For most of the high middle ages, that means a crown, as at left. However, in the first millenium David's kingship can be expressed by such signifiers as sitting on a throne (example) or standing under an imperial arch (example).
At left, 15th-century Italian painting
Narrative images:
David's
prayer after Nathan's exposure of his sin
The Calling of
David (angel): 1
Sam 16:1-13 (cached)
The
Calling of David (God)
David
and Goliath: 1
Samuel 17:1-54 (cached)
David
Anointed
King: 2
Samuel 5:1-4 (cached)*
David
Anointed King: 2
Samuel 5:1-4 (cached)* 
King David and
Bathsheba: 2
Samuel 11:1-5 (cached)*Also see 2 Samuel 2:4 (cached)
Hagiography:
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