David was born around 1113 and was the eldest son of Prince
Demetrius and grandson of King
David IV the Builder who was reigning at that time. In the 1140s, King Demetrius I had quarreled and disinherited David and chosen his youngest son, Prince
George, as
heir apparent. Why they quarreled is unknown: perhaps over David's personal defects. probably, for the
Abuletisdze family and the status of the city of
Ani. Those who had supported Prince
Vakhtang during an attempted coup against Demetrius I now opposed Demetrius' unprecedented disinheritance of David and approved the surrender of Ani to Muslim rule. Vasak
Artsruni and his brother, who negotiated
Saltuk's release, were active supporters of David. A first coup attempt failed around 1150, but in 1154 David's coup against his father succeeded. Demetrius was banished to a monastery and David ascended the throne as David V. After the overthrown of Demetrius, David V granted the office of
Amirspasalar (Commander-in-Chief) to Kirkish (Tirkash), son of Ivane
Abuletisdze who was exposed in a plot against Demetrius and executed by the Demetrius' orders in 1130s. Kirkish's promotion upset
Sumbat I and
Ivane II Orbeli. David V died suddenly six months after becoming king. According to
Vardan Areveltsi, David was poisoned by
Sumbat I and
Ivane II Orbeli, who the
Orbelis had made an agreement with the Prince
George that he would appoint them generals. According to precedence and law, after David's death, his young son, Prince
Demna should have inherited the throne. But Demetrius was restored to the throne, and he crowned his younger son, George, as co-ruler and retired to
David Gareja monastery. Others allege that Demetrius had also died, and that George then seized the throne illicitly. According to the Armenian historian
Stepanos Orbelian, gives his family's version of the events, which, unsurprisingly, exonerates them but still firmly condemns George. Stepanos denies any family involvement in the murder of David V and says that George had sworn to David V that he would rule only until Demna reached his majority, but then reneged on his vow. He claims that the
Orbelis had been the witnesses of this vow and that they led the 1177 revolt to restore Demna, who was now adult, to his rightful position. == Family ==