[1] With the support of Katsia II Dadiani, prince of Mingrelia, he seized the throne and proclaimed himself king on May 4, 1784.

Besiki lingered in Ukraine until 1789, forbidden to proceed to St Petersburg, and eventually dying in Iaşi.

[2] David's policy drew many leading aristocrats, including the Mingrelian prince Grigol Dadiani, into opposition.

In 1790, he returned with a Turkish force and deposed Solomon II, but was eventually defeated and fled Imereti.

Between 1792 and 1794, he attempted, with the Dagestan mercenaries, to reclaim the crown, but suffered a defeat and withdrew from Imereti.