David was born near Langside in Glasgow to George Adam and Jane (née Constable), both schoolteachers.
[2] Between 1881 and 1884, he taught logic and metaphysics at the University of Glasgow, later teaching Hebrew at Free Church Training College between 1885 and 1886.
In 1907 he was appointed chair of systematic theology and church history at Ormond College, being inducted on 11 March.
[6] In 1916, Adam served as a Chaplain 4th Class of the Hospital Transport Corps in the First Australian Imperial Force.
[7][8] In 1924, he left Australia with his wife in order to see his daughter in China;[2] he also planned to see Christianity in Asia.