David Captures Jerusalem

The Jebusites boasted that even the blind and lame could hold their fortress against David. He took the stronghold of Zion anyway and made it the city of David.

Once David was anointed king over all Israel, he marched on Jerusalem, then called Jebus and held by the Jebusites. Confident in their fortress, the defenders taunted him that even the blind and the lame could keep him out. Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion. He promised that whoever went up first through the gutter and struck the Jebusites would be chief and captain, and 1 Chronicles records that Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first and won the command. David made the fortress his home and called it the city of David, building round about from Millo, and he grew great because the LORD God of hosts was with him. Jerusalem became Israel's royal city, and soon afterward David brought the ark of God there.

0:00

Details

Era: United Kingdom
Category: United Kingdom
Participants: David's men vs. the Jebusites
Outcome: Stronghold of Zion taken and made the city of David
Divine Intervention: No

Key Chapters

2 Samuel 5 David King Over All Israel 4 min read The city its defenders thought could never fall becomes the city of David, becau... 1 Chronicles 11 David Becomes King 6 min read Chronicles adds that Joab led the assault and earned the post of chief captain.

Key Passages

The Strong Hold of Zion

2 Samuel 5:6-10

The city its defenders thought could never fall becomes the city of David, because the LORD of hosts was with him.

A⁶nd the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither.

⁷ Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David. ⁸ And David said on that day, Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind, that are hated of David’s soul, he shall be chief and captain. Wherefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house. ⁹ So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward. ¹⁰ And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him.

The Chronicler's Account

1 Chronicles 11:4-9

Chronicles adds that Joab led the assault and earned the post of chief captain.

A⁴nd David and all Israel went to Jerusalem, which is Jebus; where the Jebusites were, the inhabitants of the land.

⁵ And the inhabitants of Jebus said to David, Thou shalt not come hither. Nevertheless David took the castle of Zion, which is the city of David. ⁶ And David said, Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain. So Joab the son of Zeruiah went first up, and was chief. ⁷ And David dwelt in the castle; therefore they called it the city of David. ⁸ And he built the city round about, even from Millo round about: and Joab repaired the rest of the city. ⁹ So David waxed greater and greater: for the LORD of hosts was with him.