Topical Bible: Jerusalem: Conquest of Mount Zion In, Made by David

◄ Jerusalem: Conquest of Mount Zion In, Made by David ►

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The conquest of Mount Zion by King David marks a pivotal moment in biblical history, establishing Jerusalem as the political and spiritual center of Israel. This event is recorded in the Old Testament, primarily in the books of 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles.

Historical Context

Before David's conquest, Jerusalem was a Jebusite stronghold. The Jebusites were a Canaanite tribe that inhabited the land prior to the Israelite settlement. Despite its strategic location and fortified defenses, Jerusalem had remained unconquered by the Israelites during the initial conquest of Canaan under Joshua.

David's Ascension and Strategy

Following the death of King Saul, David was anointed as king over Judah and later over all Israel. Recognizing the need for a neutral and centrally located capital, David set his sights on Jerusalem. The city's capture would unify the tribes and establish a central place of worship and governance.

The biblical account of the conquest is found in 2 Samuel 5:6-10 and 1 Chronicles 11:4-9. The Berean Standard Bible provides the following narrative:

2 Samuel 5:6-7 : "Now the king and his men marched to Jerusalem against the Jebusites who inhabited the land. And the Jebusites said to David, 'You will never get in here; even the blind and lame can repel you,' thinking, 'David cannot get in here.' Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the City of David)."

David's strategy involved a daring assault on the seemingly impregnable fortress. The Jebusites, confident in their defenses, taunted David, believing their city to be invulnerable. However, David's forces exploited a weakness in the city's defenses, possibly through a water shaft or tunnel, as suggested by the parallel account in 1 Chronicles 11:6.

Significance of the Conquest

The capture of Jerusalem was not merely a military victory but a divinely ordained event that fulfilled God's promises to Israel. By establishing his capital in Jerusalem, David laid the foundation for the city's future as the religious heart of the nation. It became known as the "City of David," symbolizing the unification of the tribes under a divinely appointed monarchy.

1 Chronicles 11:9 highlights the divine favor upon David: "And David became greater and greater, for the LORD of Hosts was with him."

Religious and Political Implications

The conquest of Mount Zion had profound religious implications. It set the stage for the eventual construction of the Temple by David's son, Solomon, making Jerusalem the focal point of Jewish worship. Politically, it solidified David's rule and established a central location from which he could govern the united tribes of Israel.

Jerusalem's selection as the capital city underscored its significance in God's redemptive plan, a theme that resonates throughout the biblical narrative. The city's enduring legacy as a spiritual center continues to hold profound importance in Judeo-Christian thought.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Chronicles 11:4-6
And David and all Israel went to Jerusalem, which is Jebus; where the Jebusites were, the inhabitants of the land.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Reign of David.
... up somewhat as follows: (1) His capture of Jerusalem (formerly called ... David's foreign
policy was one of conquest. ... up the ark and place it on Mount Zion and to ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xi the reign of.htm

The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem
... That Upon The Conquest And Slaughter Of Vitellius ... The Great Slaughters And Sacrilege
That Were In Jerusalem. ... Round About The Upper City [Mount Zion] And When ...
/.../josephus/the wars of the jews or history of the destruction of jerusalem/

Deliverance from Assyria
... the armies of Assyria, fresh from the conquest of the ... For out of Jerusalem shall
go forth a remnant, and they that escape out of Mount Zion: the zeal of ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 30 deliverance from assyria.htm

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
... built and complete, have a complete conquest and victory ... unto Zarephath; and the
captivity of Jerusalem which is ... saviours shall come up on mount Zion, to judge ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy city or the.htm

A Full-Length Picture in Colors.
... familiar by Eden, by the flame-tipped mount and the ... is not to be by man's method
of conquest, but of ... In that time the Hebrew capital Jerusalem will likewise be ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks about jesus/a full-length picture in colors.htm

The Last Agony
... Its conquest was but a drop in the bucket of ... conquerors at the middle gate of Jerusalem
that sent ... the valley between Zion and the temple mount, afforded cover ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the last agony.htm

His Unconscious Preparation for his Work
... before going to sit by those which spring from Mount Zion? ... at this time the college
of Jerusalem was presided ... had something to do with the conquest he finally ...
/.../stalker/the life of st paul/chapter ii his unconscious preparation.htm

The Temple and Its Dedication
... the palace crowning the heights of Mount Moriah might ... wanderings in the wilderness
and their conquest of Canaan ... I have chosen Jerusalem, that My name might be ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 2 the temple and.htm

Covenanting Enforced by the Grant of Covenant Signs and Seals.
... manifest themselves as by purchase and conquest, and their ... of Judah and inhabitants
of Jerusalem," is given ... of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion."[729] And ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter xi covenanting enforced by.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... of the celestial Yazatas, soars above Mount Hara,* before ... of Nabonidus, where mention
is made of a ... ruled, exhausted by the Assyrian conquest, and depopulated ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm