Topical Bible: Jerusalem: Made the Royal City

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Jerusalem holds a central place in biblical history and theology, being designated as the royal city during the reign of King David. This transformation marked a significant moment in the history of Israel, as Jerusalem became not only the political capital but also the spiritual heart of the nation.

David's Conquest and Establishment of Jerusalem as the Capital

The city of Jerusalem, originally known as Jebus, was inhabited by the Jebusites. Despite its formidable defenses, King David captured the city, as recorded in 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)." This conquest was pivotal, as it established Jerusalem as the political and military center of Israel.

The Ark of the Covenant and the Religious Significance

David's decision to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem further solidified the city's status as the spiritual center of Israel. In 2 Samuel 6:12-15, we read: "So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the City of David with rejoicing. When those carrying the ark of the LORD had taken six steps, he sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. And David, wearing a linen ephod, danced with all his might before the LORD, while he and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting and the sound of the horn." The presence of the Ark in Jerusalem symbolized God's dwelling among His people and underscored the city's religious significance.

Solomon's Temple and the Consolidation of Jerusalem's Role

King Solomon, David's son, further enhanced Jerusalem's status by constructing the First Temple, a permanent dwelling place for the Ark and a central place of worship for the Israelites. 1 Kings 6:1 records the beginning of this monumental project: "In the four hundred and eightieth year after the Israelites had come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month of Ziv, the second month, he began to build the house of the LORD." The completion of the Temple established Jerusalem as the focal point of Israelite worship and religious life.

Prophetic Significance and Future Hope

Throughout the prophetic literature, Jerusalem is often depicted as the center of God's redemptive plan. The prophets spoke of a future time when Jerusalem would be exalted and become a place of peace and righteousness. Isaiah 2:2-3 proclaims: "In the last days the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. And many peoples will come and say, 'Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways so that we may walk in His paths.' For the law will go forth from Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem."

Jerusalem in the New Testament

In the New Testament, Jerusalem continues to play a crucial role. It is the city where Jesus was presented at the Temple as a child (Luke 2:22-38), where He taught and performed miracles, and where He was crucified and resurrected. The early church was born in Jerusalem, as described in Acts 2, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles during Pentecost.

Jerusalem's designation as the royal city under David and its continued significance throughout biblical history highlight its unique role in God's unfolding plan for His people.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Samuel 5:9
So David dwelled in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Samuel 20:3
And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in ward, and fed them, but went not in to them. So they were shut up to the day of their death, living in widowhood.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

How David Laid Siege to Jerusalem; and when He had Taken the City ...
... men skillful in building and architecture, that they might build him a royal palace
at Jerusalem. Now David made buildings round about the lower city: he also ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 how david laid.htm

How Athaliah Reigned Over Jerusalem for Five [Six] Years when ...
... of it, and came and brought them to Jerusalem to the ... child standing upon a pillar,
with the royal crown upon ... the armed men into the temple, and made them take ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 how athaliah reigned.htm

How Amaziah Made an Expedition against the Edomites and Amalekites ...
... to kill him. So they took up his dead body, and carried it to Jerusalem,
and made a royal funeral for him. This was the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 how amaziah made.htm

The Surrender of Gischala; While John Flies Away from it to ...
... would be occasion for great pains about Jerusalem, which was not yet taken, because
it was the royal city, and the ... walls that were built round it made him not ...
/.../chapter 2 the surrender of.htm

How Solomon Fortified the City of Jerusalem, and Built Great ...
... reader presently; but I have now made mention of ... Accordingly she came to Jerusalem
with great splendor and ... the fineness and largeness of his royal palace, and ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 how solomon fortified.htm

Concerning Jehoshaphat the King of Jerusalem and How Ahab Made an ...
... iron, and said to Ahab, that God made those horns ... did Ahab, and Jehoshaphat the king
of Jerusalem, take their ... that Ahab should lay aside his royal robes, but ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 15 concerning jehoshaphat the.htm

The Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
... rides to his capital; the streets of Jerusalem, the royal ... from kingdom to kingdom,
till every royal city and every ... He could have made those that dwelt in the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/the triumphal entry into jerusalem.htm

How Pompey when the Citizens of Jerusalem Shut their Gates against ...
... of this misery which came upon Jerusalem were Hyrcanus ... above ten thousand talents;
and the royal authority, which ... then went away to Cilicia, and made haste to ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 how pompey when.htm

How Solomon Grew Rich, and Fell Desperately in Love with Women and ...
... of black stone along the roads that led to Jerusalem, which was the royal city,
both to render ... And the king made silver as plentiful in Jerusalem as stones ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 how solomon grew.htm

What Cestius did against the Jews; and How, Upon his Besieging ...
... the religious observation [of the sabbath] made them too ... the Jews to flight, and
pursued them to Jerusalem. ... pitched his camp over against the royal palace; and ...
/.../chapter 19 what cestius did.htm