Topical Bible: Jerusalem: Spoils of War Placed In

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Jerusalem, the city chosen by God as the spiritual and political center of Israel, holds a significant place in biblical history as a repository for the spoils of war. Throughout the Old Testament, Jerusalem is depicted as a city where treasures and spoils taken from defeated enemies were brought and dedicated to the Lord, signifying both divine victory and the consecration of wealth for sacred purposes.

David's Conquests and Dedications

King David, a central figure in the establishment of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, was instrumental in bringing spoils of war to the city. After defeating various enemies, David dedicated the plunder to the Lord, setting a precedent for future kings. In 2 Samuel 8:11, it is recorded, "King David dedicated these articles to the LORD, as he had done with the silver and gold from all the nations he had subdued." This act of dedication was not merely a political gesture but a religious one, acknowledging God's hand in Israel's victories.

Solomon's Temple and Wealth

David's son, Solomon, continued this tradition by using the wealth accumulated from his father's conquests and his own reign to build the Temple in Jerusalem. The Temple became the central place of worship and a symbol of Israel's prosperity and divine favor. In 1 Kings 7:51, it is noted, "So all the work that King Solomon did for the house of the LORD was completed. Then Solomon brought in the things his father David had dedicated—the silver, the gold, and the furnishings—and he placed them in the treasuries of the house of the LORD."

Hezekiah's Reforms and Treasures

During the reign of King Hezekiah, Jerusalem once again became a focal point for the spoils of war. Hezekiah, known for his religious reforms and trust in God, faced the threat of the Assyrian empire. After God's miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem from the Assyrians, Hezekiah received gifts and treasures from surrounding nations, which he stored in the city. However, this wealth later attracted the attention of Babylonian envoys, as recorded in 2 Kings 20:13, "And Hezekiah received the messengers and showed them all that was in his treasure house—the silver, the gold, the spices, and the precious oil, as well as his armory and everything found in his storehouses. There was nothing in his palace or in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them."

Theological Significance

The placement of spoils of war in Jerusalem underscores the city's role as a divine stronghold and a testament to God's provision and protection. The dedication of these spoils to the Lord reflects a recognition of His sovereignty and the belief that all victories and wealth ultimately belong to Him. This practice also served to remind the Israelites of their covenant relationship with God, who fought on their behalf and blessed them with abundance.

Throughout the biblical narrative, Jerusalem stands as a symbol of God's enduring presence with His people, a place where the material and spiritual intersect, and where the victories of Israel are celebrated and consecrated to the glory of God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 17:54
And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armor in his tent.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Samuel 8:7
And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

That Vespasian, after He had Taken Gadara Made Preparation for the ...
... 9. But now sedition and civil war prevailed, not ... number of them to retire to Jerusalem;
he followed ... They also devoured what spoils they had taken, together ...
/.../chapter 9 that vespasian after.htm

How Joshua, the Commander of the Hebrews, Made War with The
... came to Gilgal, he divided all these spoils among the ... Gibeonites, who inhabited very
near to Jerusalem, when they ... little mercy from him, who made war that he ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 how joshua the.htm

Concerning John of Gischala. Concerning the Zealots and the High ...
... with the Romans for a surrender of Jerusalem to them ... see those of our own nation
taking our spoils, and plundering ... can any one be afraid of a war abroad, and ...
/.../chapter 3 concerning john of.htm

The Destruction of Jerusalem.
... were pictured chariots and men of war gathering for ... almost without loss, and with
their spoils returned in ... as in the time of Jerusalem's destruction, God's ...
/.../1 the destruction of jerusalem.htm

The Destruction of Jerusalem
... were pictured chariots and men of war gathering for ... almost without loss, and with
their spoils returned in ... as in the time of Jerusalem's destruction, God's ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 1 the destruction of.htm

Concerning Nebuchadnezzar and his Successors and How their ...
... in a magnificent manner, with the spoils he had ... and Darius, the king of Media, make
war; and when ... which Nebuchadnezzar had plundered out of Jerusalem, and had ...
/.../the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 concerning nebuchadnezzar and.htm

Concerning the Sabbatic River which Titus Saw as He was Journeying ...
... that such a thing they had undergone during this war. ... number of ships; and for the
other spoils, they were ... that were taken in the temple of Jerusalem, [9] they ...
/.../chapter v concerning the sabbatic.htm

How the Romans Carried their Ensigns to the Temple, and Made ...
... of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem. ... soldiers had such vast
quantities of the spoils which they ... have, since that time, made open war with the ...
/.../chapter 6 how the romans.htm

How Trypho after He had Beaten Demetrius Delivered the Kingdom to ...
... to the Jews out of the rich spoils he had ... and slain two thousand of the enemy, returned
to Jerusalem. ... of these opinions in the second book of the Jewish War. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 how trypho after.htm

Guelf and Ghibelline. (ii)
... of many important royal rights, especially the right of spoils. ... of the title of King
of Jerusalem by his ... In 1236 Frederick declared war against the League. ...
/.../medley/the church and the empire/chapter xv guelf and ghibelline.htm