The City of David

[Fish and Bread]

My chronological bible reading has advanced to the point in 2 Samuel where King David takes Jerusalem. In the text, it makes no mention of him *retaking* it, it simply says he conquers it. I've been spacing out my bible reading so much that I don't remember -- Is this the Israelites first occupation of Jerusalem or did they build it way back when, lose it, and then are finally retaking it? I don't remember reading about them losing the city in the first place, which is part of what makes me wonder.

[Simon_Templar]

As far as I'm aware when David took the city it was the first time it had been under the control of Israelites. The site was ascociated with Abraham, and at the time it was simply called Salem (or peace).

Abraham went to the mountain of Moriah (which was the temple mount later) just outside the city when he was going to sacrifice Isaac, and he also stopped at Salem and tithed to its King Melchizidek.

apparently between the time of Abraham and David the city had been taken by a tribe called the jebusites and renamed to Jerusalem. There were a few cities that were not conquered during the conquest of canaan under Joshua and thus remained for later generations to conquer. This was apparently one of them.

[Fish and Bread]

Thanks Simon. That's a very good explanation.

[Wiffey]

It is a shame that so much unrest threatens the Holy City. I travelled to Jerusalem in 1990 and was fortunate enough to spend some time in the Old City. Just incredible! At sunset the rock walls gleam pink and gold in the light...it takes one's breath away.