Event · The United Monarchy
David takes Jerusalem
David takes Jerusalem2 Samuel 5:6–12About 1010-970 BCE1 parallel account
David captures the stronghold of Zion from the Jebusites and makes Jerusalem his city.
- Main passage 2 Samuel 5:6–12
- Also told in 1 Chronicles 11:4–9
People David
Places named Jerusalem (Zion) 2 Samuel 5:7
- Place in the order
- Explicit biblical sequence Scripture itself gives the order of these events.
- Historical setting
- About 1010-970 BCE Approximate historical setting
David reigned forty years (2 Samuel 5:4-5; 1 Kings 2:11). The calendar years are conventional estimates counted back from the divided kingdom.
Read it
2 Samuel 5:6–12 WEB
6The king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke to David, saying, “The blind and the lame will keep you out of here,” thinking, “David can’t come in here.” 7Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion. This is David’s city. 8David said on that day, “Whoever strikes the Jebusites, let him go up to the watercourse and strike those lame and blind, who are hated by David’s soul.” Therefore they say, “The blind and the lame can’t come into the house.” 9David lived in the stronghold, and called it David’s city. David built around from Millo and inward. 10David grew greater and greater, for the LORD, the God of Armies, was with him. 11Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, with cedar trees, carpenters, and masons; and they built David a house. 12David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel’s sake.