Why is Jerusalem called “David’s city?”

1 Chronicles 11:4, “The people who lived in Jebus told David, ‘You’ll never get in here!’ But David captured the mountain fortress of Zion, which became David’s city.” Common English Bible

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“As in the source material from 2 Samuel 5, the Chronicler follows the declaration of David as king over the nation with an account of the capture of Jerusalem. …Jebus: Within the Bible, this is the name for the city of Jerusalem before it came under Israelite control (Judges 19:10-11). Because it wasn’t claimed as part of the territory of any of the 12 tribes, it’s a politically neutral geography over which no tribe has greater or lesser power.” Common English Bible Notes on 1 Chronicles 11:4

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“…since Jerusalem isn’t the possession of Israel or Judah, but on the border of both, that it makes an attractive neutral capital. …Jerusalem becomes literally David’s city (2 Samuel 5:9), belonging to neither Israel or Judah.” Common English Bible Notes on 2 Samuel 5:9

Jerusalem was a smart political capital. It brought Israel and Judah back together. No tribe could lord it over the others that the capital was in their inheritance. It was also a city of peace.

“Jerusalem wasn’t an Israelite city. It was the city of a Canaanite group known as the Jebusites. With no hint of motivation or preparation, David marches on Jerusalem. …The Jebusites are so confident, they boast that even the blind and the lame can defend the city (see 2 Samuel 5:6). David doesn’t really conquer the city. He takes it by stealth. …David fortifies the city further, and most believe that David was able to incorporate the Jebusites with their skills in commercial trade into his administration without having violently conquered them.” Common English Bible Notes on 2 Samuel 5:6-10

David was a good politician. He conquered their city and convinced them to continue to live and work there. He even got them to work for him!

February 11, 2020: 1 Chronicles 11, 12; Psalms 133; 1 Chronicles 14.

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