Jerusalem Is the Capital City

Then David and all Israel went to Jerusalem ((A)that is, Jebus); and the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, were there. The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, “You shall not enter here.” Nevertheless David took the mountain stronghold of Zion (that is, the city of David). Now David had said, “Whoever is first to [a]kill a Jebusite shall be chief and commander.” (B)Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, so he became chief. Then David lived in the stronghold; therefore it was called the city of David. He [b]built the city all around, from the [c]Millo to the surrounding area; and Joab [d]repaired the rest of the city. (C)And David became greater and greater, for the Lord of armies was with him.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 11:6 Lit strike
  2. 1 Chronicles 11:8 Or fortified
  3. 1 Chronicles 11:8 I.e., terraced structure
  4. 1 Chronicles 11:8 Lit revived

David Captures Jerusalem

Then David and all Israel went to Jerusalem (or Jebus, as it used to be called), where the Jebusites, the original inhabitants of the land, were living. The people of Jebus taunted David, saying, “You’ll never get in here!” But David captured the fortress of Zion, which is now called the City of David.

David had said to his troops, “Whoever is first to attack the Jebusites will become the commander of my armies!” And Joab, the son of David’s sister Zeruiah, was first to attack, so he became the commander of David’s armies.

David made the fortress his home, and that is why it is called the City of David. He extended the city from the supporting terraces[a] to the surrounding area, while Joab rebuilt the rest of Jerusalem. And David became more and more powerful, because the Lord of Heaven’s Armies was with him.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 11:8 Hebrew the millo. The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.