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David Conquers Jerusalem

David and the whole Israelite army[a] advanced to Jerusalem (that is, Jebus).[b] (The Jebusites, the land’s original inhabitants, lived there.)[c] The residents of Jebus said to David, “You cannot invade this place!” But David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the City of David). [d] David said, “Whoever attacks[e] the Jebusites first will become commanding general!”[f] So Joab son of Zeruiah attacked[g] first and became commander.[h] David lived in the fortress; for this reason it is called the City of David. He built up the city around it, from the terrace to the surrounding walls;[i] Joab restored the rest of the city. David’s power steadily grew, for the Lord of Heaven’s Armies was with him.[j]

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Chronicles 11:4 tn Heb “all Israel.”
  2. 1 Chronicles 11:4 sn Jebus was an older name for the city of Jerusalem (cf. Josh 15:8; Judg 1:21).
  3. 1 Chronicles 11:4 tn Heb “and there [were] the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land.”
  4. 1 Chronicles 11:6 sn Verse 6 inserts into the narrative parenthetical information about Joab’s role in the conquest of the city. Verse 7 then picks up where v. 5 left off.
  5. 1 Chronicles 11:6 tn Or perhaps “strikes down.”
  6. 1 Chronicles 11:6 tn Heb “head and officer.”
  7. 1 Chronicles 11:6 tn Heb “went up.”
  8. 1 Chronicles 11:6 tn Heb “head.”
  9. 1 Chronicles 11:8 tn Heb “to that which surrounds.” On the referent here as “the surrounding walls,” see HALOT 740 s.v. סָבִיב.
  10. 1 Chronicles 11:9 tn Heb “and David went, going and becoming great, and the Lord of Heaven’s Armies [traditionally, Lord of hosts] was with him.”

David’s Capture of Jerusalem

David(A) and all Israel marched to Jerusalem (that is, Jebus); the Jebusites who inhabited the land were there.(B) The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, “You will never get in here.” Yet David did capture the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David.

David said, “Whoever is the first to kill a Jebusite will become chief commander.” Joab(C) son of Zeruiah went up first, so he became the chief.

Then David took up residence in the stronghold; therefore, it was called the city of David. He built up the city all the way around, from the supporting terraces to the surrounding parts, and Joab restored the rest of the city. David steadily grew more powerful,(D) and the Lord of Armies was with him.

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