King David and King Solomon: Part 3 of the 7 Eras of Jerusalem

3)     King David and King Solomon

Now we skip ahead to the days of King David and his son, Solomon.  Jerusalem is often referred to as “The City of David” (II Samuel 5:9 etc.). To avoid confusion we should understand that Bethlehem Ephrathah was also sometimes  referred to as the City of David ( see Micah 5:2, Luke 2:4)  because it was here that he was born and was anointed by Samuel (I Samuel 1). However, Jerusalem is most often the intended city when this this title is given.

We read in I Chronicles  11 how the city was recaptured from the Jebusites and came to be known as “The City of David” – This was c. 1005 B.C.:


“And David and all Israel went to Jerusalem, which is Jebus, where the Jebusites were, the inhabitants of the land. But the inhabitants of Jebus said to David, “You shall not come in here!” Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion (that is, the City of David). Now David said, “Whoever attacks the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain.” And Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, and became chief. Then David dwelt in the stronghold; therefore they called it the City of David And he built the city around it, from the Millo to the surrounding area. Joab repaired the rest of the city.” I Chronicles 11:4-8


It is interesting to note that earlier David had brought the head of the giant Goliath to Jerusalem (I Samuel 17:54). Some traditions say he buried it at the hill of Golgotha  (Calvary)where Jesus died.

David also brought The Ark of the Covenant there ( II Samuel 6) and later purchased the threshing floor of Ornan ( Araunah) because that is where the Angel of the LORD was restrained by Jehovah. David proceeded to offer burnt offerings and peace offerings there ( II Samuel 24).

Because David had shed much blood, the LORD would not allow him to build the Temple. His son, Solomon, was however chosen to build it after becoming King – and guess where he built it?

“Now Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the LORD had appeared to his father David, at the place that David had prepared on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.” II Chronicles 3:1

Apparently geography is very important to God. What a wonderful picture is beginning to take shape here.

Solomon proceeded to Build the First Temple in 966 B.C. ( fashioned after the Tabernacle in the wilderness), his own house and a wall all around Jerusalem. After finishing the Temple he solemnly brought the Ark of the Covenant ( a symbol of the presence of God that looked ahead to the atonement of the Cross) into the Holy of Holies within the Temple.

Solomon’s temple stood strong for nearly 400 years until King Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, destroyed it in 586 B.C. After this the Ark of the Covenant was lost.

The next article here: Era 4 - Ezra, Nehemiah and the Maccabees

Depiction of Ornan's Threshing Floor by Balage