Chapter 70—The Reign of David
This chapter is based on
2 Samuel 5:6-25
;
6
;
7
;
9
;
10
.
As soon as David was established on the throne of Israel he began
to seek a more appropriate location for the capital of his realm. Twenty
miles from Hebron a place was selected as the future metropolis of the
kingdom. Before Joshua had led the armies of Israel over Jordan it had
been called Salem. Near this place Abraham had proved his loyalty to
God. Eight hundred years before the coronation of David it had been
the home of Melchizedek, the priest of the most high God. It held
a central and elevated position in the country and was protected by
an environment of hills. Being on the border between Benjamin and
Judah, it was in close proximity to Ephraim and was easy of access to
the other tribes.
In order to secure this location the Hebrews must dispossess a rem-
nant of the Canaanites, who held a fortified position on the mountains
of Zion and Moriah. This stronghold was called Jebus, and its inhabi-
tants were known as Jebusites. For centuries Jebus had been looked
upon as impregnable; but it was besieged and taken by the Hebrews
under the command of Joab, who, as the reward of his valor, was made
commander-in-chief of the armies of Israel. Jebus now became the
national capital, and its heathen name was changed to Jerusalem.
Hiram, king of the wealthy city of Tyre, on the Mediterranean Sea,
now sought an alliance with the king of Israel, and lent his aid to David
in the work of erecting a palace at Jerusalem. Ambassadors were sent
from Tyre, accompanied by architects and workmen and long trains
laden with costly wood, cedar trees, and other valuable material.
The increasing strength of Israel in its union under David, the
acquisition of the stronghold of Jebus, and the alliance with Hiram,
king of Tyre, excited the hostility of the Philistines, and they again
invaded the country with a strong force, taking up their position in
[704]
the valley of Rephaim, but a short distance from Jerusalem. David
with his men of war retired to the stronghold of Zion, to await divine
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