Bible Dictionary
David, City of
The City of David refers either to the fortress of Zion in Jerusalem, which David captured and made his royal residence, or to Bethlehem, David’s birthplace and early home.
Definition
“City of David” designates either the fortress of Zion in Jerusalem, captured by David and made his royal residence, or Bethlehem, David’s birthplace and early home. The Jerusalem designation distinguished the castle and royal palace on Mount Zion from Jerusalem generally.
Biblical Usage
David dwelt in the fortress after taking it from the Jebusites and called it the City of David. Bethlehem bears the same name because it was David’s birthplace and early home.
Historical Background
The fortress stood on the southwest side of Jerusalem, opposite the temple mount, and was connected with it by a bridge over the Tyropoeon valley. Bethlehem was also known as David’s city in the Gospel accounts.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(1.) David took from the Jebusites the fortress of Mount Zion. He “dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David” (1 Chr. 11:7). This was the name afterwards given to the castle and royal palace on Mount Zion, as distinguished from Jerusalem generally (1 Kings 3:1; 8:1), It was on the south-west side of Jerusalem, opposite the temple mount, with which it was connected by a bridge over the Tyropoeon valley. (2) Bethlehem is called the “city of David” (Luke 2:4, 11), because it was David’s birth-place and early home (1 Sam. 17:12).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
[Jerusalem]
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>See ZION.</p>