Ancient Jerusalem - The City of David

QUESTION: Ancient Jerusalem

ANSWER:

David conquered ancient Jerusalem in approximately 1004 BC and it became known as the City of David. He brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem and it became the religious and governmental hub of the United Kingdom of Israel (Judah and Israel).

David’s son, Solomon, built the First Temple of the Jewish People in Jerusalem, but the City of David served as the capital of the United Kingdom for only two generations. After years of civil war and division, Jerusalem was restored to its central role after the northern kingdom of Israel was conquered by the Assyrians in 722 BC.

In 586 BC, the City of David was totally destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians. Ancient Jerusalem was burned, the First Temple was obliterated, and the Jewish people were taken into Babylonian exile for 70 years. The ruins of ancient Jerusalem (the City of David) have now been located just outside the present-day walls of Jerusalem.

© 2006 Ephesus Archaeology Museum. View our Copyright Notice

© 2006 Ephesus Archaeology Museum. View our Copyright Notice

© 2006 Ephesus Archaeology Museum. View our Copyright Notice