The City of David is located on a narrow ridge south of the Temple Mount, outside the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem. Specifically, it's situated:

  • Geographical Location:
    • It lies on the southeastern ridge of ancient Jerusalem.
    • It's bordered by the Kidron Valley to the east, the Hinnom Valley to the south, and the Central (Tyropoeon) Valley to the west.
    • Today, this area is within the Palestinian neighborhood of Wadi Hilweh in Silwan, East Jerusalem.  

Here's a summary of its history and archaeological findings:

Historical Significance:

  • Ancient Origins:
    • The City of David represents the oldest settled area of Jerusalem.  
    • It was a Canaanite city before King David conquered it, as described in the Hebrew Bible.
    • David made it his capital, hence the name "City of David."
  • Biblical Importance:
    • It's central to biblical narratives, particularly those concerning King David and subsequent Israelite kings.  
    • Significant events from the Old Testament occurred there.  
  • Successive Periods:
    • The site has evidence of occupation from the Bronze Age through the Byzantine period.

Archaeological Findings:

  • Key Discoveries:
    • Stepped Stone Structure: A massive supporting wall, believed to have supported royal buildings.  
    • Gihon Spring: The primary water source that made the location viable for early settlement.  
    • Hezekiah's Tunnel: A water tunnel dug during King Hezekiah's reign to secure water during a siege.  
    • Pool of Siloam: An ancient pool that has been excavated, and has biblical significance.  
    • Findings that help to display the development of the city through the various periods of time.
  • Ongoing Excavations:
    • Archaeological work continues at the City of David, yielding new discoveries and insights into its past.  
    • There are some disagreements between scholars about the interpretations of some of the findings.
  • Contextual Considerations:
    • It is important to understand that the city of David is in an area of political tension, and that some of the archeological work is viewed differently by different groups.  

In essence, the City of David is a crucial archaeological site for understanding the early history of Jerusalem and the biblical narrative.  

 CITY OF DAVID