with John 13:18; Psalm 69:22, 23 with Romans 11:9, 10; Psalms 69:25 and 109:8 with Acts 1:20.

PICTORIAL

The prophets often referred to David and his royal house, sometimes in connection with the last kings of Israel who sat on “the throne of David” (Jer. 13:13; 22:2, 30; 29:16; 36:30), and sometimes in a prophetic sense. (Jer. 17:25; 22:4; Amos 9:11; Zech. 12:7-12) In certain Messianic prophecies attention is focused on Jehovah’s kingdom covenant with David. For example, Isaiah says that the one called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace” will be firmly established on “the throne of David” to time indefinite. (Isa. 9:6, 7; compare also 16:5.) Jeremiah likens Messiah to “a righteous sprout” whom Jehovah “will raise up to David.” (Jer. 23:5, 6; 33:15-17) Through Ezekiel, Jehovah speaks of the Messianic Shepherd as “my servant David.”—Ezek. 34:23, 24; 37:24, 25.

In telling Mary that she would have a son called Jesus, the angel declared that “Jehovah God will give him the throne of David his father.” (Luke 1:32) According to the historians Matthew and Luke, “Jesus Christ, son of David,” was both the legal and natural heir to the throne of David. (Matt. 1:1, 17; Luke 3:23-31) Paul said that Jesus was the offspring of David according to the flesh. (Rom. 1:3; 2 Tim. 2:8) The common people also identified Jesus as the “Son of David.” (Matt. 9:27; 12:23; 15:22; 21:9, 15; Mark 10:47, 48; Luke 18:38, 39) It was important to establish this, for, as the Pharisees admitted, Messiah would be David’s son. (Matt. 22:42) The resurrected Jesus himself also bore witness, saying: “I, Jesus, . . . am the root and the offspring of David.” (Rev. 22:16) This is the one “who has the key of David,” and is “the root of David.”—Rev. 3:7; 5:5.

DAVID, CITY OF

The name given to the “stronghold of Zion” after its capture from the Jebusites. (2 Sam. 5:6-9) This section is understood to be the spur or ridge that runs S from Mount Moriah. It thus lay S of the site of the temple later built by Solomon. Today this narrow southern plateau is considerably lower than Mount Moriah. Josephus claimed that the Maccabees (or Hasmonaeans) removed the crest of the hill in the second century B.C.E. so that it would not appear to rival the height of the temple area. So, it is possible that in ancient times its height may have been more comparable, though still beneath the height of the temple site.

This site was very suitable for a “stronghold,” since it was protected by deep valleys on three sides, on the W the Tyropean valley, and on the E the Kidron valley, which joins the Valley of Hinnom at the southern end of the spur. (1 Chron. 11:7) The city required major protection only from the N, and here the ridge became even narrower, making an attack extremely difficult. The northern boundary of this “city of David” has not yet been definitely established, though some authorities recommend as likely the above-mentioned narrow place. Over the centuries debris has filled in the valleys to a great extent, making the strategic location and strength of this site less notable. The total area of the ancient city of David is estimated to have been no more than eight or ten acres (3.2 or 4 hectares).

In the Kidron valley near the foot of the eastern flank of the spur on which the stronghold sat, there is a spring called Gihon. (1 Ki. 1:33) Archaeological excavations indicate that from ancient times a tunnel or shaft was cut through the rock, making access to the spring possible without leaving the city walls. It is suggested that it was by climbing up this shaft that Joab and his men were able to penetrate the stronghold and take it.—2 Sam. 5:8; 1 Chron. 11:5, 6.

The name “city of David” resulted from David’s making his royal residence there, after ruling for seven and a half years in Hebron. Here, with contributions from Hiram of Tyre, David’s “house of cedars” was built. (2 Sam. 5:5, 9, 11; 7:2) David had the ark of the covenant brought from the house of Obed-edom up to the city of David, his wife, Michal, being able to see the procession approach from a window of David’s house. (2 Sam. 6:10-16; 1 Chron. 15:1, 29) Upon his death, the king was buried in the city, a custom followed with many other monarchs of the Davidic line.—1 Ki. 2:10.

FROM SOLOMON’S REIGN ONWARD

Solomon transferred the Ark to the newly constructed temple on the more spacious plateau to the N of the city of David. The expression that they ‘brought up the ark out of the city of David’ shows that the temple area lay on higher ground, Mount Moriah being higher than the southern spur. (1 Ki. 8:1) After his marriage to Pharaoh’s daughter, Solomon had placed her in the city of David. (1 Ki 3:1) But, upon the completion of a new residence closer to the temple area, he removed her from the city of David because it was viewed as holy, the