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Atomic Bible
1 Chronicles 11:4-9·~1 min

David Conquers Jerusalem

David and Israel march to Jebus despite the city’s confidence that he cannot enter. David answers the challenge by promising command to the first man who strikes a Jebusite.

T4hen David and all the Israelites marched to Jerusalem (that is, Jebus), where the Jebusites inhabited the land. 5The people of Jebus said to David, “You will never get in here.” 6Now David had said, “Whoever is the first to strike down a Jebusite will become chief commander.”

David takes the fortress and settles there, and the place becomes known as the City of David. The city is rebuilt and strengthened, and David keeps growing greater because the LORD is with him.

7So David took up residence in the fortress; that is why it was called the City of David. 8He built up the city around it, from the supporting terraces to the surrounding wall, while Joab restored the rest of the city. 9And David became greater and greater, for the LORD of Hosts was with him.

Section summaryDavid marches with Israel against Jerusalem, takes the Jebusite stronghold, and makes it his residence. As the city is built up around the fortress, David grows steadily stronger because the LORD of Hosts is with him.
Role in the chapterThis section gives David a royal center and shows his reign becoming established in place as well as title. Jerusalem becomes the visible seat of a kingdom strengthened by the LORD’s presence.