1 Chronicles 11 7

1 Chronicles 11:7 kjv

And David dwelt in the castle; therefore they called it the city of David.

1 Chronicles 11:7 nkjv

Then David dwelt in the stronghold; therefore they called it the City of David.

1 Chronicles 11:7 niv

David then took up residence in the fortress, and so it was called the City of David.

1 Chronicles 11:7 esv

And David lived in the stronghold; therefore it was called the city of David.

1 Chronicles 11:7 nlt

David made the fortress his home, and that is why it is called the City of David.

1 Chronicles 11 verses

1 Chronicles 11 7 Meaning

David's taking of the formidable Jebusite stronghold of Zion and establishing his residence within it fundamentally transformed its identity. This verse signifies the moment Jerusalem became the permanent political and religious capital of Israel under David, henceforth known as "the city of David," a name symbolizing the covenant God made with him and his descendants.

1 Chronicles 11 7 Context

1 Chronicles chapter 11 opens with the unification of all Israel under David's kingship at Hebron, signifying a pivotal moment in the nation's history. After being established as king over all Israel, David immediately directs his attention to securing a central capital. The Jebusite city of Jerusalem, particularly its "stronghold of Zion," was an independent enclave located between the territories of Benjamin and Judah. It was deemed impenetrable due to its natural defenses and a formidable Jebusite garrison. Verses 4-6 describe David's successful capture of this stronghold through Joab's valor. This verse (11:7) directly follows this conquest, detailing David's decision to inhabit the fortress, marking its transformation into the unified kingdom's political and spiritual center, henceforth known by the king's own name, "the city of David." The Chronicler’s account, like 2 Samuel 5, underscores David's divinely appointed role and the foundational significance of Jerusalem to the kingdom and God's plan.

1 Chronicles 11 7 Word analysis

• And: (Heb. וְ - ve) A conjunction linking David's kingship and conquest to this immediate action. It signifies continuity in the narrative of David establishing his reign.
• David: (Heb. דָּוִיד - Dawid) The central figure, God's anointed king of Israel, from the tribe of Judah, destined to establish a dynastic line.
• dwelt: (Heb. יָשַׁב - yashab) Means to sit, abide, or inhabit. This implies more than just visiting or temporarily staying; it signifies establishing a permanent residence, taking possession, and making it a seat of power. This act confirms David's full dominion over the captured fortress.
• in the fort: (Heb. בַּמְּצוּדָה - ba-metzudah) Refers to the conquered Jebusite stronghold of Zion. Metzudah signifies a fortress, stronghold, or strong place, highlighting its previous impregnable nature and the military achievement of its capture. Its inherent strength would now protect David and his kingdom.
• therefore: (Heb. עַל־כֵּן - al-ken) A direct cause-and-effect connector. David's choice to reside there is the specific reason for its renaming. This emphasizes David's personal claim and the public acknowledgment of that claim.
• they called it: (Heb. קָרְאוּ לָהּ - kar'u lah) A collective action, suggesting general recognition and popular affirmation of the new name. This was not a private decision but a public renaming, accepted by the people and affirmed by subsequent history.
• the city of David: (Heb. עִיר דָּוִיד - Ir Dawid) This is the new, definitive name for the conquered stronghold of Zion/Jerusalem. It symbolizes the transfer of ownership, authority, and identity to David. This name became crucial, associating the holy city indelibly with the chosen king and, by extension, the Davidic covenant and the Messianic line. While Bethlehem is also called "the city of David" (referring to David's ancestral home), this verse explicitly establishes Jerusalem as the "city of David" due to his residency there.

• And David dwelt in the fort: This phrase emphasizes David's decisive action to inhabit the strategic stronghold he had just conquered. It immediately solidifies his claim and begins the transformation of Jerusalem into the national capital. This act was central to unifying the northern and southern tribes, as Jerusalem sat strategically between them and did not belong to any specific tribal inheritance initially.
• therefore they called it the city of David: This phrase highlights the profound impact of David's occupation. The renaming was not arbitrary but a direct consequence of the king's presence and possession. It signals a new era, marking Jerusalem not just as a geographical location but as a place identified with the reign and legacy of David, which in turn carried immense theological significance for God's covenant with him.

1 Chronicles 11 7 Bonus section

The capture of Jerusalem and its designation as "the city of David" highlights divine providence. The Jebusites, trusting in their defenses, scoffed that even the blind and lame could defend their city against David. David's decisive capture through Joab's strategy, by scaling a water shaft, demonstrates human courage aided by divine will, overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds. This act also positioned Jerusalem to eventually become the chosen place where God's Name would dwell in the Temple (built by Solomon, David's son), elevating its status beyond a mere capital to a holy city. The name "city of David" thus served not only as a monument to David's conquest and reign but also as a perpetual reminder of the divine election of David and his royal line.

1 Chronicles 11 7 Commentary

1 Chronicles 11:7 encapsulates a monumental turning point in Israel's history. By taking and residing in the seemingly impregnable Jebusite stronghold of Zion, David transformed it into the heart of his kingdom. This was more than a mere change of address; it was the establishment of Jerusalem as the political, administrative, and ultimately, spiritual capital of Israel. The act of David "dwelling" in the fortress signifies the firm establishment of his rule and the beginning of the Davidic dynasty rooted in a centralized location, distinct from any single tribal inheritance. The immediate renaming to "the city of David" signifies this transformation and enduring association. This naming cemented the city's identity as intrinsically linked to God's chosen king, carrying deep theological meaning for future generations, ultimately pointing to the everlasting covenant God made with David concerning his house and throne, foreshadowing the reign of the Messiah.