2 Samuel 5 7

2 Samuel 5:7 kjv

Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David.

2 Samuel 5:7 nkjv

Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion (that is, the City of David).

2 Samuel 5:7 niv

Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion?which is the City of David.

2 Samuel 5:7 esv

Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David.

2 Samuel 5:7 nlt

But David captured the fortress of Zion, which is now called the City of David.

2 Samuel 5 verses

2 Samuel 5 7 Meaning

David, having been anointed king over all Israel, successfully conquered the formidable Jebusite fortress of Zion. This act established the captured city as the new capital of the unified kingdom and it was thereafter designated as "the City of David," marking a profound turning point in Israel's history.

2 Samuel 5 7 Context

Following Saul's death and a civil war with Ish-bosheth, David was anointed king over Judah in Hebron (2 Sam 2:4). Seven and a half years later, all the tribes of Israel came to Hebron and made a covenant with David, anointing him king over all Israel (2 Sam 5:1-3). The unified kingdom required a central, neutral capital that was not associated with any specific tribe. Jerusalem, then a Jebusite stronghold (known as Jebus), strategically located on the border between Judah and Benjamin, was an ideal choice. The Jebusites, confident in their city's natural defenses, famously taunted David (2 Sam 5:6), believing even the blind and lame could defend it. David's capture of this seemingly impregnable fortress immediately after becoming king of all Israel underscores his divinely appointed leadership and strength, setting the stage for Jerusalem's future as the spiritual and political heart of the nation.

2 Samuel 5 7 Word analysis

• Nevertheless (אֲבָל - aval): This conjunctive adverb signifies contrast or a strong affirmation despite a previous obstacle. It highlights David's success where others had failed (cf. Josh 15:63, Judg 1:21) and in the face of the Jebusites' confidence in their stronghold. It indicates a turning point against previous inaction or perceived impossibility.

• David (דָּוִד - David): Refers to the anointed king of Israel (1 Sam 16:13), the one chosen by God (1 Sam 13:14), now recognized as monarch over all twelve tribes. His actions here establish him as a divinely empowered leader fulfilling God's plan.

• took (וַיִּלְכֹּד - vayyilkod): Hebrew for "he captured," "he seized," "he conquered." This denotes an act of forceful military acquisition, not peaceful assimilation. It emphasizes the strategic importance and the strength required for the conquest.

• the stronghold (מְצֻדַת - metzudat): Meaning "fortress," "citadel," "stronghold." It stresses the heavily fortified and naturally defensible nature of the Jebusite city, which they considered impenetrable. This capture demonstrated David's military prowess and God's enabling hand.

• of Zion (צִיּוֹן - Tziyyon): Initially referred to the specific eastern hill (Ophel) where the Jebusite fortress was located. Over time, "Zion" expanded in meaning to encompass the entire city of Jerusalem, then later the Temple Mount, and finally gained a theological significance as the dwelling place of God (Ps 9:11, Ps 132:13), the place of redemption (Isa 60:14), and metaphorically representing God's people or the heavenly city (Heb 12:22).

• the same is: A clarifying phrase, directly linking the "stronghold of Zion" with the "City of David." This establishes its new identity and enduring historical importance.

• the city of David (עִיר דָּוִד - Ir David): The new name given to the captured fortress/city. This name signifies not just geographical identification, but also possession, rule, and the establishment of David's dynasty. It became the administrative, political, and eventually spiritual capital of Israel, deeply intertwined with the Davidic covenant.

• Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion: This phrase marks a pivotal moment of achievement against historical precedent. David’s military and strategic genius, empowered by God, overcomes what was previously thought to be unconquerable, transforming a foreign stronghold into the heart of the Israelite kingdom.

• the same is the city of David: This confirms the identity and renaming. It underscores David’s ownership and central role in establishing Jerusalem as the unified capital. This renaming was a declarative act, embedding his legacy into the very name of the city that would become central to God’s plan.

2 Samuel 5 7 Bonus section

The conquest of Jerusalem under David laid the essential groundwork for the centralized worship of Yahweh. Until this point, the Ark of the Covenant (representing God's presence) had no permanent home, often residing in temporary places. David’s vision was to bring the Ark to his new capital, transforming the political center into a religious hub, an idea later realized more fully by Solomon with the construction of the Temple. Furthermore, this specific historical event, where a formidable obstacle is overcome to establish the Lord's chosen place, typologically points to the eventual reign of the greater Son of David, Jesus Christ. Just as David conquered Zion to establish his reign, Christ triumphs over sin and death to establish His spiritual kingdom and eventually, the New Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 5 7 Commentary

2 Samuel 5:7 records the pivotal event where David establishes Jerusalem as the capital of a united Israel. By capturing the heavily fortified Jebusite stronghold of Zion, David achieved what previous generations and tribes had failed to do, signaling a new era of Israelite strength under his divinely appointed kingship. This conquest was not merely a military victory; it was strategically brilliant, providing a neutral capital centrally located between Judah and the northern tribes. Naming it "the City of David" indelibly linked the city to his dynasty and God's covenant with him. This act fundamentally transformed Jerusalem from an insignificant Jebusite outpost into the future spiritual and political heart of Israel, preparing the way for the Ark of the Covenant, the Temple, and eventually becoming synonymous with the prophetic and Messianic hope centered on a king from David's line. It symbolizes God’s faithfulness in establishing a dwelling for His people and for His name, rooted in the leadership of His chosen king.