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Answer
The first mention in the Old Testament of Jerusalem as the “City of David” is found in 2 Samuel 5:7: “David captured the fortress of Zion—which is the City of David.” In this account, David had been made king of the entire nation of Israel, and he led his army to take the city of Jerusalem from the Jebusites (verse 6). Upon winning this city, David “took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David. He built up the area around it, from the terraces inward. And he became more and more powerful, because the Lord God Almighty was with him” (2 Samuel 5:9-10).
Though Jerusalem had already existed as a city, it became known as the City of David after David conquered it. During his reign in the city, David developed it into a much larger urban area. Later, the ark would be brought to Jerusalem, and David would make plans for a temple to be constructed under the direction of his son Solomon.
In the Old Testament, the phrase “City of David” is used of Jerusalem 45 times. In the New Testament, the phrase is found twice—although, in the New Testament, the phrase refers to Bethlehem, where David was born.
The practice of naming a city by the name of its leader was quite common in the ancient Mediterranean world. Heshbon was the city of Sihon, its king «For Heshbon was the city of Sihon the king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab, and taken all his land out of his hand, even unto Arnon. », (Numbers 21:26). First Samuel 15:5 refers to the city of Amalek. Some cities took their names from a founder (Alexandria), from a notable characteristic (Jericho, the City of Palm Trees), or from a local deity (Susa).
Jerusalem has been known as the City of David for more than 3,000 years.In the years, God has continued to preserve the memory of His servant David for many generations. There is a significant connection between King David and Jesus Christ, the Son of David «The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. », (Matthew 1:1). Both were born in Bethlehem and passed away in Jerusalem. They both rose from obscurity to become kings and were deeply devoted to God. Jesus, a descendant of David « I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. », (Revelation 22:16), hailed from the tribe of Judah, where David initially reigned.
Indeed, the City of David is where Jesus is destined to rule in the future. The concluding chapters of the Bible portray a New Jerusalem where God’s people will reign eternally, bestowing everlasting honor upon the earthly City of David.
