And David and all Israel went to Jerusalem, which is Jebus; where the Jebusites were, the inhabitants of the land.
David has just been anointed king over all Israel, and his first move is against a city still in enemy hands. Why this one stronghold, and why does the verse also call it by the enemy name Jebus?
The city carries two names in this verse, and each has a story:
Zion is closely linked with David's anointing as king over all Israel. Jerusalem is now to become the capital of the great kingdom. The oldest name was Salem; the Jebusites gave it the name Jebus (Judges 19:10). After David conquered it, the old name came back and it became known as Jerusalem ("habitation of peace"). The town had been captured earlier (Judges 1:8), but the stronghold of the upper city, Mount Zion, remained in the hands of the Jebusites. David took the stronghold. Jebusite means "the one who treads down." It reminds us of the words of our Lord, "Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled" (Luke 21:24). [Older translations read "trodden down," which matches the meaning of "Jebusite."]
Israel's earlier conquests had left this one fortress standing. David felt what that meant for God's honour:
Joshua won his conquests, and more was won after him. Yet in the very middle of the land, in the centre of Jerusalem itself, this stronghold still stood, held by the Jebusites. The time had come for a great change. The kingdom could not be according to God unless Zion was taken for the king from the enemy who had so boldly defied His people. David felt this with full force. He felt keenly the dishonour done to God, because the very heart and fortress of the kingdom belonged to a cursed race of Canaan.
Nothing in the place itself explains the choice:
What reason did God have to interest Himself in this place more than in another? There was no reason whatsoever except that He loved this city which had been under the power of the Jebusites, the enemies of Jehovah and of His anointed. His heart was set on this place, for this is where He wanted to establish the throne of His grace on earth once and for all. "For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place: 'This is My resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it'" (Ps. 132:13-14).
The order matters. First the anointing, then the city:
As the anointed king, his first great act was to take Jerusalem out of the hand of the Jebusites. It was to be the city of the great king. It was the appointed centre on earth to display His kingdom and the glory of the throne of Israel.
The same campaign appears in 2 Samuel 5, but told differently:
Verses 4-9 describe the capture of Jerusalem. Here again we find a noteworthy difference from the account in 2 Samuel 5:6-9. Here there is not a word about "the lame and the blind hated of David's soul…!" And Joab, whom Samuel leaves out of the account, here takes first place after David… Here he is not the ambitious, vengeful man. He is the man destined, according to God's counsels, to conquer the fortress of Zion for the king… If we had read only the account of Chronicles, would we not say that Joab was an upright man beyond reproach? The truth is that here Joab is only the instrument prepared to install the Lord's anointed at Jerusalem — the king according to God's thoughts.
Zion's names tell its story, from conquest to what is still to come:
Zion is the place which, as we see from another psalm (Ps. 78:68), shows God's sovereignty in grace, after man has done all he could to bring utter ruin. Zion itself means "fixed." The first place that mentions it (2 Sam. 5:7) is where David takes it out of the hand of the Gentile "treader down" — the Jebusite. It becomes then "the city of David," which, we are glad to remember, means "Beloved." And it will yet be the city of the One of infinite glory, when the time of Jerusalem's "treading-down" is over.
- Chosen — God fixed on this city for no reason found in the city: "there was no reason whatsoever except that He loved this city."
- Occupied — What God loved, the enemy held. The Jebusite, "the one who treads down," sat in "the very middle of the land."
- Taken — The kingdom "could not be according to God unless Zion was taken for the king." The anointing over all Israel demanded the conquest at Jerusalem.
- Renamed — Jebus gives way to Jerusalem, "habitation of peace," and the stronghold becomes the city of David — the city of "Beloved."
- Awaited — Zion means "fixed," and it "will yet be the city of the One of infinite glory, when the time of Jerusalem's treading-down is over."
And the inhabitants of Jebus said to David, Thou shalt not come in hither. But David took the stronghold of Zion, which is the city of David.
Commentary for this verse has not been generated yet.
And David said, Whoever smites the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain. And Joab the son of Zeruiah went first up, and was chief.
When David became king over all Israel, the Jebusites still held Jerusalem. He promises the army's top command to whoever attacks them first — and the man who wins it is one David had already branded a wicked man.
This was not just another walled town. Whether David's kingdom could be what God intended hung on it.
When David and his men came to Jerusalem, the stronghold of Zion was still in enemy hands, as it had been all along. Joshua made his conquests, and others achieved more afterwards. Yet in the very middle of the land, in the centre of Jerusalem itself, this stronghold still stood, held by the Jebusites. The time had come to mark a most important change. The kingdom could not be according to God unless Zion was taken back for the king from the enemy who had so boldly defied His people. David felt this in all its force.
Taking that position lifted Joab above every other soldier. The place itself still has a future.
The Jebusites held the key position in the land. The fortress of Zion was in their hands. Joab took it from them; and, according to the word of David, this secured for him the chief place among the mighty men. This capture mattered greatly, because Zion is the chosen centre of government on earth. In a future day, which will outshine the brightest days of the past, "out of Zion shall go forth the law," and then men shall "learn war no more." Strangely, it was the stronghold of the "treaders down", for that is the meaning of the name Jebusites.
The chapter goes on to list David's finest soldiers. Not one of them takes the prize — and one writer finds the reason in Joab's motives.
It is remarkable that Joab steps forward. Not Abishai, not any one of those most honourable three, not Eleazar or Jashobeam, or any of the others. None of them, but Joab. Joab was not among them. The truth is that Joab was an ambitious man. He did not care to expose himself more than was necessary; but when there was anything to be gained, Joab was the man… So Joab goes forward and takes the stronghold, and becomes chief. So it will always be until the true David comes. There will be no Joabs then.
One writer lists what David already knew about Joab before he made that offer.
We have seen Joab's craftiness from the very beginning. David knew his wickedness. He had branded him with the name "wicked man" before all the people. He had called down God's judgment on his head, and had declared him to be "too hard for me". This is the Joab whom David's word gave the opportunity to become general in chief.
The same writer turns this into a warning for us.
One word, not given by the Holy Spirit, stirred up rivalry in the flesh — and these were the consequences it brought. How easily man abuses the power which God has entrusted to him, using it in an independent way! This fact should make us reflect. A word spoken in the flesh often bears more dangerous fruit than an evil act does.
Commentators differ on how to read Joab here, and the reason lies in the text itself.
The account in Samuel leaves Joab out altogether. Here he occupies the first place after David… He is not the ambitious, vindictive man here. He is the man destined, according to God's counsels, to conquer the fortress of Zion for the king… His struggle with Abner, his revenge on that noble captain, the murder he committed — Chronicles passes over them all in silence. Would we not say, if we had only read the account of Chronicles, that Joab was an upright man beyond reproach? The truth is that here Joab is simply the instrument prepared to install the Lord's anointed, the king according to God's thoughts, at Jerusalem.
Being first up the wall made Joab great as a soldier. It did not make him like his king.
Zeal, ability, diligence, devotion to David's interests and quick perception marked him in abundance. But he never learned anything of David's grace… Anyone who stood in the way of what he thought David's honour needed had to go under at all costs. The greater conquests he did not understand… He was a stranger to moral triumphs over self. So he set himself against David's victories through forgiveness, reconciliation and grace.
- First — the fortress had to fall before the kingdom could stand as God meant it to. The enemy holding Zion had boldly defied God's people.
- First up — Joab climbed while the honoured mighty men stood still. One writer sees the mark of a man who moved when there was something to gain.
- First place — the promise made him commander. Chronicles records only the deed, and shows him as the instrument prepared to seat God's anointed in Jerusalem.
- First word — David spoke his offer in the flesh, and one unguarded word can bear worse fruit than a wrong act.
- Last — Joab gained the top post but never gained his king's grace. Zeal won him the post; it never taught him his king's grace.
And David dwelt in the stronghold; therefore they called it the city of David.
David has just become king over all Israel, and his first act is to take the fortress of the Jebusites, the one place that had beaten every effort of Israel until that day. He does not just hold it as a prize. He moves in, and the place takes his name. Why did God attach so much weight to this one place?
Scripture gives this move only a line. One commentator notes how quietly the record tells it.
Though the Spirit names it so briefly, from then on it becomes a turning point in the history of Israel. I know nothing more striking in Scripture, or more characteristic of it, than a fact like this, small as some may count it. See how quietly the Holy Spirit records the full force of the blow struck in the heart of the land. That stronghold had challenged and defeated every effort of Israel until that day.
The same writer explains what the new name carries.
Zion, in short, becomes a new name of the deepest importance — the sign of divine grace in royalty. It is the grace that took up the people in their lowest condition. Through the man God used, that grace raised them step by step to a place of power and blessing and glory such as was never seen before. It can never be seen again until Jesus comes and makes this very Zion the centre of His earthly government, with the blessing and glory due to His name.
David did not pick this spot himself. God had already chosen it.
This spot, chosen by the Lord, becomes the city of David and the seat of royal power.
Another writer says what the city was meant to be.
As the anointed king, his first great act was to win Jerusalem out of the hand of the Jebusites. It was to be the city of the great king. It was the appointed centre on earth where His kingdom and the glory of the throne of Israel would be shown.
Joab is the man who took the fortress for the king. Commentators read his part here in different ways. One notes how much Chronicles leaves out about him.
Here he is not the ambitious, revengeful man. He is the man appointed, according to God's purposes, to conquer the fortress of Zion for the king… His fight with Abner, his revenge on that noble captain, the murder he committed — all are passed over in silence… If we had only read the account in Chronicles, would we not say that Joab was an upright man with nothing against him? The truth is that here Joab is simply the instrument prepared to set the Lord's anointed in Jerusalem — the king according to God's thoughts.
Another writer weighs what drove him.
It is striking that Joab steps forward — not Abishai, not one of those three most honoured men… The truth is that Joab was an ambitious man. He did not like to risk himself more than he had to. But when there was something to be gained, Joab was the man. He was ready for action then, not to suffer but to gain… So it will always be till the true David comes. There will be no Joabs then.
Inside the city, David kept building.
David then lived in Jerusalem, called "the stronghold" and "the city of David," and he built up the city, clearly to strengthen its defences. "The Millo" is mentioned here, which was clearly a citadel or tower of great importance in the city. From this time David's greatness increased. This is only a faint picture of the kingdom of the Lord Jesus, of whom we read, "Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end."
The city of David points beyond itself.
Jebus, the fortress of the Jebusites, is taken and made into the city of David. There David reigns in power, growing greater and greater, and this shows that the Lord of hosts was with him. The mighty men who had shared his rejection now share his power, and the glory that goes with it. It is a picture of the true David, God's "Beloved," who is yet to be shown in authority over all the earth. Those who hold to Him now, while He is treated as nothing, will have their part with Him when He takes His great power and reigns.
- Chosen — Zion was not David's pick but God's: the spot chosen by the Lord becomes the seat of royal power.
- Captured — the fortress that had beaten every effort of Israel falls, and Scripture records the blow quietly.
- Claimed — David moves in, and his dwelling gives the place its name; the city of David is the sign of grace in royalty.
- Consolidated — he builds up the city and grows greater, because the Lord of hosts was with him.
- Coming — the men who shared his rejection now share his power. So will all who hold to the true David before He reigns.
And he built the city round about, even from the Millo round about; and Joab renewed the rest of the city.
David has just taken the fortress that had held out against Israel for generations. Now he builds it up from the Millo, and Scripture pauses to name Joab as the man who repaired the rest.
The taking of this hill was a turning point, and the Bible reports it almost in passing.
David settled in the fortress and called it the city of David. Though the Spirit names this so briefly, from then on it becomes a turning point in the history of Israel. I do not know anything more striking in Scripture than such a fact as this, slight as some may count it. The Holy Spirit notices so quietly how complete the blow was. It was struck at the heart of the land, at the place that had been a constant challenge and triumph over every effort of Israel until that day. Now that David had wrested it from the Jebusites, this becomes the great fact that stamps its character on Israel afterwards. Zion, in short, becomes a new name of the deepest importance — the sign of divine grace in royalty.
Two names attach to this place, and both point beyond David.
Zion itself means "fixed," and the first place it is mentioned (2 Samuel 5:7) is when David takes it out of the hand of the Gentile "treader down" — the Jebusite. It becomes then "the city of David," which, we rejoice to remember, means "Beloved," and it will yet be the city of the infinitely glorious One.
The verse starts the building work at the Millo, a site later kings worked on too.
A part of ancient Jerusalem, though later said to be "built" by Solomon; it was repaired by Hezekiah. The name always has the article, "the Millo." Various sites have been suggested for it, but its location and its form are unknown.
David built to defend, not to impress.
David then lived in Jerusalem, called "the stronghold" and "the city of David," and built up the city, clearly to strengthen its defences. "The Millo" is mentioned here, which was evidently a citadel or tower in the city and of real importance. From this time David's greatness increased — only a faint picture of the kingdom of the Lord Jesus, of whom we read "Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end" (Isaiah 9:7).
Chronicles hands Joab the second half of the work and says nothing about the man himself. That silence is deliberate.
Here he is not the ambitious, vengeful man, but the man appointed, according to God's counsels, to conquer the fortress of Zion for the king. It is even said of him in verse 8: "Joab repaired the rest of the city." Not a word about his character, nor about his actions up to this moment. His struggle with Abner, his revenge on this noble captain, the murder he committed — Chronicles passes over them all in silence… If we had read only the account in Chronicles, would we not say that Joab was an upright man beyond reproach? The truth is that here Joab is simply the instrument prepared to install the Lord's anointed at Jerusalem.
One writer weighs what drove Joab to the task.
Joab was an ambitious man. He did not care to expose himself more than was necessary; but when there was something to gain, Joab was the man. He was ready for action then, not to suffer but to gain… So it will always be until the true David comes. There will be no Joabs then. His people shall all be righteous; but until then every type has its failure.
The meaning of this city does not stop with David.
Zion, as the place where David pitched a tent for the ark and had his throne and ruled over God's chosen people — a picture of delivering grace established in power and blessing in Christ. Zion will yet be the seat of Messiah's power on earth in millennial blessing.
- Taken — the hill had defied Israel for generations. David wrested it from the Jebusites, and Scripture reports that crushing blow quietly.
- Named — the fortress became "the city of David": Zion means "fixed," and David's name means "Beloved."
- Built — David built out from the Millo to strengthen the city's defences. From that point his greatness grew.
- Repaired — Joab finished the rest. Chronicles names none of his crimes and shows him only as the tool God used.
- Awaited — every such picture falls short. Zion's real future is as the seat of Messiah's power on earth.
And David became continually greater; and Jehovah of hosts was with him.
David takes the Jebusite stronghold, settles in it, and rebuilds the city. Chronicles gives one reason for his rise, and it is not his skill or his army: God was with him.
The account in Chronicles moves fast. It leaves out the years when David's position was still contested.
The end of the old man is the beginning of a new era. Without any preamble at all, David's reign begins at Hebron. Chronicles passes over in silence all that comes before Hebron. It says nothing of the gradual way David's reign was established. It says nothing of the long war between his house and the house of Saul, where one side grew stronger and the other weaker. At the very outset the Spirit of God announces the final establishment of David's reign.
The greatness in this verse follows a conquest, and the fortress taken was no ordinary prize.
The Jebusites held the key position in the land. The fortress of Zion was in their hands. Joab took it from them, and by David's own word this won him the chief place among the mighty men. This capture mattered greatly, because Zion is the chosen centre of government on earth. In a coming day, brighter than any in the past, "out of Zion shall go the law," and "neither shall they learn war anymore." Strangely, it was the stronghold of the "treaders down," for that is what the name Jebusite means.
Writers differ over the man who went up first and became chief. One weighs Joab's motive and finds a crack in the picture.
Joab was an ambitious man. He did not care to expose himself more than he had to; but when there was something to be gained, Joab was the man. He was ready for action then — not to suffer, but to gain. So it will always be until the true David comes. There will be no Joabs then. His people shall all be righteous; but until then every type has its failure.
Another writer gives Joab a different place in the same events.
Here he is not the ambitious, vindictive man, but the man appointed, according to God's counsels, to conquer the fortress of Zion for the king. Here Joab is simply the instrument prepared to seat the Lord's anointed at Jerusalem. That is the king according to God's thoughts.
The chapter goes on to list warriors whose deeds sound impossible. One cause explains their strength and the king's increase alike.
God's chosen man was there, the one anointed to be king over Israel, and the kingdom was turned over to him. This is the reason for their sudden gift of valour and might. It is also the reason for some of the astonishing deeds of the famous men whom the Holy Spirit names. Yet they are not astonishing when we remember Whose kingdom is really before us. These great acts are only the natural result of the presence of His power. He is giving samples, so to speak, of what the power and the glory will be when He takes the kingdom Himself.
Even at its height, David's growing rule only sketches something far larger.
From this time David's greatness increased. It is only a faint picture of the kingdom of the Lord Jesus, of whom we read, "Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end" (Isa. 9:7).
Greatness carries its own danger. When the Philistines came against the new king, David did not reason from his past victories.
David did not say, "Now I have an army; if I conquered the Philistines in the days of my weakness, how much more now that I am in power!" Not so. He asked the LORD. It takes more faith to depend on God in the day of prosperity than in the day of adversity. That is where we are often tested. Souls that stand well under trial often fall hard after the Lord has blessed them greatly. This does not prove the blessing was not from God; it does prove that we may fail to walk in dependence on God.
- Purpose — Chronicles skips the years of struggle. From the very start the Spirit of God announces David's reign as established.
- Stronghold — The greatness comes after Zion falls. The fortress of the "treaders down" becomes the chosen centre of government on earth.
- Instruments — Joab went up first and became chief. Writers differ: one sees a flaw in the picture, another sees only a tool prepared to seat God's anointed.
- Presence — One cause explains both the valour of the mighty men and the rise of the king: God's power with His chosen man. Their deeds are samples of a coming kingdom whose increase will never end.
- Dependence — The greatness God gives is the sharpest test of faith. Prosperity, not hardship, is where men stop asking Him.