David, City of

The City of David referred specifically to the ancient Jebusite fortress of Zion on the southeastern ridge of Jerusalem, which David captured from the Jebusites and made his royal seat (2 Samuel 5:7; 1 Chronicles 11:7). He built up the city around it and brought the ark of the covenant there (2 Samuel 6:12). The name is distinct from Jerusalem as a whole, designating the original Davidic stronghold on the southern hill, southwest of the later temple mount. It served as the royal burial ground for most of Judah's kings (1 Kings 2:10; 11:43). In the New Testament, Bethlehem is called the City of David (Luke 2:4, 11), linking the site of Jesus's birth to the Davidic covenant and Micah's prophecy (Micah 5:2).