Jerusalem

2 Samuel 5

            The conquest of Jerusalem was a godsend for David. In Judges we read that both Benjamin and Judah had warred against it, but the city was never under either of their control. It was situated on a hill, and its walls made it a formidable defensive position. (That’s why David had to conquer it via its water supply.) So, here was a stronghold, located right between Judah and Benjamin, a neutral site—a perfect place for the capital, a place from which David could defend and unite the kingdom.

            Additionally, Jerusalem seems to have had ancient spiritual connections, too. Abraham met Melchizedek there and made offerings to the Lord with him (Genesis 14), so there was some connection to the worship of God. Later (Genesis 21), Abraham went to Mt. Moriah to sacrifice is his son, Isaac. There is a tradition that Mt. Moriah was one of the hills which Jerusalem encompassed (1 Chronicles 3:1).

            Altogether, then, politically, strategically, and spiritually, Jerusalem was the ideal place from which a king could rule.