David, City of

The name given to two biblical cities...

1. David took from the Jebusites the fortress of Mount Zion. He "dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David" (1 Chr. 11:7). This was the name afterwards given to the castle and royal palace on Mount Zion, as distinguished from Jerusalem generally (1 Kings 3:1; 8:1), It was on the southwest side of Jerusalem, opposite the temple mount, with which it was connected by a bridge over the Tyropoeon valley.

2. Bethlehem is called the "city of David" (Luke 2:4, 11), because it was David's birthplace and early home (1 Sam. 17:12).