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2 Samuel 5:7

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Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same [is] the city of David.

Nevertheless David {H1732} took {H3920} the strong hold {H4686} of Zion {H6726}: the same is the city {H5892} of David {H1732}.

Nevertheless, David captured the stronghold of Tziyon, also known [now] as the City of David.

Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the City of David).

Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion; the same is the city of David.

Commentary

Context

This verse marks a pivotal moment in the reign of King David and the history of Israel. Having been anointed king over all Israel (after ruling over Judah from Hebron for seven and a half years, as noted in 2 Samuel 5:5), David's first major strategic move was to secure a neutral and central capital for his newly unified kingdom. The city of Jerusalem, then known as Jebus and occupied by the Jebusites, was strategically located on the border between Judah and Benjamin, making it an ideal choice. The Jebusites believed their stronghold to be impregnable, taunting David with their confidence (2 Samuel 5:6).

Key Themes

  • Conquest and Establishment of a Capital: The verse highlights David's decisive military action in capturing the fortified city of Zion, transforming it into the administrative and spiritual heart of Israel. This act solidified his kingship and provided a unified center for the twelve tribes.
  • Divine Enablement: While David's military prowess is evident, the broader biblical narrative suggests God's hand was guiding David to fulfill His purposes, including establishing a permanent dwelling place for His presence among His people.
  • The Significance of Zion/Jerusalem: The renaming of the stronghold as "the city of David" immediately imbues it with a profound personal and national identity. This act laid the foundation for Jerusalem's future role as the spiritual capital, the place where the Ark of the Covenant would reside (2 Samuel 6:12) and the Temple would eventually be built (1 Kings 6:1).

Linguistic Insights

  • "Strong hold of Zion": The Hebrew word for "strong hold" (מְצֻדָה, metzudah) denotes a fortress or citadel, emphasizing its defensive strength. Zion itself, originally the name of the Jebusite fortress, came to refer to the hill on which it stood, and eventually expanded to encompass the entire city of Jerusalem. Symbolically, "Zion" later became synonymous with Jerusalem, representing God's holy city and the spiritual home of His people.
  • "The city of David": This designation signifies David's personal conquest and establishment of the city as his royal seat. It wasn't just a captured city; it became *his* city, a testament to his reign and a place intrinsically linked to the Davidic covenant.

Strategic Significance & Application

The capture of Zion was not merely a military victory; it was a strategic masterstroke that secured David's kingdom. By choosing a city that belonged to neither Judah nor Benjamin, David provided a neutral ground that could serve as a unifying capital for all twelve tribes. Jerusalem's central location and formidable defenses made it an ideal choice for a long-term capital.

For believers today, David's bold and successful taking of Zion can be seen as an illustration of overcoming seemingly impossible obstacles through God's enablement. Just as David conquered a physical stronghold, Christians are called to engage in spiritual warfare, tearing down spiritual strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4). Furthermore, the enduring significance of Zion as the "City of David" points forward to the ultimate reign of David's greater Son, Jesus Christ, whose eternal kingdom will be established from the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:2), fulfilling the ancient prophecies concerning Zion.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 2:10 (4 votes)

    So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David.

  • 2 Samuel 6:12 (3 votes)

    ¶ And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house of Obededom, and all that [pertaineth] unto him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obededom into the city of David with gladness.

  • 2 Samuel 6:16 (3 votes)

    And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.

  • Isaiah 59:20 (2 votes)

    And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.

  • Micah 4:2 (2 votes)

    And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

  • 1 Kings 8:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto king Solomon in Jerusalem, that they might bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which [is] Zion.

  • Revelation 14:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty [and] four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.