This verse illustrates how David’s secure dwelling in Jerusalem set the stage for Israel’s future and anticipated the enduring reign of the Messiah.
In 2 Samuel 5:9, the passage reads: So David lived in the stronghold and called it the city of David. And David built all around from the Millo and inward. (v.9). David, who ruled Israel from about 1010 to 970 BC, had just conquered Jerusalem from the Jebusites, securing this stronghold for his new capital. The name “City of David” points to the distinct significance of this location, which was strategically chosen not only as a military fortress, but also as a unifying center for all the tribes of Israel. According to Scripture, he was able to acquire the former Jebusite city “without destruction” (2 Samuel 5:6-9), indicating David’s determination to establish a peaceful yet defensible capital for his reign.
After taking the city, David began significant construction efforts. The verse describes how he built “all around from the Millo and inward,” highlighting his efforts to fortify key structures and expand the city’s boundaries. The phrase “Millo” likely refers to a type of earthwork or terraces used to reinforce and level the terrain. By developing these fortifications, David established Jerusalem as a robust seat of government and worship. Later, his son Solomon would build the temple in this same city, further enshrining it as the religious heart of Israel. This locale would also become central to the lineage of the Messiah, since David stands in the direct genealogical line leading to Jesus (Matthew 1:1).
Spiritually, this passage and its emphasis on David’s secure foundation in Jerusalem foreshadow the lasting rule of Christ, known as the Son of David, who holds rightful claim to an everlasting kingdom (Luke 1:32-33). By calling the city “the City of David,” Scripture also highlights how God often chooses unexpected individuals and places to accomplish His sovereign plan. In the same way God established David’s throne, He would later establish the “throne of David” through Jesus, fulfilling the promise of a kingdom that will never end (2 Samuel 7:13).
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2 Samuel 5:9 meaning
In 2 Samuel 5:9, the passage reads: So David lived in the stronghold and called it the city of David. And David built all around from the Millo and inward. (v.9). David, who ruled Israel from about 1010 to 970 BC, had just conquered Jerusalem from the Jebusites, securing this stronghold for his new capital. The name “City of David” points to the distinct significance of this location, which was strategically chosen not only as a military fortress, but also as a unifying center for all the tribes of Israel. According to Scripture, he was able to acquire the former Jebusite city “without destruction” (2 Samuel 5:6-9), indicating David’s determination to establish a peaceful yet defensible capital for his reign.
After taking the city, David began significant construction efforts. The verse describes how he built “all around from the Millo and inward,” highlighting his efforts to fortify key structures and expand the city’s boundaries. The phrase “Millo” likely refers to a type of earthwork or terraces used to reinforce and level the terrain. By developing these fortifications, David established Jerusalem as a robust seat of government and worship. Later, his son Solomon would build the temple in this same city, further enshrining it as the religious heart of Israel. This locale would also become central to the lineage of the Messiah, since David stands in the direct genealogical line leading to Jesus (Matthew 1:1).
Spiritually, this passage and its emphasis on David’s secure foundation in Jerusalem foreshadow the lasting rule of Christ, known as the Son of David, who holds rightful claim to an everlasting kingdom (Luke 1:32-33). By calling the city “the City of David,” Scripture also highlights how God often chooses unexpected individuals and places to accomplish His sovereign plan. In the same way God established David’s throne, He would later establish the “throne of David” through Jesus, fulfilling the promise of a kingdom that will never end (2 Samuel 7:13).