3000 Years of Jerusalem History

Once Jerusalem was a small, isolated, mountain city that was under Egyptian control. Then the Jebusites took over the city and called it Jebus. The Jebusites were a quiet, independent people that did not mix with other people living in Canaan, including the Israelites that controlled much of the land around the city of Jebus. Jebus, inhabited by a couple of thousand people, was well protected by deep valleys on three sides, a fortress on the fourth side, and a strong wall all around. Thus, the Jebusites were greatly surprised when a small force of Israelite soldiers, led by David, entered the city through underground water tunnels and conquered it.

Immense change took place in Jerusalem during the 400 years following David's conquest of the city. Soon after the conquest, David brought the Ark of the Covenant, which held the Tablets of the Law, from the village of Kiryat Ye'arim to Jerusalem. David made the city the Israelite's national capital. Thus, David made the city both a religious and political center of his kingdom.

Massive construction followed. Most notably, Solomon built the Temple. After Solomon's death, the northern Israelite tribes wanted to set up their own state. While Jerusalem then became the capital of a smaller nation, it still continued to grow. A regular procession of kings - some good and some bad - reigned over the city. The city's population grew to approximately 30,000 people. When the Assyrians threatened the city, fortifications and water systems were added. However, none of this helped once the Babylonians arrived. The Babylonians destroyed the city and the first Temple.

Information from The Sources of Jerusalem, Chaim Feder and Laura Janner-Klausner, Education Matters Ltd., Jerusalem.

Next page > [Second Temple Period] > Page Intro, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

~ Lisa Katz

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