Background Information Old Testament New Testament New Testament (cont.) Gentile Period (cont.)
1-Biblical Jerusalem 16-Salem, Jebus 33-Ashlar Stones 51-Bethesda Pool 68-Saint Anne's Church
2-History of Jerusalem 17-Milo, Jebusite Wall 34-Temple Mount 52-Holy Sepulcher 69-Sultan's Pool
3a-Map of Today's City 18-Gihon Springs 35-NE of End of Wall 53-Garden Tomb 70-Citadel
3b-The Four Quarters 19-City of David 36-SE End of Wall 54-Fort Antonia 71-Colonnade Column
3c-Photos 20-David's Palace 37-Western Wall 55-Phasael Tower  
3d-Silwan 21-Temple Mount 38-West Wall Tunnel 56-Struthion Pool  
4-The Walls Today 22-Solomon's Walls 39-Mikvah, Ritual Baths 57-Gethsemane  
5-The Gates Today 23-Solomon's Quarries 40-The Large Mikvah 58-Tombs in Hinnom Miscellaneous
6-Archaeology Periods 24-Broad Wall 41-Wilson's Arch 59-Jerusalem Tombs Archaeological Finds
7-Archaeology History 25-Hezekiah's Tunnel 42-Warren's Gate Gentile Period Jason's Tomb
8-Old Ancient Core 26-Middle Gate 43-Barclay's Gate 60-Ecce Homo Lazarus' Tomb
9-Kidron Valley 27-Nehemiah's Wall 44-Robinson's Arch 61-Roman Inscription Tomb of David
10-Central Valley Hasmonean 45-Western Wall Street 62-Cardo Maximus Via Dolorosa
11-Hinnom Valley 28-Walls and Towers 46-Western Wall Shops 63-Roman Road Bazaars
12-Mount of Olives 29-Aqueduct 47-South Temple Wall 64-Nea Church Hezekiah's Pool
13-Mount Moriah 30-Acra 48-Archaeology Park 65-Al Aqsa Mosque Lachish and Assyria
14-Western Hill Mt Zion 31-Temple Mount 49-Siloam Road 66-Dome of the Rock .Ancient Artifacts, Period Pieces
15-Ophel 32-Tombs in Kidron 50-Siloam Pool 67-Temple Mount  
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20- David's Palace

Eilat Mazar has been excavating on the site of King David’s palace since 2005. She has uncovered a large building that sat above the Jebusite wall (the Stepped
Stone retaining wall). The Jebusite wall was built between 1200 and 1000 BC, and the large building, known as the Large Stone Structure, was built just after
1000 BC during the reign of David. Mazar identified this Large Stone Structure as the royal “House of Cedar” which was King David’s palace as described in 2
Samuel 5:11:

Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs and carpenters and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David.
– 2 Samuel 5:11-12


Inside the Large Stone Structure that sits on top of the Stepped Stone Structure. This Large Stone Structure has been identified as the palace of David. The pottery uncovered here indicates it was not built until the time of David, around 1000 BC.

It is worth noting that David’s palace was new construction in his day. The Jebusites’ former fortress that he had taken was left standing. David moved into
that Jebusite fortress after his conquest of Jerusalem and lived there until his palace was built:

David then took up residence in the fortress. - 2 Samuel 5:9

This Jebusite fortress would have sat to the south of the new palace, guarding the northern wall of the old Jebusite city. This means David’s palace would have
originally been built outside the walls of the city on the north. David’s palace was beautiful and luxurious, but when the Philistines invaded the land to assassinate him he returned to the protection of the old fortress within the walls of the city:

When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and
went down to the stronghold
. - 2 Samuel 5:17

The “stronghold” could also be interpreted as one of the wilderness hideouts in the land of Judah that David had used during his years fleeing from Saul.
If that is the case, it is most likely Masada. But, then the questions could be asked, “Why would David flee the strong fortifications of Jerusalem?” and “Why would David abandon his city and his people?” But, if “stronghold” refers to the fortress of the Jebusites, we have confirmation as to the location and identification
of the fortress, and the palace, which was located higher up on the Eastern Hill in the Ophel.


Standing inside David's palace looking at the excavated walls.


Inside David’s palace, also known as the Large Stone Structure, on the top of the Stepped Stone Structure.


Looking along a wall of David’s palace toward the east.

Underneath the Large Stone Structure are remains most likely left from the events described in Judges 1:8, which were also the subject of some of the
Amarna Letters sent to Egypt asking for help.

The men of Judah attacked Jerusalem also and took it. They put the city to the sword and set it on fire. - Judges 1:8


Looking at the wall at the top of the Stepped Stone Structure from David's palace.


Looking from David's Palace into the Kidron Valley.

 


A view from David's Palace of the Millo, or the Stepped Stone Structure, that supported part of the fortress and David's Palace known as the Large Stone Structure.

 


This is a view from David’s palace looking down into the Kidron Valley. The Mount of Olives and its three summits can be seen to the right running along the
Kidron Valley. The southeast corner of the Temple Mount can be seen on the left edge of the photo.
 

David's Palace is located in the bottom right of this map in the City of David.
 

 

"Jerusalem: History, Archaeology and Apologetic Proof of Scripture - Revised Edition" 2022, Galyn Wiemers

 

UPDATED! 2022 - JERUSALEM: HISTORY, ARCHAEOLOGY AND APOLOGETIC PROOF OF SCRIPTURE - Revised Edition (2022)

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Jerusalem - 2010

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