History · 4 · David
David's first capital wasn't Jerusalem
An older account in Samuel has David rule Judah from Hebron, in the heart of his territory. Jerusalem sat on Judah's northern edge and may not have become the capital until centuries later.
Even sacred capitals have a backstory.
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David is remembered for capturing Jerusalem, and that legend may reflect a real achievement. But the move of the capital from Hebron is hard to date, and it may not have happened until the last years of the northern kingdom, in the late eighth century BCE.
Bible reference: 2 Samuel 5
Source: Why the Bible Began, pp. 58–59
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