Dn.vid, Jeritsalem (" foundntion of pence "), beyond any other city mentioned i □ sacred history, poetry, or prophecy, "Jerusalem was destined to become the Aeat of the Hebrew government, and the scene of the most extraordinary events, and more stranae and awful vicissitude&, than any other city of the universe, not excepting Rome"'" (Milman). Note- I. lTs PEOULIAB SITUATION, In the heart of the country, remote from the great roads of co=unicn.Uon with the East; on a mountainous table-land, and entrenched on a cluster of hills, the highest of which was crowned with the stronghold rock- fortrees, or acropolis of Zion (ver. 7); on the border-line between Benjamin and Judah, belonging equally to both parts of the now united kingdom. Its selection was a striking proof of Davicl's military ability and political insight, and was probably determined by a higher wisdom (Deut. xii. 5; 2 Chron. vi. 6). "God intended nvt Jerusalem for a staple of trade, but for a royal exchange of religion, chiefly ho\dino- correspondency with heaven itself, daily receiving blessings thence, duly returning praises thither; besides, God would not have his virgin people the Jews wooed with much less wedded to, outlandish fashions" (Thos. Fuller). ' II. ITS PREVIOUS HISTORY, As the city of Melchizedek (Gen. xiv. 18; Ps. lxxvii. 2; Josephus, 'Wars,' vi. 10), traditions of whose ancient greatness may have lingered around the spot, and fired the poet's imagination (Ps. ex. 4); of Adonizedec the Amorite (Josh. x. 1), a man of different character, like Adonibezek (Judg. i. 7); smitten by Judah, occupied by Benjamiu conjointly with the Jebusites (not, perhaps, driven out of their citadel), and afterwards entirely by the latter (Josh. xv. 63; Judg. i. 8, 21; iii. 5-7; xix. 10-12). "Joshua, and Deborah, and Samuel, and Saul, and David must have passed and repassed the hills, and gazed on the tower of the city, unconscious of the fate reserved for her in all subsequent time" (Stanley, 'Sinai and Palestine'). . III. ITS HEROIC CONQUEST, David found little resistance in taking the lower city, in contrast with the upper city or citadel (Josephus), the defenders of which, relying on the strength of their position, said, derisively, that "blind and lame " were sufficient to repel his attack. But: 1. Self-confidence is fraught with danger. (1 Sam. xiv. 22.) " The enemie_s of God's people are often very confident of their own strength, and most secure when their day to fall draws nigh" (Matthew Henry). 2. Scorn is a spur to a resolute spirit. "And David said on that day- "" Whoso smiteth a Jebusite (first), Let him hurl down the precipice (watercourse) Both the lame and blind, Who are hateful to David's sonl."'
And ., he shall be chief and captain" (1 Chron. xi. 6). 3. Great inducements 'JYT"OCUl1'8 great achievements. 4. The prize is sometimes won by those for whom it is least intended. "So Joab the son of Zeruiah went first up, and was chief," his power, of which David bitterly complained (eh. iii. 39), being thereby confirmed. 6. 1'he language of con- tempt comes back on those who employ it, to their lasting humiliation. It became a proverb: "The blind and lame [ironically applied to the over-confident] shall not come into the house [succeed in anything]." 6. Severity should be joined, with ml!T'cy. Although a hard fate befell some, yet most of the Jebusite inhabitants were incorporated into Israel (Zech. ix. 7), and one of them (eh. x.xiv. 18) dwelt peacefully on an adjacent hill (2 Chron. iii. 1). 7. One victory is often followed "by many. The capture of a fortress by national and world-wide consequences. IV. lTs PERMANENT OCCUPATION, STRENGTHENING, AND EXTENSION. "And David dwelt in the stronghold [of Zion], and called it the city of David" (see Conder, 'Handbook,' p. 337). "And David built round about from Millo [' the citadel,' LXX.] and inward" (ver.. 9). "And J oab restored the rest of the city" (1 Chron. xi. 9). "'l'he erection of the new capital at JeruBBlem introduces us to a new era, not only in the inward hopes of the prophet-king, but in the external history of the monarchy" (Stanley, 'Jewish Church;' Ewald). V. lTs THEOCRATIC RELATION, WHIOH WAS ITS OHIEF DISTINCTION. As the metropolis of the cl)osen people, the residence of the Lord's Anointed (Messiah), the seat llf govern- 132 THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL, [CR, V. 1-21'1,