After the death of Joshua, the tribes of Juda and Simeon, having
united their forces, marched upon this already important place with a
formidable army. They took the lower city, and, faithful to the orders
of Moses, slaughtered all who presented themselves to their fury.
The upper city, called Sion, checked their victorious progress. The
efforts of the Hebrews, during nearly four centuries, failed whilst
directed against this citadel. The glory of carrying it was reserved
for David. This hero, proclaimed king by all the tribes, wished to
signalize his accession to the throne by the capture of Jerusalem; but
the Jebusites, who inhabited it, feeling convinced that their city was
impregnable, only opposed his army with the blind, the lame, and the
crippled. Enraged by this insult, David made them pay dearly for their
rude pride. He ordered a general assault; and Joab, mounting the breach
at the head of a chosen troop, overthrew the infidels, pursued them
to the fortress, entered with them, and opened the gates to the king.
David drove out the inhabitants, repaired the walls, strengthened the
fortifications, and established his abode in the city, which, from that
time, became the capital of the kingdom of the Jews.