Conquest of Jerusalem

The multiple accounts concerning the conquest of Jerusalem complicate efforts to date the texts about David in 1 and 2 Samuel. Arguments that the original text was composed at a very early period depend on establishing that this is the most likely context of such a composition (Na’aman, “Saul, Benjamin”). However, there are what could be viewed as divergent accounts within the narrative.

Views on the historicity of the events recorded in the David narratives, such as his conquest of Jerusalem, have also contributed to discussions of the text’s date. The Bible contains several accounts of the conquest of Jerusalem. Second Samuel portrays David and a select band of men conquering Jerusalem (2 Sam 5:6–10). In contrast, 1 Chronicles records that “David and all Israel went to Jerusalem” (1 Chr 11:4 ESV) and conquered it. Joshua and Judges also contain accounts of the conquest of Jerusalem (Josh 15:63; 18:28; Judg 1:8, 21) but do not clarify whether the men of Judah or Benjamin achieved it (see also 1 Chr 9). The history of David’s rise could also be viewed as inconsistent in its depictions of Jerusalem as a conquered city. For example, 1 Samuel 17:54 records that the young David brought Goliath’s head to Jerusalem as a trophy—an event that took place well before David became king.