This Bible History Daily feature was originally published in 2014.—Ed.
A massive 3,800-year-old fortress that protected the Gihon Spring was uncovered in the City of David. Photo: Eli Mandelbaum, courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority.
This enormous 18th-century B.C.E. structure that isolates and protects the Gihon Spring is believed to be the fortress described in the Book of Samuel that King David conquered:
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The Gihon Spring was also the site where King Solomon was crowned, according to the Book of Kings:
According to Oriya Dasberg, director of development in the City of David, “The Spring Citadel was built in order to save and protect the water of the city from enemies coming to conquer it, as well as to protect the people going down to the spring to get water and bring it back up to the city.”
With 23-foot-thick walls comprised of stone blocks up to ten feet wide, the Spring Citadel represents the largest Canaanite fortress discovered thus far in Israel.
Read more about the Canaanite fortress uncovered at the Gihon Spring.
This Bible History Daily feature was originally published in April 7, 2014.
Related reading in Bible History Daily:
For Rent or Buy: Apartments with a Canaanite Fortress in the Basement
The Seleucid Akra: 2,200-Year-Old Jerusalem Fortress Uncovered?
Excavating the City of David is the definitive book on the City of David—the oldest part of Jerusalem—by City of David excavator Ronny Reich. Learn about the Siloam Tunnel, Warren’s Shaft system, Siloam Inscription, Theodotos Inscription and Pool of Siloam in this must-read publication.
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The spring of Gihon is generally believed to have been involved in the method employed by General Joab in penetrating the nearly impregnable Jebusite stronghold at Jerusalem, making possible its capture by David. (1Ch 11:6) Although the translation of the Hebrew text at 2 Samuel 5:8 presents certain problems, the usual rendering indicates the presence of a “water tunnel,” referred to by David when promoting the attack on the city. In 1867 C.E., Charles Warren discovered a water channel running back from the cave in which the spring of Gihon rises and, after a distance of some 20 m (66 ft), ending in a pool or reservoir. A vertical shaft in the rock above this pool extended upward 11 m (36 ft), and at the top of the shaft there was a place where persons could stand and let down containers by rope to draw water from the pool below. A sloping passageway led back nearly 39 m (128 ft) from the shaft up into the interior of the city. By this means it is believed that the Jebusites maintained access to their water source even when unable to venture outside the city walls because of enemy attack. Although the spring of Gihon is not directly mentioned in the account, it is suggested that Joab and his men daringly gained entrance to the city through this water tunnel.https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200001691?q=gihon+spring&p=par#h=5
Solomon being the one who BUILT the temple, there is no way he could have been anointed at the temple, though he could have been anointed at the tabernacle. That being said, there is no question that the temple stood where the spring is located and not where so many believe it to have been.
You’re all missing the obvious. Repeatedly and throughout the Bible God makes reference to His unique and special real estate. What is God’s holy mountain? Zion. What was it called? City of David. What was there? The TEMPLE! The Gihon Spring was integral to Temple worship and function. As the article rightly references 1 Kings 1:32-34, David passed the throne to Solomon and sent him to the priest to be anointed. Where did he send him? To Gihon. Who was there? Zadok the priest. Where does a priest perform his duties? At the Temple. What did he anoint him with? Oil from the Temple. Folks, the true location of the Temple is under their very noses. It is NOT part of the western wall which is where the Antonia Fortress would have been. Early pilgrims to the region merely assumed it was the temple location out of their own zeal and ignorance (tradition has a way of deceiving intellect). For those of you who are Christian, and therefore must believe the words of Jesus, if He said “not one stone shall be left upon another,” then He’s either a liar or Jews are praying in the wrong location.
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