Bible Strands
1 Chronicles 11:5
The people of Jebus said to David, “You will never get in here.” Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the City of David).
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Jebusite inhabitants address David as his army approaches Jerusalem, attempting to deter his advance by claiming the city is impregnable. This statement occurs immediately after David marches on the fortified city and before he issues his reward for the first man to breach its defenses.
The words — The Hebrew לֹא תָב֖וֹא (lo' ta.Vo') literally means "you will not enter," expressing a definitive refusal to allow access. The verb וַ/יִּלְכֹּ֤ד (va/i.yil.Kod) translates to "and he captured," marking the decisive reversal of that claim.
The thread — This conquest of Zion parallels God's later declaration in Psalms 132:13 that He chose Zion as His chosen dwelling place. The narrative also echoes David's earlier defiance against Goliath in 1 Samuel 17:9-26, where he similarly dismissed an enemy's intimidation with divine reliance.
Why it lands — The verse demands recognition that human claims of impenetrability yield to decisive action. It requires the reader to observe how stated impossibilities are overturned by historical fulfillment rather than rhetorical argument.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And the inhabitants of Jebus said to David, Thou shalt not come hither. Nevertheless David took the castle of Zion, which is the city of David.
Cross-references
- Psalms 132:13 For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His home:
- 1 Samuel 17:9 If he is able to fight me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and work for us.”
- 1 Samuel 17:26 David asked the men who were standing with him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Just who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”
- 1 Samuel 17:36 Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.”
- 2 Samuel 5:9 So David took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David. He built it up all the way around, from the supporting terraces inward.
- 2 Samuel 6:10 So he was unwilling to move the ark of the LORD to the City of David; instead, he took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.
- 2 Samuel 6:12 Now it was reported to King David, “The LORD has blessed the house of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.” So David went and had the ark of God brought up from the house of Obed-edom into the City of David with rejoicing.
- 1 Kings 8:1 At that time Solomon assembled before him in Jerusalem the elders of Israel—all the tribal heads and family leaders of the Israelites—to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from Zion, the City of David.
- 1 Chronicles 11:7 So David took up residence in the fortress; that is why it was called the City of David.
- 2 Chronicles 5:2 At that time Solomon assembled in Jerusalem the elders of Israel—all the tribal heads and family leaders of the Israelites—to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from Zion, the City of David.