The City of David

The City of David, located outside the southern walls of the Old City of Jerusalem, is where historians believe King David captured a Jebusite city, which became his palace, and eventually, grew to become Jerusalem.  2 Samuel 5:6-7 reads "The king and his men marched to Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites,who lived there. The Jebusites said to David, “You will not get in here; even the blind and the lame can ward you off.” They thought, “David cannot get in here.”  Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion—which is the City of David."

Today, the City of David is an archaeological park.  The site includes the spring of Gihon, two Pools of Siloam, Hezekiah's Tunnel, and the ruins of what many believe may be the actual foundations of the palace of King David.  

Hezekiah's Tunnel (also called the Siloam Tunnel) is a 533 meter long tunnel, that carried water from the Gihon Spring into the Pool of Siloam.  Originally built as a way to supply water to Jerusalem if it was under siege, it is now a popular tourist spot - walking thru the tunnel from the City of David, through water as deep as thigh-high, out to the Pool of Siloam.

The entrance way 

Foundation to the Palace of King David

Part of the excavation 

More of the excavation 

More of the excavation

At the entrance into Hezekiah's Tunnel.  An Arab village can be seen across the Kidron Valley

Outside looking in

Inside looking out

Descending into Hezekiah's Tunnel.  Once down there, it is pitch black.  The only light is from your flashlight, and those of your companions.  When you turn your lights off, it is DARK!

Looking back into the exit of Hezekiah's Tunnel

Back into the light!

This is the opposite end of the photo above.  The water comes from the tunnel, and previously, flowed into the Pool of Siloam.  Now it is heading into the water system of Jerusalem.

Steps leading down into the Pool of Siloam.  In the New Testament, Jesus spit on the ground, made some mud, and rubbed it over a blind man's eyes.  He then instructed him to go wash his eyes in the Pool of Siloam.

Another view of the steps.
John 9:6-7 reads "Then he spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and spread the mud over the blind man’s eyes. He told him, “Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam” (Siloam means “sent”).
So the man went and washed and came back seeing!"

A poppy at the Pool of Siloam