Tower of David & King Herod's Palace Complex

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Introduction

1. This is a landmark site in Old City Jerusalem. It's history goes way back to over 2,800 years ago.

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2. We'll see evidence of this as we see this site.

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3. We'll see part of Herod's Palace, close to where Jesus was tried before Pontius Pilate.

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4. Today, it's a museum marking all these monumental events over the years. 

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5. At the end, we'll have a faith lesson to learn the truths God has for us at this historical site.

 

Location

 

1. The Tower of David, also known as the Jerusalem Citadel, is a historic and iconic landmark located near the Jaffa Gate entrance to the Old City of Jerusalem. Its history spans several millennia and reflects the city's rich and diverse cultural heritage.

 

2. King Herod’s Palace, located near the Tower of David, was one of the most magnificent structures in ancient Jerusalem.

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3. The name "Tower of David" was first used for the Herodian tower in the 5th century AD by the Byzantine Christians, who believed the site to be the palace of King David. They borrowed the name "Tower of David" from the Song of Songs, attributed to Solomon, King David's son, who wrote: "Thy neck is like the Tower of David built with turrets, whereon there hang a thousand shields, all the armor of the mighty men" (Song of Solomon 4:4).

 

Tower of David Historical Background

 

1. First Temple Period - 1000 BC to 901 BC

The site dates back to the First Temple period and was part of the city’s northern fortifications.

 

2. Hasmonean Period - 165 to 63 BC

Significant construction occurred during this period, and the fortress was rebuilt. The northern part of Old City Jerusalem was always the weakest and most vulnerable side because attacking armies could descend upon it from higher ground.

 

3. Herodian Period - 37 to 4 BC

Herod, who took power over the Hasmonean dynasty, added three massive towers to the fortifications in 37–34 BC. He built these at the vulnerable northwest corner of the Western Hill, where the Citadel is now located. His purpose was not only to defend the city but also to safeguard his own royal palace located nearby on Mount Zion. Herod named the tallest of the towers in memory of his brother, who had committed suicide while in captivity. Another tower was called Mariamne, named for his second wife, whom he had executed and buried in a cave to the west of the tower. He named the third tower Hippicus after one of his friends. Of the three towers, only the base of one of them survives today. Of the original tower itself (now called the Tower of David), some sixteen courses of the Herodian stone ashlars still rise from ground level, upon which were added smaller stones in a later period that added back significantly to the height of the remaining stump of the Herodian tower.

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Roman Period in Israel - 63 BC to 313 AD
During the Jewish war with Rome, Simon Bar Kokhba made the tower his residence. Following the Romans' destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE, the three towers were preserved as a testimony of the might of the fortifications and  Roman legions, and the site served as barracks for the Roman troops.

 

Byzantine Period in Israel - 313 to 614 AD

The Byzantines also fortified the area, adding to its defensive capabilities.

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When the empire adopted Christianity as its dominant religion in the 4th century, a community of monks established itself in the citadel. During this time, the remaining Herodian tower and the Citadel acquired their alternative name, the "Tower of David." This was so because the Byzantines mistakenly identified the hill as Mount Zion and presumed it to be David's palace, as mentioned in 2 Samuel 5:11, 11:1–27, and 16:22.

 

Islamic Period - 638 to 1099 AD

After the Arab conquest of Jerusalem in 638, the new Muslim rulers refurbished the citadel. This mighty structure withstood the Crusaders' assault in 1099 and surrendered only when its defenders were guaranteed safe passage out of the city.

 

Crusader Period - 1099 to 1291 AD

The Crusaders captured Jerusalem in 1099 and used the citadel as a fortress. During this period, thousands of pilgrims undertook the pilgrimage to Jerusalem through the port at Jaffa. To protect pilgrims from the menace of highway robbers, the Crusaders built a tower surrounded by a moat atop the citadel and posted lookouts to guard the road to Jaffa. The citadel also protected the newly erected palace of the Crusader kings of Jerusalem, located immediately south of the citadel.

 

Mamluk and Ottoman Period - 2191 to 1800 AD

In 1310, the citadel was rebuilt by Mamluk sultan Al-Nasir Muhammad ibn Qalawun, who gave it much of its present shape.

The Ottoman sultan Suleiman the Magnificent expanded the citadel between 1537 and 1541, whose architects designed a large entrance behind which stood a cannon emplacement. For 400 years, the citadel served as a garrison for Turkish troops. The Ottomans also installed a mosque near the southwest corner of the citadel, erecting a minaret between 1635 and 1655. In the 19th century, the conspicuous minaret still stands today and became commonly called the "Tower of David." During World War I, British forces under General Edmund Allenby captured Jerusalem. General Allenby formally proclaimed the event, standing on a platform at the outer eastern gate of the citadel.

 

British Mandate Period - 1917 to 1948

During this period, the Tower of David served as a military headquarters. Additionally, the High Commissioner established the Pro-Jerusalem Society to protect the city's cultural heritage. This organization cleaned and renovated the citadel and reopened it to the public as a venue for concerts, benefit events, and exhibitions by local artists. In the 1930s, a museum of Palestinian folklore was opened in the citadel, displaying traditional crafts and clothing.

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Following the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, the Arab Legion captured Jerusalem and converted the citadel back to its historical role as a military position, as it commanded a dominant view across the armistice line into Jewish Jerusalem. It would keep this role until 1967.

 

State of Israel Today

Since the Six-Day War in 1967, the citadel's cultural role has been revived. The Jerusalem Foundation opened the Tower of David Museum of the History of Jerusalem in 1989. Located in a series of chambers in the original citadel, the museum includes a courtyard with archeological remains dating back 2,700 years. The exhibits depict 4,000 years of Jerusalem's history, from its beginnings as a Canaanite city to modern times. Using maps, videotapes, holograms, drawings, and models, the exhibit rooms each depict Jerusalem under its various rulers. Visitors may also ascend to the ramparts, which command a 360-degree view of Jerusalem's Old and New City. As of 2002, the Jerusalem Foundation reported that over 3.5 million visitors had toured the museum.

 

The Tower of David stands as a testament to Jerusalem’s complex and layered history, reflecting the many civilizations that have left their mark on the city. If you ever visit, you’ll find it offers a fascinating glimpse into the past! 

 

King Herod's Palace Historical Background

 

1. King Herod’s Palace, located near the Tower of David, was one of the most magnificent structures in ancient Jerusalem.

 

2. Herod the Great built it in the 1st century BC. The palace was renowned for its grandeur and luxury.

 

3. The palace complex included two main buildings with banquet halls, baths, and gardens, all surrounded by impressive fortifications.

 

4. It served as the administrative center of Herod’s rule and later as the residence of Roman governors, including Pontius Pilate.

 

5. The Tower of David and Herod’s Palace were part of the same fortified area, with the palace located just to the west of the citadel.

 

6. Excavations have uncovered parts of Herod’s palace near the Tower of David, providing valuable insights into the period's architectural and historical context.

 

7. The Kishle and King Herod’s Palace offer fascinating glimpses into Jerusalem’s layered history, from ancient times through various periods of conquest and rule. If you visit the Tower of David Museum, you can explore these areas and learn more about their historical significance.

 

Places of Interest

 

1. Tower of David Museum

2. Jaffa Gate

3. Herod/Pilate's Palace

4. Kishle

5. Temple Mount

6. Church of the Holy Sepulchre

 

Faith Lesson from the Tower of David and Herod's Palace

 

1. The stones here cry out that God’s Word is true and is verifiable through the fulfillment of these prophecies.

 

2. At the Southern Stair entrance area of the Temple Mount is a sad but very true saying, “The Jerusalem Stone, so resilient and supple, bows to the transient follies of humankind, bearing a testimony like a hundred witnesses, and yet, remains silent.”

 

3. We find in all that has happened to the Jews a powerful and sobering message for us today. Obedience brings God’s blessings, but disobedience brings His discipline. 
1 Corinthians 10:11–12: Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. 12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.
 

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