Even back then, it was considered sacred ground, hallowed by the footsteps of Adam, Noah, and Abraham. According to tradition, it had been in the hands of the heathen – specifically, the Jebusites. These weren't just any heathens, either. They were descendants of the very sons of Heth who had sold the Cave of Machpelah to Abraham.
And here's where it gets interesting. Ginzberg, in his Legends of the Jews, tells us that the Jebusites made a deal with Abraham: they'd only cede the cave if their descendants were never forcibly removed from Jerusalem. To make sure everyone remembered, they erected brass monuments, essentially giant reminders of the agreement.
So, when David showed up with his army, ready to take the city, the Jebusites simply pointed to the monuments. "Look!" they cried. "Abraham's promise is right here, engraved for all to see!" They felt secure behind their high walls, confident that David couldn't break an oath made by their forefather.
The problem? According to them, David had to destroy the monuments before he could even think about taking the city. How could he honor Abraham's promise and still achieve his goal?
Enter Joab, David’s resourceful general. He came up with a plan that was… well, let's just say it was unconventional. He found a tall cypress tree near the wall, bent it way down, and then, believe it or not, stood on David's head! From there, he grabbed the very tip of the tree. When the tree sprang back, Joab was launched over the wall, landing inside the city. A bit like a human catapult, really!
Once inside, Joab made quick work of the monuments. With the monuments destroyed, and thus the agreement seemingly nullified, David was able to possess himself of Jerusalem.
There's also another version of the story, a more miraculous one. According to this account, the city walls miraculously lowered themselves before David, allowing him to simply walk in. It’s a powerful image, isn’t it?
But David, ever the diplomat, wasn't keen on taking the city by force, or even through miraculous means if he could avoid it. Instead, he offered the Jebusites six hundred shekels – fifty shekels for each tribe of Israel. The Jebusites, seeing a good deal, accepted the money and gave David a bill of sale. Problem solved.
So, what do we make of this tale? Was it Joab's ingenuity, a divine miracle, or good old-fashioned negotiation that ultimately secured Jerusalem for David? Perhaps it was a little of all three. It serves as a reminder that even the most sacred goals can be achieved through a combination of faith, cleverness, and a willingness to find common ground.