The scene: King David, poised to capture the city of the Jebusites. But this wasn't just any siege. The Jebusites, confident in their defenses, had placed idols upon their walls – idols emblazoned with the very sign of the covenant, the brit milah, the mark of circumcision, the oath of Abraham. A brazen act of defiance!
David, ever the strategist, knew what needed to be done. "Whoever goes up first," he declared to his men, "and removes those images... he shall be the chief!" Think about the weight of that challenge. Climbing those walls, facing the enemy, and desecrating their idols – all to reclaim what was rightfully Israel's.
Enter Joab, son of Zeruiah. A formidable figure in David's army, and a man not easily deterred. He took up the gauntlet, scaled the walls, and removed the offensive images. And just as David promised, he became the chief. We see this confirmed in 1 Chronicles 11:6: "And Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, and was made chief."
But capturing the city was just the beginning. Securing it, making it a lasting possession for Israel, required something more: a legitimate purchase. Joab, now the chief, bought the city from the Jebusites. Not through conquest, but through a proper transaction, sealed with gold and a "perpetual deed for a perpetual possession."
So, how much did this piece of history cost? Well, David, resourceful as always, levied a contribution from each tribe: fifty shekels from each. According to Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, this totaled six hundred shekels. This is echoed in 1 Chronicles 21:25, which tells us, "So David gave to Ornan for the place six hundred shekels of gold by weight."
It's a fascinating detail, isn't it? This act, purchasing the land, underscores the permanence of Israel's claim to Jerusalem. It wasn't simply taken by force, but acquired through a recognized transaction.
Consider this: the story in Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer isn't just about military conquest. It's about reclaiming sacred space, about upholding the covenant, and about establishing a lasting legacy. It's a story of leadership, courage, and the enduring connection between the Jewish people and Jerusalem – a connection forged not just in battle, but also in the marketplace. What does that tell us about the nature of claiming what is rightfully yours?