City of David Revealed, Fulfilling Biblical Prophesy. Evidence Supported by Archaeological Discoveries

Modern discoveries have revealed the authentic City of David in Israel and are fulfilling Biblical prophesy as archaeologists uncover scriptural evidence.

“Shake off your dust; rise up, sit enthroned, Jerusalem.” Isaiah 52:2

Who would have thought that in modern times, we would get to watch this happen before our eyes through the excavation of the City of David?

The City of David, which experts now believe to be the ancient Jerusalem, was discovered only 150 years ago. Before that, the predominant thought was that the Old City was the site of ancient Jerusalem, where David set up the capital city of the tribes of Israel more than 3,000 years ago.

Today, the dust is flying, and the longer archaeologists work, the more we can see puzzle pieces of Scripture fall into place in the stones of this city.

The City of David Revealed

For centuries, the City of David remained veiled as tourists visited the Old City of Jerusalem, believing they were seeing David’s capital city. But 150 years ago, a British archaeologist named Charles Warren discovered a tunnel system now known as Warren’s Shaft, which David used to capture the city. Warren knew he had stumbled on the true City of David.

As archaeologists uncovered his find, many pieces of Scripture and prophesy fell into place.

You can stand in the places Abraham met Melchizedek, where Isaiah gave his prophecies, and where kings David and Solomon served the Lord.

It’s given new life to this ancient city, so full of rich Biblical history. It’s an exciting time to visit Israel and walk among the sites where Jerusalem is literally shaking off its dust.

Tour Guide: Archaeologist Eli Shukron

Our Israel Christian Tour guide Eli Shukron is a world famous Israeli archaeologist, excavator, scholar and licensed tour guide of the ancient remains of Jerusalem. He received his master’s degree from the Institute of Archaeology of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and works for the Israel Antiquities Authority.

Shukron has excavated the Holy City of Jerusalem in Israel for the past 25 years. He personally discovered and helped excavate the Pool of Siloam and Jerusalem Pilgrim Road from the Second Temple era. Additionally, he worked on the excavation of the Canaanite fortress in the City of David, and on the foundations of the Western Wall.

We are excited to have such an authority on this area available to you in such an exciting time for biblical archaeology. Read more about how Shukron will help bring the City of David in focus with Scripture and archaeology.

Mount Zion May Be Located at the City of David

Through the years, Mount Zion was always said to be within the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem. But, we are excited about the continued revelations coming to light through the excavation of the City of David, each year new discoveries there are validating Scripture.

Before its discovery 150 years ago, it made sense that Mount Zion would be within the Old City, where many claimed ancient Jerusalem was. However, our friend Eli theorized, “It is in the walls of this smaller city, to the south of the Old City of Jerusalem, is the real Mount Zion.”

We believe this not because Eli Shukron said it, but because the Bible did.

“Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion: the same is the city of David.”

2 Samuel 5:7 (KJV)

“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.”

1 Chronicles 11:5 (KJV)

“Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto king Solomon in Jerusalem, that they might bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the city of David, which is Zion.”

1 Kings 8:1-2 (KJV)

This is exciting evidence that the City of David is Mount Zion. The Bible used them interchangeably. If the City of David is not in the place we have thought it was, that means Mount Zion isn’t either.

King David’s Water Tunnel in 2 Samuel

In the Second Book of Samuel, it is written that King David captured Jerusalem, then under Jebusite control, using a water shaft to penetrate the city’s defenses. “This is the citadel of King David, this is the Citadel of Zion, and this is what King David took from the Jebusites,” Eli Shukron said. “The whole site we can compare to the Bible perfectly.”

People around Jerusalem would go to these water tunnels to get their water. The fortress was believed to protect the water supply. There is a narrow path leading to the location of the wall where King David would have been able to penetrate the City.

Discoveries like this prove the accuracy and truth of the Bible to an unbelieving world! Watch this video of Eli further explaining his find! 

Shukron’s dig, which began in 1995, uncovered a massive fortification of five-ton stones stacked 21 feet (6 meters) wide. Pottery shards helped date the fortification walls to be 3,800 years old. They are the largest walls found in the region from before the time of King Herod, the ambitious builder who expanded the Second Jewish Temple complex in Jerusalem almost 2,100 years ago.

Associated Press

Pool of Siloam

You can now visit the Pool of Siloam, fed by the Gihon Spring, the city’s water source. The pool is where Jesus healed the blind man and Jewish people gathered for the Feasts of the Lord. Researchers believe that the pilgrim travelers going up to the Jewish Temple would wash in the Pool of Siloam before taking the Pilgrim Road up to Temple Mount.

In 2004, Israeli archaeologist Eli Shukron made an incredible find with his discovery of the Pool of Siloam in Jerusalem. This find was important, not only for historical reasons, but because the Pool of Siloam actually played a role in scripture, and specifically in one of the miracles of Jesus.

And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.

John 9:7

Uncovering Jerusalem’s Pilgrim Road

Eli Shukron was instrumental in the archaeological discovery of Jerusalem’s Pilgrimage Road hidden underneath the City of David.

Jerusalem’s Pilgrim Road was recently discovered in Israel.  This road was used by pilgrims traveling to the temple during the time of Jesus.  They would use the Pool of Siloam as a mikveh, where they would ritually cleanse themselves, and then take the Pilgrims Road up to the temple.

Since the late 1800’s, sections of the road had been discovered, studied, and then reburied for conservation. The road travels through today’s Palestinian neighborhood of Siwan, through Old City Jerusalem, and passes by the Western Wall.

Here is the video of the official opening of the Pilgrimage Road. You will hear Eli Shukron’s name mentioned because he was instrumental in the recent discovery of this road.

Eli Shukron Explains the Discovery and Lesser-Known Features of the Pilgrimage Road

Insight from Temple Mount Rubble

On our tours, we are able to sift through Temple Mount rubble, which has been moved to Mt. Scopus after a construction project loosed artifacts at the site of King Solomon’s stables. Here, we have an informative teaching and then get to learn how archaeologists systematically sift debris.

The rubble thus far has produced numerous amazing finds. The most impressive find is clay seal of the name Ge’aliyahu, son of Immer – who is the temple official mentioned in Jeremiah 20! In addition, there have been numerous coins from 70AD – the time of the destruction of the second temple and a Jewish coin with Hebrew words that say “Freedom of Zion”. The archaeologist led sifting project is very informative and provides a glimpse into the life of those who have hope in a future temple.

As you have no doubt experienced firsthand over the course of your studies, what makes archaeology so fascinating is that it is a changing field where we are constantly learning new things. We are excited to share those new discoveries with you as you forge this path through history.

Being led through the City of David by Eli is a special and unique experience! He has tirelessly searched for its hidden treasures of history and has special insight that no other guide can provide. Interested in having Israel’s premier archaeologist guide you through the city of David? Want to see the newly opened Pilgrimage Road? Join us on a trip that goes far beyond a regular vacation.