City of David

Foundation stones of David's Palace

On our day off this past Thursday we went to the City of David located just outside the city of Jerusalem's South wall near the Temple Mount. There have been extensive archeological digs done here over the past few years. It is a work in progress. It was very interesting to hear about the 4,000 year old history of this area going back to Melchizedek, King of Salem. The area was settled because of the Gihon Springs. Water is an important commodity in this area. The city went up a hill in the middle of Kidron Valley.

Hezekiahs tunnel was built here and exists today. It is cold here now so we didn't walk through the water tunnel but one day... David brought the Ark of the Covenant here and Solomon was annointed King of Israel. The pool of Siloam was here. It was at one time a mikvah or purifying bath for those going up to the Temple to make sacrifice. That helped us understand why Jesus put mud on the blind man's eyes and sent him to wash at the pool of Siloam. When he did, he could see. We really enjoyed the two and a half hour tour here even though it was strenuous with many stairs!

The Pool of Siloam

We had many groups in the Garden today (Saturday) most of them were from Nigeria. My favorite was a small group from the US. There was a blind lady in that group. No I did not put mud on her eyes and send her to the pool of Siloam. If you have noticed or have visited here before you have seen a fence in the tomb that keeps visitors in the preparation area from entering the burial chamber. I unlocked the gate in that fence and took the blind lady inside the burial chamber and helped her feel the walls and the burial chamber where Jesus may have been buried. The rest of the group stood in the preparation area and watched. There are no words to describe the joy I felt as the blind, who could not see, felt the tomb that may have been the Tomb of Jesus! She was thrilled!

I LOVE MY JOB HERE!!!