Lecture 3

           The 2^nd temple was rebuilt in 515 BCE and Dome of the Rock was first built in 691 BCE. The Mesopotamian temples were sacred spaces where god could be worshipped. The idea that Jerusalem was made sacred attracted many storied that revealed the divine communicating with regular people. Some of the stories may be historical or borrowed from other mythical stories. Regardless it attracted people to Jerusalem so that they could experience a connection with god. David’s Jerusalem consisted of the western hill, the Gihon Spring,  Warren’s shaft, and the Siloam pool; all of which were vital to the city of David. He built a palace, not the Temple, as a residing place for the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark was believed to be the symbol of god’s physical presence on earth. It was made of pure gold and protected by two cherubim on the sides of the mercy seat. There were also rings on each side of the ark with poles in them so that no  mortal man would have to touch it when carrying it. If someone did touch it they would immediately be struck dead. The promise to David occurs in 2 Samuel 7 when the Lord tells David that “your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever.” This was god’s covenant to David. There is no concrete evidence that David was an actual man besides the Tel dan inscription. This inscription is of a man bragging about him defeating the house of David. The inscription does not mean David existed but it is the first mention of his name outside of the Bible. Jerusalem was made sacred by the existence of the Ark of the Covenant, God’s covenant with David, and so much more that occurs later on.