Once the entire Nation of Israel united behind King David, he was able to conquer the holy city of Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) from the pagan Jebusites, and to rule there for thirty-three years. His palace was located in the City of David, just outside the present walls of the Old City of Yerushalayim. After fifteen years of archaeological excavations at this site, a Canaanite fortress dating back to the eighteenth century BCE was uncovered. This impressive structure is the largest fortress to have been discovered in Israel from before the time of King Herod. It protects the Gichon spring where Shlomo (Solomon) was anointed king (I Kings 1:38), making it possible to access the spring only from within the city of Yerushalayim. As this verse describes, when King David entered the city he conquered the “stronghold of Tzion” from the Jebusites, quite possibly referring to this very fortress discovered thousands of years later. Visitors to modern day Yerushalayim can visit this site and be inspired by seeing first hand evidence of the truth of the Bible. Hundreds of inspirations Bible verses and lessons await you in the Israel365 Daily Inspirationsdevotional.