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King David' tomb and Last Supper

Mount Zion, Jerusalem

Monday, ‎December ‎23, ‎2013

Third Day of my Holy Land Trip, Mount Zion, Jerusalem

My Holy Land Trip

King David' tomb and Last Supper

Mount Zion, Jerusalem

The site, located on Mount Zion, is the traditional site of the tomb of King David, and one of the most holiest places for Jews, Christians and Muslims. It is one of the few sites in the world that is shared by the 3 religions.

1 Kings 2: 9: "So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David".

A view of Dormition Abbey, near to the Last supper room and Tomb of King David’ tomb, on Mount Zion:

Out side the  Dormition Abbey, near to the Last supper room and Tomb of King David:

A sculpture of King David playing the Harp is located near the entrance to the site. Check the "King David's harp" bridge for the Biblical reference on David and the harp, see the Picture below:

One of the holiest sites for Jews is the building on Mount Zion known as the Tomb of King David—the celebrated Old Testament warrior king of Israel who is traditionally credited with composing many of the Psalms.

The Old Testament clearly indicates that David was buried somewhere else. However, the site—directly underneath the Cenacle, where Christians commemorate the Last Supper—remains a place of pilgrimage for Jews, Muslims and Christians.

David’s death at the end of his 40-year reign is recorded in 1 Kings 2:10: “Then David slept with his ancestors and was buried in the city of David.”

Near to the Last supper room and Tomb of King David, on Mount Zion

Main entrance to the Tomb of King David:

A sculpture of King David playing the Harp is located near the entrance to the site. Check the "King David's harp" bridge for the Biblical reference on David and the harp, see the Picture below:

1 Samuel 16: 23: "David took an harp, and played with his hand"

Sarcophagus is empty:

Entry to the Tomb of David is through a courtyard which is part of a former Franciscan monastery that was closed in 1551.

The complex has three simple rooms, all without furniture except for wooden benches.

The entrance hall is used as a synagogue. There is a Christian tradition that this is where Christ washed his disciples’ feet during the Last Supper.

The massive cenotaph stands in front of a niche blackened by pilgrims’ candles. Over it is draped a velvet cloth with embroidered stars of David and inscriptions from the Jewish Scriptures. On it are scrolls of the Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) in ornate cases.

The cenotaph is an empty sarcophagus. In 1859 an Italian engineer, Ermete Pierotti, investigated the tomb and reported that underneath was a small, shallow and empty cave.

Tomb of King David, Mount Zion:

Tomb of King David, Mount Zion:

The thousand-year-old building that houses the Tomb of King David on Mount Zion in Jerusalem is almost always thronging; some have come to pray and pay homage to Israel’s famous king and ancestor of the Messiah, while others pour over sacred texts all day long in the anteroom next to the tomb.

Library room, next to Tomb of King David:

Jews have streamed here for centuries to recite the Psalms written by David, whose life teaches many lessons about human nature.

The tomb is covered with a velvet cloth embroidered with the words David Melech Israel Hai Vekayam, the first song many Jewish children learn, which evokes the sense that David’s spirit is still with us.

Library room, next to Tomb of King David:

Prayers at King David’s tomb also turn to Jerusalem, which David made the united capital of the tribes of Israel. The anniversary of David’s death coincides with the eve of Shavuot, when it is customary to pray and study all night at the tomb.

King David's Harp

King David's Harp

A new strings bridge was constructed on the western entrance to the city, as part of the light rail mass transit system in Jerusalem.  The bridge resembles a harp, fitting the image of the "city of David".

A new strings bridge was constructed on the western entrance to the city, as part of the light rail mass transit system in Jerusalem.  The form of the bridge resembles a harp, fitting the image of the "city of David". This new Jerusalem landmark dominates the skyline of the city.

King David was a talented harp musician and is often illustrated playing the harp. The Bible tells us that he played for King Saul to calm him from his bad moods (1 Samuel 16: 23: "David took an harp, and played with his hand")

This event happened after David was anointed by prophet Samuel to be the next King. King Saul became tormented and bitter and his advisors suggested to bring a musician to calm his spirits. The spin in the story is that, ironically, they summoned David to play the harp, since he was known as a great musician.

"Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him. And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee. Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well.

And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me. Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him. Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep. And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul.

And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer. And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favor in my sight. And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him".