Did King David Expel Anyone When He Conquered Canaan?
The story of King David and his conquests in Canaan is one of the most well-known and celebrated stories in the Bible. David is often portrayed as a hero and a great leader, but did he expel anyone when he conquered Canaan? In this blog post, we will explore this question and look at what the Bible has to say about David's conquests.
Who Was King David?
King David was a biblical figure who ruled over the Israelites in the 10th century BCE. He is known for his military prowess and his achievements as a king. David is also a central figure in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions, and his story has been retold countless times in literature, art, and music.
David's Conquests in Canaan
According to the Bible, David conquered many of the nations that inhabited Canaan, including the Jebusites, the Amorites, the Philistines, and the Moabites. He is also credited with expanding the territory of Israel and establishing Jerusalem as its capital.
But did David expel anyone when he conquered Canaan? The Bible provides some clues, but the answer is not entirely clear.
The Bible's Account
The Bible's account of David's conquests is found primarily in the books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles. These books describe David's military campaigns and his victories over various nations.
In 2 Samuel 5:6-10, it says, "And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who said to David, 'You will not come in here, but the blind and the lame will ward you off'...David took the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David."
This passage suggests that David conquered Jerusalem from the Jebusites. However, it does not mention whether or not he expelled them from the city.
In 2 Samuel 8:1-2, it says, "After this David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and David took Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines. And he defeated Moab and measured them with a line, making them lie down on the ground. Two lines he measured to be put to death, and one full line to be spared."
This passage suggests that David defeated the Philistines and the Moabites, but it does not mention whether or not he expelled them from their lands.
In 2 Samuel 12:31, it says, "And he [David] brought out the people who were in it [the city of Rabbah] and set them to labor with saws and iron picks and iron axes and made them toil at the brick kilns. And thus he did to all the cities of the Ammonites. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem."
This passage suggests that David defeated the Ammonites and enslaved their people. It does not mention whether or not he expelled them from their lands.
The Bible's account of David's conquests is therefore ambiguous. While it describes his victories over various nations, it does not provide a clear answer as to whether or not he expelled anyone from their lands.