The ancient city of Jerusalem didn’t begin where the Old City stands today, but on a narrow ridge sloping south from the current Temple Mount. King David conquered this area from the Canaanite tribe, the Jebusites, around 1000 years before Christ. This small area, about 5 hectares in size, became David’s capital, where he set up a tent to hold the Ark of the Covenant. Surrounded by natural defenses like the Hinnom valley to the south, the Kidron Valley to the east, and the Tyropoeon Valley to the west, along with fresh water from the Gihon Spring, it was home to David, Solomon, and other kings and prophets like Hezekiah, Josiah, Isaiah, and Jeremiah.