David build his capital city not within the borders of modern day Jerusalem but on a narrow ridge just south of the Temple Mount. It is a long triangular ridge bordered by the Tyropoeoan valley on the west and the Kirdon valley in the east.

 
Though the land was technically given to the tribe of Benjamin, it was never claimed. It showed how shrewd a politician David was when he chose it to be the nation's capital as it was independent of any of the tribal structures. By bringing the Ark of the Covenant there (2 Sam.5; 6-9; 1 Chr.11:4-7), he made Jebus or the City of David the political and religious capital of the twelve tribes.

 
 

view of the Kildron Valley from Mt Ophel

 
 
 
 
 
 

staircase leading down from the acropolis