The most bizarre memorial we visited on our trip to Israel was our visit to the Tomb of King David. The tomb is located at Mount Zion along with the Upper Room. The location of this tomb dates back to the Crusader era, but parts of the actual structure date back to the first century. It is believed that Christians have worshiped at this location since the first century, when it may have been an early house church. Digs around this site have failed to provide evidence that this is the actual tomb of King David, but it is now held sacred by Jews and Muslims as well as Christians.
So why was this location so bizarre to me? The site is open to everyone. However, it is often occupied by ultra-orthodox Jews. There is a sect of some sort located in the room adjacent to the actual tomb that were extremely loud and aggressive. They would dance with visitors and play music and then demand donations. In a word, they were creepy. Our guide warned us about them as we entered. Our guide, who was also Jewish, referred to them as "mentally ill." That might be a bit strong, but their actions were a bit disconcerting.
I did not want to take a photo inside the tomb, but snapped this one from the adjacent room. If you look to the left of the photo, you will see a wooden barrier. This site, like the Western Wall, is gender segregated. Women enter through a different entrance from the men. I am not sure if the women's side had the same theatrics as the men's, but I didn't hear the tumult coming from that direction that you could hear from the men's side. It only takes a minute to visit. Unless you are coming to pray and reflect. There is not much room in the tiny tomb area, so there really isn't an opportunity to linger for too long. And if you are gentile, you will probably be made to feel unwelcome if you linger too long.
The Tomb of King David is entered through the same courtyard that leads to the Upper Room. They are located in the same structure.
A bit more about the location of King David's Tomb. The biblical accounts place the tomb in the original city, which lies to the south of the current "walled" Jerusalem. Digs in that area seem to corroborate that. Other biblical accounts place his burial in Bethlehem. Because of the language used, the accounts don't necessarily conflict, but they do conflict based on our knowledge of the geography during that era. The Bethlehem location is based on the wording that he is buried with his forefathers. I tend to think that the scripture is best reconciled if the location is in the old City of David on the spur that runs to the south of Jerusalem.
In any event, Mount Zion is worth visiting for any religious pilgrim, particularly for Christians. This location is said to be where Jesus' washed the feet of his disciples. It is where the last supper happened and where the Holy Spirit came a Pentecost. It is also likely the place where Thomas stuck his hands in Christ's wounds. The location is mentioned throughout the bible as significant in both the old testament and the gospel. It is a strategic high point overlooking the nearby valleys. It would have been very significant in ancient times.
Be sure to check out my other adventures in Israel!
A Christian Guide to Israel
Hotels
Cinema Hotel Tel Aviv, Israel
Ron Beach Hotel, Tiberias, Israel
Prima Park Hotel Jerusalem, Israel
Attractions
Caesarea National Park Caesarea, Israel
Mount Precipice Mount Kedimum, Israel
Sea of Galilee Boat Ride Tiberias, Israel
Yigal Alon Museum (Jesus Boat) Ginosar, Israel
Capernaum, Israel
St. Peter’s Restaurant Kinneret, Israel
Caesarea Phillipi Banias, Israel
Gadot Lookout and Memorial Golan Heights, Israel
Jordan River Baptismal Site Yardenit, Israel
Beit She’an National Park Beit She’an, Israel
Mount of Olives, Jerusalem, Israel
Garden Tomb Jerusalem, Israel
Western Wall Jerusalem, Israel
Western Wall Tunnels Jerusalem, Israel
Bethlehem New Store Gift Shop
Pools of Bethesda Jerusalem, Israel
Via Dolorosa Jerusalem, Israel
Israel Museum, Jerusalem, Israel
Yad Vashem, Jerusalem, Israel
House of Caiaphas the High Priest, Jerusalem, Israel
The Upper Room Jerusalem, Israel
Tomb of King David, Jerusalem, Israel
Masada National Park, Masada, Israel
The Dead Sea, Masada, Israel
Churches
Discalced Carmelite Monastery Muhraqa, Israel
Basilica of the Annunciation Nazareth, Israel
St. Peter’s Church Capernaum, Israel
Church of the Multiplication Tabgha, Israel
Church of the Beatitudes Tabgha, Israel
Church of All Nations Jerusalem, Israel
Church of Saint Anne Jerusalem, Israel
Church of the Holy Sepulcher Jerusalem, Israel
Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem, West Bank
Unless otherwise indicated, these photos are my own. They may be used with permission.