The history of Jerusalem before its capture by David is unclear. The Late Bronze Age and the Iron Age I saw significant political, economic and ethnic changes in the Land of Israel. These changes took place after the powers that controlled the region, the Egyptians and the Hittites, lost their status as a result of fluctuations in climate as well as political changes, including the invasion by the Sea Peoples, among them the Philistines.

During the Iron Age I the central mountain region saw intensive settlement, mainly in its northern part, and to a lesser extent in its southern part. According to the Bible, at the end of this period a king was chosen for Israel for the first time. It was Saul, who made his capital Gibeah, north of Jerusalem, today identified as Tell el-Ful.