Canaanite Period (circa 1800–1200 BCE)
During the Middle Bronze Age, the early inhabitants of Jerusalem, likely the Jebusites, recognized the importance of Gihon Spring and developed fortifications around it. To secure access to the water while protecting against external threats, they constructed an elaborate water system. One of the earliest known structures associated with the spring is the Middle Bronze Age Siloam Channel. This was a fairly straight channel, cut 20 feet into the ground and covered with slabs to conceal it under foliage. Functioning as an aqueduct, it transported water from the spring to the oldest Upper Pool of Siloam, providing a reliable water source for the settlement. A slightly later development was the Bronze Age Warren's Shaft System, which consisted of tunnels leading from the Well Gate at the top of the Ophel, down to the spring. Unlike later systems, this structure was not an aqueduct but rather a means for residents to descend safely and collect water. The natural vertical shaft known as Warren’s Shaft played no actual role in this system, despite its later association with the waterworks of the city.

Israelite and First Temple Period (circa 1000–586 BCE)
After King David captured Jerusalem from the Jebusites (circa 1010 BCE), he integrated the Gihon Spring into the city’s layout, making it a central resource for the newly established capital of the Israelite kingdom. The spring was not only crucial for daily water needs but also had ceremonial significance. Solomon (reigned circa 970–931 BCE) was anointed as king at Gihon (1 Kings 1:32-45), indicating its role in royal rituals.

By the late 8th century BCE, during the reign of King Hezekiah (circa 727–698 BCE), the Assyrian Empire under Sennacherib threatened Jerusalem. To protect the city's water supply from being cut off by invaders, Hezekiah ordered the construction of the Iron Age Siloam Tunnel (circa 701 BCE). This tunnel, carved through solid rock, redirected water from the Gihon Spring to the Pool of Siloam, located inside Jerusalem's defensive walls. The winding nature of the tunnel suggests that two teams of workers dug from opposite ends and met in the middle, as described in the Siloam Inscription, which was found carved into its wall.

The Siloam Tunnel effectively replaced the older Middle Bronze Age Siloam Channel, marking a significant advancement in Jerusalem's water infrastructure. In addition, the "spring tower", a fortified structure, was built around the spring to further secure access. These engineering projects highlight the strategic importance of the Gihon Spring during this period.

Babylonian and Second Temple Period (586 BCE–70 CE)
The Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BCE led to the deterioration of the city's infrastructure, including the water systems connected to the Gihon Spring. During the Persian and early Hellenistic periods (6th–3rd centuries BCE), Jerusalem was gradually rebuilt, and the spring remained a key water source. However, major renovations to the water systems occurred during the Hasmonean period (2nd–1st century BCE), when additional channels and reservoirs were developed to support the city's expanding population.

During the Roman period, the Second Temple stood in Jerusalem, and the city's water supply system was expanded to meet the needs of pilgrims and residents. The spring-fed Pool of Siloam became an important location for ritual purification (mikveh) before entering the Temple. Though new aqueducts were built to bring water from distant sources, the Gihon Spring remained a vital local resource.

Byzantine and Islamic Periods (4th–16th Century CE)
By the Byzantine period, the importance of the Gihon Spring declined as Jerusalem's water infrastructure improved, with cisterns and aqueducts supplying much of the city’s needs. However, Christian tradition associated the site with biblical events, and some structures around the spring were preserved.

During the early Islamic period (7th–11th centuries CE), Jerusalem continued to rely on the Gihon Spring, but it was no longer the city's primary source of water. The Crusaders (12th century CE) attempted to improve the water supply by constructing additional reservoirs. Due to these efforts, the Gihon Spring gradually lost its prominence as more advanced water systems were developed.

Ottoman to Modern Period (16th Century CE–Present)
Under Ottoman rule (16th–19th centuries CE), the spring was primarily used by local residents of the Silwan area and remained part of Jerusalem's historical landscape. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, modern water infrastructure reduced the city's dependence on the spring. Excavations in the 19th and 20th centuries uncovered Hezekiah's Tunnel and the ancient fortifications around the spring, confirming its significance in Jerusalem’s early history.

Today, the Gihon Spring is an important archaeological and tourist site, offering insights into ancient Jerusalem’s engineering and urban development. Its role in biblical history, combined with its sophisticated water systems, highlights its significance as one of the most important natural features of ancient Jerusalem.