Albert Barnes Commentary Nehemiah 12:37

"And by the fountain gate, and straight before them, they went up by the stairs of the city of David, at the ascent of the wall, above the house of David, even unto the water gate eastward." — Nehemiah 12:37 (ASV)

Above the house of David - This choir or procession went above (or beyond) the old palace of David, following the line described in (Nehemiah 3:16–26), on their way to the eastern wall.