Archaeologist's Research Appears to Support Bible's Claims About King David's Kingdom

Christian Post ^ | FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 2023 | Samantha Kamman

[nickcarraway]

While some scholars have argued that the Bible’s description of King David ruling over a great kingdom is exaggerated, new research suggests that the land overseen by the Old Testament king was more well-developed than some experts believe.

Prof. Yosef Garfinkel of the Institute of Archaeology at Hebrew University theorized in a paper published in the peer-reviewed Jerusalem Journal of Archaeology that King David ruled over an urban network of fortified cities, which supports the Bible’s description of his kingdom.

Garfinkel outlined five different sites in his study — Khirbet Qeiyafa, Beth Shemesh, Lachish and Tell en-Naṣbeh and a country hill — finding that these locations had a fairly similar layout.

Three of the sites had what’s known as a casemate wall, a double wall that typically protects a city or fortress. Some sites also contained Canaanite inscriptions, which the study suggested showed an “increasing demand for communication and a marker of centralized authority.”

As The Times of Israel reported Monday, those who believe King David ruled over a few thousand Bedouin shepherds near Jerusalem fall into the “minimalist school” of archeological thought. The other school of thought aligns with the Bible’s description of King David ruling a vast kingdom.

While Garfinkel’s paper appears to support the Bible’s account of King David’s kingdom, the professor said proving the Bible’s accuracy was not the purpose of the study. The scholar acknowledged that there are differing opinions on the usefulness of the Bible, but he argued, “that’s not science; that’s theology.”

“I hate to use the term ‘trying to prove the Bible’ because I’m not trying to prove anything,” Garfinkel told the outlet. “There are biblical traditions, and we can see if these have historical memories or not. … It doesn’t mean that everything, 100 percent, is historical memories. Sometimes there are mistakes. Sometimes there is wishful thinking. Sometimes there is ideology.”

Prof. Aren Maeir of Bar Ilan University believes that Garfinkel’s research is an “oversimplification,” referring to what he described as the paper’s “generalizations” as “problematic.” One of the issues is the controversy about whether Khirbet Qeiyafa was a Judahite or Canaanite city, according to Maeir. While the Bar Illan University professor agrees that historically, King David existed, he does not see enough evidence to determine the size of his kingdom.

“It’s like when a fisherman tells you about the type of fish he caught, and with each story, his arms get wider and wider,” Maeir told TOI. “Is it a sardine, a mackerel, or a blue whale? If you read the biblical text and take it literally, then it’s a blue whale. I think that probably there was a small kingdom in Jerusalem, but we don’t know the influence that this kingdom had.”

“As archaeologists, we take the finds and we try to interpret them as best as we can,” he continued. “Sometimes, interpretations can go a little too far, and I think we all do this. … It’s important to put out the ideas there, even if they’re not accepted. But it’s also important to clarify when things are rock solid and when they’re interpretations.”

In 2005, the late archaeologist Eilat Mazar excavated in the City of David in what is known as the biblical king’s palace. Some of her colleagues disagreed with her interpretation of the structure.

Upon Mazar’s death in May 2021, journalist Etgar Lefkovits at The Jerusalem Post wrote that the archaeologist “pushed ahead undeterred by her critiques, and buoyed by her spirit. She and history were intertwined as one.”

After Mazar discovered the City of David, the archaeologist also found sections of King Solomon’s walls and clay seals belonging to King Hezekiah and possibly the prophet Isaiah.

[Jim W N]

Here you go - thought you might like this. (Note: Revisionists have always tried to cut out anything that has to do with God or Israel.)

World Kingdoms - Brief Timeline History
(Based roughly on Daniel 2.)

1. Egypt (“New Kingdom”) 1550-1100 BC 450 years
2. Israel (from King Saul) 1047-606 BC 441 years
3. Babylon (from Nebuchadnezzar II) 626-539 BC 87 years
4. Media and Persia 539-331 BC 209 years
5. Greece (Alexander the Great) 336-323 BC 13 years
6. Rome 148 BC – 410 AD 558 years
7. Jesus Christ King of kings and Lord of lords Soon 1000 years

[No name given]

And after the Millennial Reign, when satan is thrown into the lake of fire, Jesus Christ will rule for all eternity!

[Jim W N]

Well, yeah. “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and Christ.”

I posted a rough history (and prophecy) of the kingdoms of this current world.

After Christ’s 1000 year reign, the heavens and the earth are toast and Christ’s eternal kingdoms will be over a new heavens and a new earth.

Cheers.

[daniel1212]

Here you go - thought you might like this. (Note: Revisionists have always tried to cut out anything that has to do with God or Israel.)
World Kingdoms - Brief Timeline History (Based roughly on Daniel 2.)
1. Egypt (“New Kingdom”) 1550-1100 BC 450 years
2. Israel (from King Saul) 1047-606 BC 441 years
3. Babylon (from Nebuchadnezzar II) 626-539 BC 87 years
4. Media and Persia 539-331 BC 209 years
5. Greece (Alexander the Great) 336-323 BC 13 years
6. Rome 148 BC – 410 AD 558 years
7. Jesus Christ King of kings and Lord of lords Soon 1000 years

Thanks

[beethovenfan]

Don’t bet against the Bible - you’ll lose every time.

[Jim W N]

You’re welcome and God bless.

[Albion Wilde]

bump

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks nick, nice twofer.

One of *those* topics.

---

join or quit view topics view or post blog bookmark post new topic subscribe

---

[SunkenCiv]

related topics from various keywords, sorted:

• Israel Professor: Discovery of King Hezekiah Inscriptions Among 'Most Important' Archaeological Finds Ever [02/08/2023]
• Archaeologist known for using Bible as historical text dies [Eilat Mazar] [06/01/2021]
• The Other Side of Beth Shemesh: Salvage archaeology exposes deep history of famed Biblical site [06/01/2021]
• Arrowhead from biblical battle discovered in Goliath's hometown [05/29/2021]
• The Last Stand of the Philistines: Archaeologists Find Clue to the Fall of Gath [05/29/2021]
• Stunning views from Goliath's hometown show its ancient strategic importance [05/03/2021]
• Archaeology bombshell: Discovery of 145 human remains that 'solves biggest Bible mystery' [07/31/2020]
• Key site from biblical kings' time unveiled near US Embassy in Jerusalem [07/24/2020]
• Rare figurines uncovered at lost biblical city [04/17/2020]
• Biblical home of the Ark of the Covenant is 'discovered' in a 3,000-year-old temple in Israel that archaeologists believe was 'intentionally desecrated' with animal DUNG by the Philistines [12/19/2019]
• Archaeology, genetics confirm Bible story of Philistines' origins [08/05/2019]
• Archaeologists announce discovery of the biblical city of Ziklag [07/10/2019]
• Scholars say Philistine genes help solve biblical mystery [07/03/2019]
• Watchtower Dating Back to King Hezekiah Uncovered by IDF Paratroopers [06/24/2019]
• Ancient 3,000-year-old tablet suggests Biblical king may have existed [05/10/2019]
• New reading of Mesha Stele could have far-reaching consequences for biblical history [05/02/2019]
• The Last Days of Canaanite Azekah [02/27/2019]
• King Hezekiah in the Bible: Royal Seal of Hezekiah Comes to Light [02/16/2019]
• Israeli Archaeologist Announces Discovery of What May Have Been the Seal of the Prophet Isaiah [02/25/2018]
• Clay print from seal may be first ever extra-biblical reference to the prophet Isaiah [02/25/2018]
• Major biblical discovery: Archaeologists may have found the Prophet Isaiah's 'signature' [02/22/2018]
• Did Archaeologists Just Prove the Existence of Prophet Isaiah? [02/22/2018]
• 1st-Temple-period seal exposed in Kotel Plaza excavations [12/31/2017]
• Finds in Jerusalem shore up biblical account of Babylonian conquest [07/27/2017]
• Archaeologists unearth ancient gate-shrine in Israel [Psalm 85] [09/29/2016]
• 'Solomon's Palace' discovered in Israel, . . . (truncated) [09/04/2016]
• Israel Find May Help Solve Mystery Of Biblical Philistines [07/10/2016]
• Tiny 2,700-year-old royal seal of Judah's king Hezekiah found in ancient rubbish dump in Jerusalem [12/09/2015]
• Seal Connects Hezekiah With Horite Beliefs [12/03/2015]
• Goliath Gates: Entrance to Famous Biblical Metropolis Uncovered [08/05/2015]
• Archaeologists discover humongous gate in Goliath's hometown [08/04/2015]
• Rare King David-Era Inscription Discovered in Biblical City [06/20/2015]
• Israeli archaeologists find 3,000-year-old inscription of name from Bible [Psalms 85] [06/16/2015]
• Biblical Name Eshbaal Found Outside of the Bible [06/09/2015]
• Israel: Biblical Libnah Iron Age settlement from Kingdom of Judah 'found' in Tel Burna [03/04/2015]
• Turkish & Italian Archaeologists Dig at Karkemish [11/24/2014]
• Ancient City Discovered Beneath Biblical-Era Ruins in Israel [11/18/2013]
• Archaeologists say they uncovered King David's Palace [07/19/2013]
• 3,000-year-old artifacts fuel Biblical archaeology debate [05/08/2012]
• 3,000-year-old altar uncovered at Philistine site suggests cultural links to Jews [07/29/2011]
• In Israel, Diggers Unearth The Bible's Bad Guys [07/10/2011]
• Diggers Unearth Philistines Remains in Israel, Providing scholars with clues to the Bible's bad guys [07/09/2011]
• In Israel, diggers unearth the Bible's bad guys [07/08/2011]
• David and Solomon [11/15/2010]
• Philistine Temple Ruins Uncovered in Goliath's Hometown [07/30/2010]
• Archaeologists Uncover Goliath's Hometown [07/14/2010]
• Dig Backs Biblical Account Of Philistine City Of Gat [08/14/2005]
• Royal Seal Unearthed In City Of David [08/02/2005]

  ---

• EU rebuffs idea of recognizing Jerusalem as Netanyahu visits [12/11/2017]
• US criticism of Israel reaches boiling point [01/18/2016]
• Obama's Middle East Map Erases Israeli Territory: [03/18/2013]
• UN Hosts Art Depicting Palestine as All of Israel [12/10/2012]

[BenLurkin]

https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/romans/silver-medal-featuring-winged-medusa-discovered-at-roman-fort-near-hadrians-wall

[SunkenCiv]

There’s been a lot of recent Roman stuff, I’ve managed to ping existing history (including some modern history) topics instead, mainly because I’ve been lazy, er, busy. Both really.

[SunkenCiv]

https://freerepublic.com/focus/chat/4164970/posts?page=10#10

https://freerepublic.com/focus/chat/4161727/posts?page=2#2

https://freerepublic.com/focus/chat/4159866/posts?page=17#17