For many years it has been fashionable to deny the historicity of the earlier periods of Old Testament history.
In particular, the period of a united monarchy, Saul, Solomon and David, has been dismissed as the stuff of legend. While there has been circumstantial evidence for a centralised administration in the land of Judah and Israel there have been arguments over the dating of the various locations, and sceptical scholars could point to a lack of inscriptions with the names of such kings.
David’s standing stone
This began to change in 1993 with the discovery of the first part of the Tel Dan stela. This fragment of a standing stone was the earliest direct reference to the dynasty of King David, from outside of the Bible.
Dating to a century after his reign it was clear evidence for the historicity of this biblical character. Since its discovery the sceptics have moved the goal posts. The problem is not now the existence of David but the extent of his kingdom. Was he more a local chieftain than a significant monarch? The problem has also been pushed backwards, what about Saul? And what evidence is there for the later period of King Solomon?
Solomon’s military gateways
The primary evidence for a monarchy under Solomon is found in monumental architecture, particularly comparable military gateways found at various sites in Biblical Israel. These imply a central administration, common planning and economic wealth in the period of Solomon.
While one ‘minimalist’ scholar, Israel Finkelstein, has continued to doubt that some of these remains date to the time of Solomon many leading archaeologists in the field remain persuaded.
But archaeology is of course a work in progress. The exciting thing is that, as time passes, more positive evidence emerges and the sceptics are continually on the back foot. Some of the latest intriguing discoveries are emerging at Khirbet Qeiyafa which may shed light on the very beginning of the Israelite monarchy.
An absence of pig bones
Khirbet Qeiyafa was only excavated in 2007. Situated twenty miles from Jerusalem it has turned out to be a very ancient Judahite town or fortress. Various forms of dating, including carbon dating of olive pits, provide a date c.1050-970 BC. This is the period when Saul and David were reigning. The city is evidence for the early period of a united monarchy.
Initially, sceptical attempts were made to dismiss the location as a Philistine settlement but, unlike Philistine towns, not a single pig bone has been found at Khirbet Qeiyafa. This is clear evidence that this is a Judahite town and the signs are that it was part of the new, centralised state of Israel’s monarchy.
Reference to Saul?
In the second year of excavation a pottery shard (ostracon) was found possibly bearing one of the earliest Hebrew inscriptions ever found. Though fragmentary it seems to make reference to God (El) and to the right treatment of widow, slave, alien and orphan. Some scholars also understand it to make reference to the appointment of a King. This could be the first reference to King Saul from outside the Bible.
At present, the interpretation of the ostracon remains disputed – Alan Millard suggests it may be nothing more than a list of personal names by someone unused to writing. But it does fit with the period with which we are concerned and may yet encourage the sceptics to choose new goalposts!
