Episode Eleven: The Earliest David

Conversations in the Archaeology and History of Ancient Israel with Israel Finkelstein
Episode Eleven: The Earliest David
Israel Finkelstein is a leading figure in the archaeology and history of Ancient Israel. Over 40 years of work and research, he has helped to change the way archaeology is conducted, the bible is interpreted, and the history of Israel is reconstructed. Matthew J. Adams, Director of the W.F. Albright Institute of Archaeological Research in Jerusalem, sat down with Israel over several sessions to talk about how a lifetime of work has informed the story of Ancient Israel. These conversations became the series Conversations in the Archaeology and History of Ancient Israel with Israel Finkelstein.
Written and Produced by Israel Finkelstein and Matthew J. Adams.
Cinematography and Editing by Yuval Pan.
Conversations in the Archaeology and History of Ancient Israel with Israel Finkelstein is made possible with a grant from the Shmunis Family Foundation.

[@robertpoppe5177]

Thank you Israel Finkelstein and Matthew J. Adams for this wonderful series. I can't wait for the next episode.

[@br1qbat]

Absolutely marvelous series of videos.

[@brettblwanderings]

Extremely interesting and thank you . I have both The Bible Unearthed and David and Solomon . Absolutely fascinating .

[@Achill101]

First, thank you for continuing the series. I was happy to see episode 11 appearing today. @7:27 - I wouldn't call Rost's argument circular, about the existence of scribes at Salomon's court, but would call it inner consistency of the texts. If Salomon's court would be described as a moving tent city, that could be an argument AGAINST an early early writing of the text, but the text mentioning scribes cannot add new evidence to support an early writing. (Like we consider the admission of an accused to be evidence of his guilt but consider his claim not to have been at the crime scene only hearsay.) @9:55 - yes, yes, yes. Please devote an entire session to writing in ancient Israel. I think I asked before in the comments of another episode of what the evidence is for NOT having elaborate texts written in the 10. century BC, but an episode focusing on writing would even be better. . . . If I may add my motivation for following the series. It is to understand the biblical texts better, to know what we read in church. The political history is invaluable to understand how the bible developed and was WRITTEN, but my interest in the actual machinations in the small kingdoms ground down between Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon is limited.

[@jcw8964]

My question is: no matter whether David or Solomon existed historically, did a United Monarchy exist during their supposed reigning period? If yes, where is the base or capital? Thirst were not directly answered. The impression is that though there were interactions between the two branches, but the development of the north was mostly continuous down the Saul line, though different dynasties.