Lectures - The Myth of David's Kingdom

The Biblical account describes David ruling over a united Israelite kingdom that included not only his native Judah, but also the ten tribes of the northern kingdom of Israel. The Bible further claims that David and his successor Solomon built a vast empire stretching from the Sinai to the Euphrates. Archaeological research since the 20th century has shown that this empire’s capital, Jerusalem, was merely a small hill village at the time these events purportedly occurred. Nevertheless, discoveries like the Tel Dan Stele provide extra-Biblical evidence for the historical existence of a “House of David” dynasty shortly after this period. In this presentation, John Hamer of Toronto Centre Place will lay out the Biblical and extra-biblical sources that suggest a powerful Iron Age kingdom of Israel existed, alongside archaeological and textual evidence showing that Judah in the south and Israel in the north developed independently. We will examine how the legend of a United Monarchy under David arose much later as part of Israel's post-Babylonian exile identity, tied to emerging messianic hopes. 📚 Browse our catalogue of free lectures at https://www.centreplace.ca/lectures Your generous support allows us to offer these lectures at no cost. Please consider a making donation (tax deductible in the US and Canada): ❤️ https://www.centreplace.ca/donate ️ #lecture #christianity #judaism #bible #biblestudy