1/18/11 Lecture 5

In yesterdays quick lecture we discussed David’s Jerusalem, the excavation of the city and the Ark of the Covenant.

Scholars used to question whether David really existed. The Bible describes him in great detail but until recently there was no archeological evidence that David existed. The Tel Dan Inscription was the first non-biblical reference we have seen to David. The inscription is kind of like an execration text but instead of cursing their enemies they would brag again enemies they had conquered. The Tel Dan inscription lists the House of David as a nation that had been conquered.

Later on we looked at Warren’s Shaft and its excavation. When it was originally discovered, archeologists believes that it was a man made shaft to get easier access to water. Today they are starting to think that it is natural and they may have carved certain parts of it. There is a reference to the shaft in 2 Samuel that indicates it may have been used to get water to the city. The shaft also may have been a weak point during attack where enemy soldiers could climb up and into the city. 

As class came to a close we discussed the Ark of the Covenant, how it was built, and the founding of the temple.