Did King David even exist, let alone his fabled son, the wise King Solomon? And if they existed, did they rule over a powerful, united Jewish kingdom with its capital in Jerusalem? read more
So basically, if even Finkelstein has to concede the point, the debate is pretty much over. David did exist, he was a king of Judah, and he did found a dynasty. That said, as others have noted, it would be a mistake to conclude from this that the Biblical accounts of his life are historically accurate. read more
The lack of remains from the site known as the"City of David" that can be confidently connected with the time of David (ca. 1000 B.C.E.) should not be seen as decisive evidence that he didn't exist, for several reasons. read more
Archaeologist Yosef Garfinkel of the Hebrew University has been postulating for some years that Khirbet Qeiyafa is that very thing - some believe the edifice was even the palace of King David himself. read more