For many years some critics have asserted that many biblical figures, including
King David, are nothing more than myth. But in 1993 a dramatic find forced
Bible critics to retreat. A team of archaeologists digging in northern Galilee "found
a remarkable inscription from the ninth century B.C.E. [Before the Common
Era] that refers both to the 'House of David' and to the 'King of Israel'" ("'David'
Found at Dan," Biblical Archaeology Review, March-April 1994, p.
26).
This discovery was sensational enough to make the front page of The
New York Times. The inscription also shows that Israel and Judah
were important kingdoms in the ninth century B.C., disproving the position
of scholars who claimed Israel and Judah were never nations of significance
and even disputed that there had ever been a united monarchy under David.
Although this is one more piece of evidence that refutes the arguments
of those who have rejected biblical history, we must realize it is impossible
to verify every biblical event through archaeology. Much of the original
evidence no longer exists. Many perishable materials have long since disappeared.
Looking for physical evidence of a particular person is like looking for
a needle in an enormous haystack.
In spite of these difficulties, David joins many other kings of Israel
and Judah whose names were recorded in inscriptions of neighboring nations—among
them Ahab, Ahaz, Hezekiah, Hoshea, Jehoiachin, Jehu, Manasseh, Menehem,
Omri, Pekah and Uzziah.
We must keep in mind the relatively small amount of the archaeological
record that scientists have uncovered. Excavations will, without a doubt,
continue to uphold the events of the Bible. In spite of the relative paucity
of evidence that has been uncovered, that which has been found has supported
the Bible.
