Why Another History of Israel? The Reign of David

Today is release day for A History of Ancient Israel! We are excited to see it available for many friends, colleagues, and students who have encouraged us over the years we’ve researched and written. Last week I began a series to help readers see why Michael Grisanti and I wrote this book. In the previous post, I looked at David’s rise to the throne in order to answer this question: What does a careful study of archaeology, geography, and chronology reveal that readers commonly overlook in familiar biblical accounts? Today I want to do that for David’s reign. One of the most significant events of David’s life was his capture of Jerusalem. History would never be the same. In considering this event, I explore: how David’s interest in Jerusalem contrasts sharply with Saul’s disinterest the importance of Jerusalem’s geographical setting the water system that Joab may have used Bible readers can easily overlook the details of how David administered his kingdom. But there are a number of interesting matters that I investigate, including: how the list of royal supervisors named in the Bible provides insight into David’s expanding kingdom why David was not—and could not have been—a priest ...