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  3. The Bible's First Kings
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  • Publisher:
    Cambridge University Press
    Publication date:
    January 2025
    February 2025
    ISBN:
    9781009526364
    9781009526333
    DOI:
    https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009526364
    Dimensions:
    (229 x 152 mm)
    Weight & Pages:
    0.84kg, 464 Pages
    Dimensions:
    Weight & Pages:
    • Subjects:
    Biblical Studies - Old Testament, Hebrew Bible, Religion
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    Subjects:
    Biblical Studies - Old Testament, Hebrew Bible, Religion
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    Book description

    Saul, David, and Solomon are dominant figures in the Hebrew Bible, rulers of an expanding Israelite polity before it dissolved into two separate kingdoms. Saul's paranoid jealousy, David's killing the Philistine champion Goliath with a slingshot, and Solomon's meeting the Queen of Sheba are familiar stories to many people, but what is the truth behind the texts? While scholars long believed these three monarchs to have been historical personalities, over the past three decades many have questioned the historicity of this United Monarchy, some doubting even the existence of its founding fathers. Building on a vast amount of archaeological evidence, this book robustly argues that the Israelite kingdom of the Bible was a real mini-empire, and that Saul, David, and Solomon were kings of consequence – even if the biblical stories reimagine their lives to glorify and vilify them. Combining fresh archaeological evidence with astute readings of key texts, the authors offer a compelling reconstruction of this fascinating ancient polity which, though it lasted less than a hundred years, has bequeathed a remarkable religious and cultural legacy to the western world. Written in a clear and engaging style, this book will be of interest to scholars and general audiences alike.

    Reviews

    ‘Faust and Farber’s impressive monograph is certain to become a very influential work about the origins, growth and collapse of this monarchy.’

    David Rodman Source: Israel Affairs

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