The Kingdom of Judah in Archaeology

There was a time when even unbelievers had some respect for the Bible, and this included archaeology. As a science, archaeology is about 150 years old, with precursors such as collecting antiquities going back further.

It is obviously a forensic science. Scoffers freely use arguments from silence to reject the Bible, claiming that since something was not verified by archaeologists, biblical history must be wrong. That is galactically absurd. Others use the genetic fallacy and assume the historical records of the Bible must be wrong.

Lachish Front Gate, Wikimedia Commons / Wilson44691 (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Although the Bible has been proven right time and again, people still look for excuses to dispute its accuracy. One tinhorn disparaged the city of Jerusalem and armies of King David as small and insignificant. Because reasons and stuff. He shouldn't get ultracrepidarian, as those folks have been surprised when their presumptions have been upstaged by reality (see "Ancient Israeli City Surprises Experts" for one example.) Archaeology has many obstacles to overcome when obtaining and interpreting useful material.

First and most obvious is that stuff is mighty old. There are disagreements between Carbon-14 and eyewitness historical records regarding Viking bones in England around 873 AD; excavating Israel and Judah has archaeologists looking for things a couple of thousand years older than that.

Another fact to consider is that there are layers, not just brushing sand and dirt off foundations and such. Get one figured out, then realize that it's been built on another city or something.

Then we have the fact that people are living on ancient sites: "Excuse us, Ma'am, we'd be much obliged if you'd move your stuff over yonder for a few years while we dig things up here."

There are lots of things to find over large areas that are very old, hidden, and often broken.

However, naysayers are finding out there isn't so much to say nay about after all. In this case, we're discussing the Kingdom of Judah, and once again, the Bible is being vindicated. Of interest to those of us who believe in creation is that David was an ancestor of Jesus — and Jesus is the last Adam. Also, David had several prophecies about the Christ. No wonder misotheists want David negated!

During the past 14 years (2007–2021), archaeological digs have taken place at four separate sites in the Judean foothills: Khirbet Qeiyafa (biblical Sha’arayim, mentioned in 1 Samuel 17:52 and 1 Chronicles 4:31), Khirbet el-Ra’I (biblical Ziklag, mentioned as being in southern Judah in Joshua 15:31), Socoh (Joshua 15:31), and Lachish (mentioned as being in southern Judah in Joshua 15:31). As cities mentioned in Scripture in the southern part of Israel (and during the divided monarchy, Judah) at the western border with the Philistines, they should be expected to have been fortified cities, with walls and gates.

To dig up the rest of the article, venture forth to "Archaeological Evidence for the Kingdom of Judah."