King David Enters History
King David Enters History
Up till 30 years ago, no empirical proof existed of King David’s existence in history. Then in 1993, a stele was discovered during excavations of the ancient Tel Dan, in northern Israel.
The Tel Dan Stele contains the first extra-biblical reference to the Davidic Dynasty and can be viewed today in the Israel Museum. It is a fragment of a victory stele created by Hazael, king of Aram, and it reads as follows:
"...I slew seventy kings...I killed Jehoram son of Ahab king of Israel, and I killed Ahaziahu son of Jehoram king of the House of David..."
Overview
The Tel Dan Stele contains the first extra-biblical reference to the Davidic Dynasty. It is a fragment of a victory stele erected by Hazael, king of Aram.
"...I slew seventy kings...I killed Jehoram son of Ahab king of Israel, and I killed Ahaziahu son of Jehoram king of the House of David..."