Folia Theologica 16. (2005)

Solomon Pasala: Archaeological Evidences for Solomonic period

FOLIA THEOLOGICA 16 (2005)

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Solomon PASALA

ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVIDENCES FOR SOLOMONIC PERIOD

Introduction

The Bible depicts Solomon's reign as a "golden age" of Israelite and Judean history. It came to be regarded as the epitome of splendor, opulence and wise government (Lk 12/27). But when one hears that there is no archeological evidence for the Solomonic period, it would be a shock. One gets impression that the Bible is speaking about a mythological person who never existed.

It is to this question that we would like give our attention in this essay. We shall discuss the matter in two parts. In the first part we will deal with the Biblical aspect of the Solomonic period, and in the second part, the archeological excavations and different interpretations of these excavations. Finally, we shall give our evaluation and conclusion to the problem.

1. Biblical evidence for the Solomonic Period

The Bible depicted Solomon as exceedingly wise, exceptionally wealthy, and an extremely powerful ruler whose empire stretched from the River Euphrates to the Egyptian frontiers (1 kg 4/21). But, at the same time, it also presented the negative side of the Solomonic period, for example the supposedly rich King had a problem, which required conceding 20 cities in Galilee to a Phoenician King (I Kgs 9/10-14). The powerful king, who ruled from the Euphrates to Egypt, was troubled by adversaries (I Kgs 11/14-40). Supposedly the Wise Solomon, so exploited his people through forced labor and other despotic practices that the bulk of his kingdom, especially the northern kingdom, wanted to break away after his death (I Kgs 12/1-20).

We need to give a closer attention to what the Bible says. For this reason we shall consider the material concerning King Solomon