Archaeological excavations not far from Jerusalem are confirming the historical site for one of the earliest periods of Israel’s history.
The site is Khirbet Qeiyafa and it is located just a day’s walk from Jerusalem at the Elah Valley. The ruins had been overlooked by archaeologists until a series of excavations from 2007 to 2013 brought to light a tangible connection to the time of King Saul and King David.
This early period of Israel’s monarchy has often been dismissed as a matter of fiction. The people of Israel at this time are portrayed as a loose confederation of tribes and David, if he existed at all, a mere local chieftain. Khirbet Qeiyafa is overturning such a view and giving fresh grounds to trust the biblical record.
