David’s Jerusalem CONTINUED and Solomon’s Jerusalem: Lectures 3.3 and 4.1 - January 18, 2011

David’s Jerusalem           

At last, it is during this lecture that David’s rule is covered and his role in Jerusalem. The primary topic of discussion was 2 Samuel 7 – The Promise to David. This biblical text depicts David’s interaction with the Lord regarding the building of a Temple and how this resulted in the establishment of God’s Promise to David. Initially, David shares that he wants to build a Temple around the Ark of the Covenant to be God’s House, but God rejects this offer and instead insists that he will build David a House and that David’s son will build him a house. In addition to building David a house, God makes two promises: that David’s legacy will be carried out by his sons and that his kingdom would be established forever. Though this promise would eventually be broken and the Davidic line eventually would come to an end, this is all further proof of where Jerusalem derives its sacredness from.            

Solomon’s Jerusalem

            The focus of this lecture is Solomon’s Jerusalem and the lack of archaeological evidence for the first temple because in ancient times, they packed down, tel, and rebuilt on top so any remains are buried and impossible to find. A lot of scholars who argue different views based on biblical texts and archaeological evidence claim David and Solomon did exist, but they were not as opulent as the Bible makes them out to be. Biblical literature, specifically 1 Kings 8: 12-21, shows that Solomon builds a house for the Ark, the Temple, which is a physical representation of the presence and existence of God. However, the Stepped Stone Structure/Millo are fragmentary evidence that could have potentially been the foundation for David’s palace. In 1 Kings 6-7 Solomon’s Temple is depicted to have two pillars, Boaz and Jachin, as well as a back room known as the Holy of Holies where the Ark was kept and other details that were unique to the temple. Archaeological evidence has been found from the same time period that serves as comparative evidence for the existence of Solomon’s Temple. Arad, Tel Ta’yinat, and ‘Ain Dara are all Temples from the same area which have characteristics that are just like the ones described of the Solomonic Temple.