KING SOLOMON’S WALL FOUND
DOES ARCHAEOLOGY SUPPORT THE BIBLICAL ACCOUNT OF SOLOMON’S JERUSALEM?
By Simon Brown
Here is another fascinating archaeological discovery from Jerusalem that takes us directly into the period traditionally associated with King Solomon, son of King David.
The Bible describes Solomon as ruling from Jerusalem during the tenth century BC and undertaking major construction projects within the city.
But is there archaeological evidence from Jerusalem dating to this period?
In 2010, archaeologist Eilat Mazar announced the excavation of a substantial section of ancient fortifications in Jerusalem which she dated to approximately the tenth century BC.
The discovery attracted worldwide attention because Mazar argued that the fortifications could be connected with the building activities of:
KING SOLOMON.
A 3,000-YEAR-OLD DEFENSIVE COMPLEX
The excavations uncovered part of an ancient defensive complex on the eastern side of ancient Jerusalem, in the area of the Ophel, between the City of David and the Temple Mount.
The remains included a substantial wall together with associated structures.
Among the discoveries were:
A large section of defensive wall
A monumental gatehouse
An adjacent royal/public building
Pottery and other archaeological remains
The dating was particularly important.
Mazar and her team associated pottery recovered from the excavation with the second half of the tenth century BC.
That places the remains within the period traditionally associated with the reign of:
KING SOLOMON.
WHY IS THIS SO INTERESTING FOR BIBLE STUDENTS?
Because the Bible specifically describes Solomon undertaking major building and fortification projects in Jerusalem.
First Kings records:
“And this is the account of the forced labor that King Solomon raised to build the house of Yahweh, and his own house, and the Millo, and the wall of Jerusalem…”
— 1 Kings 9:15, BLB
Notice that carefully.
The biblical writer specifically associates Solomon with:
THE WALL OF JERUSALEM.
Now archaeology has uncovered substantial fortifications in Jerusalem that their excavator dated to the same general period traditionally associated with Solomon.
That is certainly worthy of investigation.
DID ARCHAEOLOGISTS ACTUALLY FIND “SOLOMON’S WALL”?
Here we need to distinguish the archaeological evidence from its historical interpretation.
Archaeologists did not uncover an inscription saying:
“THIS WALL WAS BUILT BY KING SOLOMON.”
Therefore, we cannot scientifically identify the builder simply from the wall itself.
What was discovered was an impressive fortification complex that Eilat Mazar dated to the tenth century BC and interpreted as fitting the biblical description of construction undertaken during Solomon's reign.
Mazar argued that the size and sophistication of the complex indicated the presence of a strong centralized government capable of undertaking substantial public construction.
She believed the biblical account provided a compelling historical explanation:
THE KINGDOM OF SOLOMON.
ARCHAEOLOGY AND THE BIBLE
This is where biblical archaeology becomes particularly fascinating.
The Bible says Solomon ruled from Jerusalem.
The Bible describes extensive construction during his reign.
The Bible specifically mentions:
“THE WALL OF JERUSALEM.”
And archaeologists have uncovered major fortifications in Jerusalem which their excavator dated to approximately the period traditionally associated with Solomon.
Does that prove every story told about Solomon?
No.
But neither should the archaeological evidence simply be ignored.
It provides physical evidence that can be compared directly with the historical claims contained in Scripture.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE POTTERY
Archaeologists often use pottery to help date ancient occupation layers and structures.
Ceramic remains recovered during these excavations were important to Mazar's dating of the fortification complex.
She placed the pottery assemblage in the latter part of the tenth century BC.
If that dating and the association between the pottery and construction are correct, then the fortifications belong remarkably close to the traditional biblical chronology of Solomon.
This is why the discovery generated such enormous interest.
THE BIBLE DESCRIBES A BUILDING KING
Solomon is repeatedly presented in Scripture as a great builder.
He constructed:
THE TEMPLE OF YAHWEH
THE KING'S PALACE
FORTIFICATIONS
and other major projects.
First Kings 9:15 even names several of Solomon's building projects:
“…the house of Yahweh, and his own house, and the Millo, and the wall of Jerusalem, and Hazor, and Megiddo, and Gezer.”
The archaeological debate therefore concerns something that the Bible itself specifically claims occurred.
DOES THIS PROVE KING SOLOMON EXISTED?
The fortification alone cannot prove that Solomon personally ordered its construction.
That would require evidence identifying Solomon directly with the structure.
And archaeologists continue to debate the chronology, interpretation and extent of Jerusalem during the tenth century BC.
But the discovery is nevertheless highly relevant to the debate.
It provides archaeological remains of substantial construction in ancient Jerusalem that have been dated by the excavator to the period in which the Bible places David and Solomon.
That deserves serious consideration.
DON'T EXAGGERATE THE EVIDENCE — INVESTIGATE IT
When discussing biblical archaeology, we don't need to claim more than archaeology can actually demonstrate.
The genuine evidence is fascinating enough.
The important facts are:
Ancient fortifications were excavated in Jerusalem.
Eilat Mazar dated them to approximately the tenth century BC.
She interpreted them as potentially belonging to the building program of Solomon.
And:
The Bible independently describes Solomon building and strengthening Jerusalem's wall.
That creates an intriguing correspondence between archaeology and the biblical account.
KING SOLOMON’S WALL?
HAVE ARCHAEOLOGISTS DISCOVERED PART OF THE JERUSALEM FORTIFICATIONS DESCRIBED IN 1 KINGS 9:15?
Eilat Mazar believed the evidence pointed strongly in that direction.
Other archaeologists have challenged aspects of the dating and interpretation.
So rather than hiding that debate, we should examine it.
Look at the archaeology.
Look at the pottery.
Look at the chronology.
Read the arguments from both sides.
Then compare everything with the biblical account.
That is how serious Bible archaeology should be approached.
ANOTHER REMARKABLE DISCOVERY FROM THE WORLD OF THE BIBLE
Approximately three thousand years after the period traditionally associated with Solomon, ancient walls still stand beneath Jerusalem.
The Bible tells us:
“…King Solomon raised [labor] to build…the wall of Jerusalem…”
— 1 Kings 9:15, BLB
Archaeology has uncovered fortifications dating, according to their excavator, to that same general period.
Is this part of the wall constructed during Solomon's reign?
The evidence deserves investigation.
SEARCH THE ARCHAEOLOGY.
COMPARE THE HISTORY.
READ THE BIBLE.
AND EXAMINE THE EVIDENCE FOR YOURSELF.
Research by Simon Brown
wwwrealdiscoveriesorg-simon.blogspot.com
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