Kingdom of Israel (united monarchy) (jan 1, 1047 BC – jan 1, 930 BC)

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The existence of a United Monarchy under Saul, David, and Solomon, as described in the Hebrew Bible, is a subject of scholarly debate. While some archaeologists and historians support the historicity of this monarchy, which is traditionally dated between c. 1047 BCE and c. 930 BCE, others suggest it might be a later literary construct rather than historical reality.

In the 1990s, archaeologist Israel Finkelstein proposed a Low Chronology, pushing the dates of what has been considered evidence of a United Monarchy back to the 9th century BCE, suggesting no substantial centralized kingdom under Saul, David, and Solomon but rather a collection of tribal chiefdoms. His views have been contested by Amihai Mazar, who supports a Modified Conventional Chronology placing the Iron IIA period in the early 10th century BCE, aligning with the traditional dates for Saul, David, and Solomon.

Recent discoveries by archaeologists like Eilat Mazar at Jerusalem and Yosef Garfinkel at Khirbet Qeiyafa have provided evidence that some argue supports the existence of a significant political entity in the 10th century BCE. However, interpretations and the implications of these findings are widely debated.

Ultimately, while there is evidence suggestive of significant development during the 10th century BCE, the exact nature and extent of the United Monarchy as described in biblical texts remain subjects of ongoing academic research and debate.

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