Adventist University Findings on David and Goliath Displayed in Washington

By: Janell Hullquist, Southern Adventist University

The findings of archaeology students and professors of Southern Adventist University, a Seventh-day Adventist school in Collegedale, Tennessee, United States, are currently on display at the brand-new Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. The special temporary exhibit, titled “In the Valley of David and Goliath,” focuses on the groundbreaking contributions of the Khirbet Qeiyafa Archaeological Project. Co-sponsored by the Institute of Archaeology at Southern Adventist University and the Institute of Archaeology at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the project took place from 2007-2013 at the ancient fortified garrison city on the border between Judah and Philistia, southwest of Jerusalem.

Khirbet Qeiyafa overlooks the Elah Valley, the setting of the biblical account of David and Goliath.

“Based on the extensive data from the excavation project, we believe that Khirbet Qeiyafa may be ancient Shaaraim mentioned in 1 Samuel 17:52 within the context of that story,” said Michael G. Hasel, director of Southern’s Institute of Archaeology and a director of the project. “The site dates back to the time of Saul and David and the two gates at the site match the biblical name of Shaaraim, which means ‘two gates’ in Hebrew.”

In 2008, the oldest Hebrew inscription was found at Khirbet Qeiyafa; in 2013, another inscription was found at the site, dating to the 10th century B.C. and mentioning the name “Ishbaal,” the same name as one of Saul’s sons. Both discoveries made international headlines and are featured in the Museum of the Bible, among other pieces that the team uncovered during the course of the project.

“The significance of these inscriptions cannot be underestimated,” Hasel said. “They show that literacy was well established by the early 10th century, the time of Judah’s first kings. David could indeed have written the Psalms that are attributed to him.”

The Museum of the Bible is located in the heart of Washington, D.C., near Capitol Hill, the Smithsonian Institution, and the National Mall.

According to Hasel, “It will be a landmark institution in the capital of the United States where millions of visitors can benefit from its holdings.”