The History of Israel — Or: Twos into One Won't Go

Abstract

The key to understanding the history of Israel is to ask the right questions of the texts in the Bible that cover the relevant periods. It needs to be recognized that these are not continuous narratives of comprehensive and complete history, but rather, they report significant episodes at various moments in Israel's past. Although the evidence is not complete, this does not mean it is devoid of historical value. While there are many theological perspectives that pervade the surviving written sources, these are not necessarily antithetical to historical reliability. The basic historical framework that the Bible provides for Israelite history should not be cast aside in favour of sensational and counterintuitive readings.