2006-12-13 03:34:28 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
Neither.
First of all, they are not myth. Not only is there archeological evidence as some other answers have attested, but the Bible records their kingdom and their deeds. (Even for those who don't believe in God or the Bible, to be fair, you still need to put it on an equal plane with other historical books.)
Secondly, if you regard "statehood" as a piece of land ruled over by a person or people, then the kingdom began one king earlier with Saul. However, Israel had existed as a theocracy (ruled by God) for many years following their conquest of Canaan. God sent judges to correct and rebuke his people at times. This would push the time of the Israelite state back about 400 years.
Finally, you could also regard Israel as a "state" even before they lived in the land. The nation was really based on God's promises to Abraham, and many of those promises were carried out as his descendants multiplied in Egypt before being led to the promised land by Moses.
2006-12-13 04:37:30 · answer #1 · answered by Pastor P 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. Statehood is a modern concept of a sovereign nation. The Kingdom of David and Solomon according to biblical history encompassed the 12 tribes of Israel. (see the Book of Kings I & II) This is where they originated from as a State of tribes: Judah, Levi, Simeon, Benjamin, Reuben, Gad, etc. After the death of King Solomon, the kingdom was divided - Israel became 10 tribes and the house of David became 2 tribes. But the Nation remained intact until the invasion of Babylon. But an invasion of any of the tribal lands (in the days of King David or Solomon) would have meant an invasion of King David's land. But the facts are real as King Nebuchadnezzar was. King Solomon's most revered decendent (a product of himself and the 'Queen of Sheba') Haile Selassie of Eithiopia, is still reverred today in many religious beliefs too.
There are even facts that show that Hebrews (term used to describe anient Israelites) dwelled in Eithiopia and became a part of this nation's indigineous populations. Israel was not recognized as a state until 1948.
2006-12-13 12:47:56 · answer #2 · answered by Krumah 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That part of the Bible is historical, it is backed up by the records of many contemporary civilisations and also by the archaeological rec cord.
The Hebrew Kings Saul, David and Solomon reigned in the period 1020BC - 930BC. Their reigns marked the most successful phase of the Hebrew Kingdoms.
There is significant historical and archaeological evidence of these kings and their rules.
For example the Egyptian records mention King Solomon entering an alliance with Pharaoh Horemhab and later Seti I. He built the first temple in Jerusalem which was destroyed by the Babylonians - this event was recorded by the Babylonians themselves.
2006-12-13 11:42:53 · answer #3 · answered by monkeymanelvis 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
soloman might be a myth, i don't think anyone has ever recovered anything from that time (i might be wrong)
but david was real, and it wasn't a statehood. natiions didn't exist the way they exist today. in fact the idea of nationhood really only started about 200 years ago,
2006-12-13 11:38:50 · answer #4 · answered by evilmonkeyboy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
David's writings exist. Solomon's "songs' and mines exist. The original kingdom of Israel was long ago taken over by other peoples but we have records what occurred in those times in the old testaments and other historical documents. The Dead Sea scrolls give a lot of info on biblical figures.
2006-12-13 11:43:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
It was real ,see the Bible , Talmud ,and the jewish historian Joephus
2006-12-13 12:47:03 · answer #6 · answered by leonard c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it's the real McCoy.!!!
2006-12-13 11:42:45 · answer #7 · answered by JAM123 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
no it's not a myth
2006-12-13 11:36:14 · answer #8 · answered by jelliebabe7 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋