Geographical and Archaeological Considerations for David and Goliath

This lecture examines the account of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17) through the lenses of historical geography and archaeology, with particular attention to the longstanding questions of historicity raised by critical scholarship. Many scholars have noted tensions within the biblical text, including apparent duplications, literary stratification, and chronological challenges, leading some to interpret the narrative as a later ideological construction rather than a strictly historical report.

Against this backdrop, the lecture situates the story within the Elah Valley, analyzing its strategic significance along the borderlands between Judah and Philistia. Special focus is given to archaeological discoveries at Khirbet Qeiyafa, a fortified site dated to the late 11th–early 10th century BCE. Excavations there have revealed urban planning, fortifications, and material culture consistent with a centralized polity emerging in Judah during the period traditionally associated with David. While not providing direct evidence of the biblical duel, these findings contribute to the broader debate by suggesting a sociopolitical context in which such narratives could plausibly arise. The lecture ultimately argues for a nuanced approach that integrates textual criticism, geography, and archaeology in reassessing the historical framework of the David and Goliath tradition.

Lecturer Bio: Dr. Oliver Hersey serves as the eleventh president of Jerusalem University College. Having been shaped by his own experiences in the Holy Land, Dr. Hersey desires to help students better understand the Bible by providing them with opportunities to study in Israel the geographical, cultural, and historical contexts of God’s Word. With over 20 years of combined experience in fields related to education, research, pastoring, coaching and management, Dr. Hersey is driven to help grow both people and organizations for service in God’s kingdom. Dr. Hersey earned his B.A. in Secondary Education: Mathematics and Spanish from Calvin College; his M.A. in Biblical Archaeology and Ancient Near Eastern Languages (Summa Cum Laude) from Trinity International University; and his Ph.D. in Theological Studies: Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern History and Languages from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

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