Lecture 4

We began by discussing the possibly existence of David by first looking at the Tel-Dan inscription, which makes mention of a house of David.  This tells us that hundreds of years before the inscription was made, there was in fact a group that called themselves the house of david, referring to themselves either as david or somehow associated with the name.

We then discussed Warren's shaft, which could never have been used for water.  This shaft leads up near the Gihon Spring, but could actually be a naturally made tunnel, not manmade.  We then discussed the Tsinnor, which is a reference water shaft that could be actually referring to Warren's shaft, or another tunnel.

We then talked about the anointing of Solomon, and of a King in general.  To anoint, the would-be king must ride on a donkey to the Gihon Spring.  We see this in some biblical passages.  We also see a passage in which Jesus is mocking as a king, riding a donkey and going to an area that we geographically know to be the Gihon Spring.

We then discussed the inscription in Hezekiah's tunnel, demonstrating that this tunnel was actually made by hand, which goes along with the myth behind it.

Lastly we spoke about the Ark of the Covenant, which is a wood box covered in gold with depictions of Cherubims, which are creatures meant to protect the ends of an opening such as a gate or box.  We were exposed to different stories that refer to the ark, and how it has had its mark on the bible and in historical context with its placing inside the Temple.