The Debate about the United Monarchy in Its Academic Context and in Israeli Public Discourse

The historicity of Saul, David, and Solomon has been fiercely debated among scholars over the past 30 years and has often garnered media attention, influencing the public imagination. The cultural significance of these figures, their religious importance for some, and, in Israel, perhaps also the possible political implications of the debate, contribute to public interest. The article does not address the historical questions in this context, but rather reviews the dynamics of the scholarly discourse, focusing on how this debate is positioned within the social context in Israel and within its broader academic framework. While the political implications of this discussion are clear and naturally influence the related discourse, the article explains that this is only part of a greater picture, and that both scholars and the public are capable of accommodating conflicting messages. As it suggests, scholars are influenced not only by their socio-political environment but also by the empirical data and the scientific milieu within which they operate, and, as it seems, the latter has an even greater influence on their work. Furthermore, the public may evaluate scientific approaches according to its worldview, yet can still integrate academic studies with seemingly subversive messages into a grand narrative of sorts.