Lowell K. Handy Books

The figure of King Solomon is central to our understanding of the history of Israel and Judah. This volume of collected articles brings the reader up-to-date with the latest scholarship in the field.The work consists of twenty-four chapters and provides important studies in the historical approach to Solomon and to 10th century B.C.E. Judah and Israel with archaeological surveys of the neighboring regions, sociological surveys, and literary readings of the biblical texts. With suggestions for further research and indexes.

The book explores the portrayal of Judah's last major king, Josiah, in biblical texts and their influence on subsequent cultures. It argues that no reliable material from Josiah's time exists, suggesting that the accounts in Kings, Chronicles, and First Esdras reflect a creative interpretation of his reign rather than factual history. Additionally, it examines how these narratives have shaped historiographical views of world history and have been represented in various artistic forms, highlighting the complexities of memory and narrative construction.