The military might and activity of King Aha

In order to understand the historical context of a biblical text, the role of archaeology and the relationship of the biblical text to what actually happened in ancient times needs to be explored. This thesis will attempt to ascertain the historical context of King Ahab as it relates to his military power and activity. This historical context will then serve to inform the author's biblical interpretation of Ahab's confrontations with Ben-Hadad I of Damascus as recorded in 1 Kings 20 and 22. An analysis of present views on the relationship between the biblical text and the genre of history and historiography will be discussed. As well, the discussion of the relationship between the Bible and archaeology will precede the survey of the monumental remains in the northern kingdom of Israel during the ninth century BCE, that pertain to military might and activity. Only through an understanding of this historical context would it be possible to properly determine the author's intent and therefore provide for sound biblical interpretation. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).