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It's Official: Archaeologists Announce Location of David's Palace

Teresa Neumann : Jan 20, 2014
Lazar Berman – Times of Israel

"When David would visit this important regional center, he definitely didn't live in a simple home… this is unequivocally evidence of a kingdom's existence." -Saar Ganor, Israel Antiquities Authority

David's Palace(Israel)—Israeli archaeologists Yossi Garfinkel and Saar Ganor have made the discovery and location of David's Palace official, announcing they have excavated a palace and royal storehouse belonging to King David in Khirbet Qeiyafa near Beit Shemesh, southwest of Jerusalem—believed by some to be the fortified city of Shaarayim. (Photo credit: courtesy/ Israel Antiquities Authority)

The word "Shaarayim" means "two gates," and indeed, Khirbet Qeiyafa reportedly has two gates in its walls.

According to a Times of Israel report, the two buildings are the largest structures standing during the tenth century BC found in the Kingdom of Judah.

The researchers issued a statement saying, "Khirbet Qeiyafa is the best example exposed to date of a fortified city from the time of King David… The palace is located in the center of the site and controls all of the houses lower than it in the city. From here, one has an excellent vantage looking out into the distance, from as far as the Mediterranean Sea in the west to the Hebron Mountains and Jerusalem in the east. This is an ideal location from which to send messages by means of fire signals."

"This is unequivocally evidence of a kingdom's existence," they added, "which knew to establish administrative centers at strategic points."