So where was David buried?
At first glance, the answer might seem simple.
But not so fast, homies.
Because when you dig into it, two conflicting theories emerge that cause a lot of confusion.
So let’s clear things up.
First, based on the Scriptures and ancient records, David was almost certainly buried in the City of David.
Not at the current religious site in Mount Zion that tourists visit daily.
But in the original stronghold he established in Jerusalem.
We’re told that the kings of Israel were buried in family tombs, and David’s line used that burial place for generations.
In fact, later writings like Nehemiah and even the historian Josephus confirm that the tombs of David’s family were known and in use for hundreds of years.
So far, so good.
But here’s where things get a bit wild and wacky.
Even though we have a general idea of where those tombs should be….
Modern archaeologists have never definitively found them.
Does that mean they don’t exist?
No, man, calm down.
It just means we don’t have physical proof today.
And there are real-world reasons for that.
That area has been continuously inhabited for thousands of years.
Buildings have been constructed on top of it.
Excavation is limited.
So, the original tomb of David?
Again, it’s still not confirmed.
Now here’s the part that throws people off.
You’ll often hear that “David’s tomb is on Mount Zion.”
See the picture of me above?
That was taken at the traditional site of David’s tomb at Mount Zion.
But again, that ain’t based on biblical or early historical evidence.
There is ZERO solid archaeological evidence that David is buried there.
Could his remains have been moved at some point?
Well, yeah, man, sure, that’s possible.
But we’re engaging in hog-wild speculation at that point.
The bottom line is we simply don’t know.
But here’s the thing.
We could know if we wanted to.
The only problem is that the location of David’s tomb complex is now a residential area under Arab control, and excavation access is tightly restricted.
Why?
Because the Arabs sure as hell don’t want anybody digging that area up.
If David’s original burial spot was unearthed, that would be indisputable evidence of Israel’s previous existence there and the Jewish people’s claim to the land.
Ya feel me?
So the issue isn’t a lack of evidence.
It’s a lack of access.
And that ain’t a small detail.
Because if it so happened that the site were ever fully opened up and properly explored…
That would be powerful physical confirmation of what the Bible and ancient sources have been saying all along.
That area belongs to Israel.
But until then, the evidence stays buried.
Not because it isn’t there…
…but because no one is allowed to get to it.
Ya feel me?
Done.
Another similar story I heard when I was last in Israel was that the Dead Sea Scrolls were actually discovered years before the annoucement was made.
The problem was that they were in Arab controlled land and the Jews, who were the first to know about it, swore the original finders to secrecy and didn’t tell anyone else because they knew if the Arab’s had known, they would have destroyed the scrolls.
The Arabs aren’t willing to give up any land, even though they have never really done anything with it- they just don’t want us there.
I suppose you are right, Rich, in that any additional proof of our indigineous rights would weaken their claims, but it doesn’t really matter because right or wrong is not something they care about.
Thanks for sharing, Steven. As I said in our FB group, I don’t care what they think because I know the Lord’s Will shall be done in the matter. The thing about the truth is you can only suppress it for so long before it rears its head again. The Arabs can try to suppress the truth all they want. But they will not succeed.