Finkelstein, I. 2006. The Last Labayu: King Saul and the Expansion of the First North Israelite Territorial Entity, in Y. Amit, E. Ben Zvi, I. Finkelstein and O. Lipschits (eds.), Essays on Ancient Israel in its Near Eastern Context, A Tribute to Nadav Na'aman, Winona Lake: 171-177. (original) (raw)

The paper examines the historical validity of the Saulide regime in early Israel, drawing on archaeological and textual evidence to argue that the biblical narrative reflects positive Northern oral traditions. It discusses the geography and sociopolitical context of the Saulide entity, highlighting the significance of territorial expansion during periods of political twilight. The study concludes that archaeological findings support rather than contradict the biblical account, suggesting a credible historical framework for understanding the reign of King Saul.