A sculpted head measuring 2.2 by 2 inches and thought to be from the 9th Century B.C.E is the latest artifact to be recovered from the archaeological site in northern Israel. It was discovered at the ancient city of Abel Beth-Maacah which is mentioned in 2 Samuel 20 where Joab pursues Sheba, a rebel of King David, to the city and prepares to batter down its outer wall. Joab’s army is stopped by a woman who saves the city by having the head of Sheba thrown over the wall.
Although archaeologists can’t determine the biblical figure of this sculpted head, it does indeed represent a royal enigma. It could be either of the three in the following:
1. King Ahab, the seventh king of Israel, is featured 1 Kings 18-22. The Bible depicts him as a foil of Elijah and other Old Testament prophets of God.
2. King Hazael is mentioned briefly in 1 Kings 19:15 when Elijah anoints him king of Aram at the Lord’s instruction.
3. King Ethbaal is listed in 1 Kings 16:31 as the father of Jezebel.
Despite the head’s small and innocuous appearance, it provides us with a unique opportunity to gaze into the eyes of a famous person in the land of Israel.
B’Shem Yeshua (In Jesus' name).
Mike “The Digger” John