BIBLE HISTORY DAILY

See the Tel Dan Stele

Free US exhibit showcases one of biblical archaeology's most important discoveries

The Tel Dan Stele on display at the Museum of the Bible. Photo by Glenn J. Corbett.

Through November 3, 2025
Museum of the Bible
Washington, D.C.
museumofthebible.org

The Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., is currently displaying the famous Tel Dan Stele, arguably one of the most significant biblical archaeological discoveries of the past century. The exhibit, titled The House of David: A Dynasty Carved in Stone, is part of the museum’s First Floor Free initiative, which allows visitors to view select ground-floor exhibitions at no charge.

Discovered in 1993 at the site of Tel Dan in northern Israel, the fragmentary stela commemorates the victories of the king of Aram, ancient Israel’s neighbor to the north. In the stela’s three surviving fragments, the Aramean king, most likely Hazael (r. 842–796 BCE), celebrates the defeat of his enemies, including Jehoram, son of Ahab, and Ahaziah, son of Jehoram, whom the stela identifies as the “king of the House of David.”

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Until the stela’s discovery, many biblical scholars and archaeologists hotly debated whether King David was a real historical figure. Given the lack of clear archaeological or textual evidence for David’s rule outside of the Bible, some viewed David as a legendary or mythical figure, much like King Arthur in English folklore. Although the stela does not directly reference King David or his reign, it shows that about a century after his death, David was still regarded as the founder of the dynasty (or “house”) that ruled over the kingdom of Judah, proving that the famous biblical king was indeed a real historical figure.

The House of David exhibition was created in partnership with the Israel Antiquities Authority from their National Treasures collection and is on display through November 3, 2025. Visitors to Washington, D.C., will not want to miss seeing this significant artifact for themselves.

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