Chris McKinny
Chris McKinny has a PhD from Bar Ilan University (Israel). His dissertation focused on the historical geography and archaeology of the town lists of Judah and Benjamin in the book of Joshua. He also is a core staff member of the Tel Burna Archaeological Project and currently involved in several other writing and research projects. His past projects include "My People as Your People: A Textual and Archaeological Analysis of the Reign of Jehoshaphat" (Peter Lang, 2016) and "The Regnal Chronology of the Kings of Israel and Judah" (BiblePlaces, 2015). He currently serve as an adjunct faculty member at Texas A&M University Corpus Christi, The Master's University (IBEX), and William Jessup University.
Presenter at
Spring Bible & Archaeology Fest 2023
A Tale of Two Swords – David’s Rise and Saul’s Demise
A misinterpretation of the archaeological evidence at Beth-shean has caused modern scholars to misunderstand the biblical portrayal of the death of Saul at Mount Gilboa, as well as the aftermath of what happened to Saul’s bodily remains and weaponry (1 Samuel 31). This misinterpretation has also obscured what I believe is a very intricate and sophisticated literary motif that runs throughout 1 Samuel 13–31. I call this narrative – the Tale of Two Swords. Once this biblical archaeological misinterpretation is corrected – the re-telling of the story with its epic elements allows modern readers to appreciate the literary beauty of David’s rise.
