

Episode 7: Hell of a King (feat. Chris Wade)
Israelite Origins
- The Israelites and Judahites likely emerged from Canaanite society.
- Their gods, worship, temples, and material culture were similar.
Twelve Tribes?
- The "12 tribes of Israel" concept is fluid, with different texts listing varying numbers and combinations.
- The number 12 may not reflect a historical reality.
Conflicting Lists
- Judges 5 lists ten tribes, omitting Simeon and Judah, while Deuteronomy 33 lists a different ten and omits Simeon, Judah, and Reuben.
- These omissions suggest a fluid and evolving concept of "Israel".







This time I bring Chapo Trap House's Chris Wade along as we dive into the story of David's ascension to king in both history and legend.
Check out Chris and Molly's other podcasts here:
https://soundcloud.com/and-intro-pod
https://soundcloud.com/infinite-cast
Bibliography:
Christian Frevel - ‘History of Ancient Israel’;
Mario Liverani - ‘Israel’s History and the History of Israel’;
Joel Baden - ‘The Historical David’;
Robert Alter - ‘The Hebrew Bible: A Translation with Commentary’;
Emanuel Pfoh - ‘The Emergence of Israel in Ancient Palestine’;
Andrew Tobolowsky - ‘The Sons of Jacob and the Sons of Herakles’;
Andrew Tobolowsky - ‘The Myth of the Twelve Tribes of Israel’;
Kyle McCarter - ‘I Samuel’;
Kyle McCarter - ‘II Samuel’;
Susan Ackerman - ‘When Heroes Love’;
Jennifer Knust - ‘Unprotected Texts’;
Sara Diamond - ’Spiritual Warfare’;
Other Bible quotations taken from the NRSVue and the NJPS with adaptations;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wtBBVnyX3A
https://www.thetorah.com/article/dating-deborah
https://rbecs.org/2014/01/31/thd/