The Tel Dan inscription is a stone inscription discovered in 1993 at the Tel Dan archaeological site in the north of Israel. The inscription, which dates back to the 9th century BC, contains an ancient Hebrew inscription that mentions the king of Israel and the king of the “House of David”. This has led many scholars to believe that the inscription provides evidence of the existence of the biblical King David, who was traditionally believed to have ruled over the Kingdom of Israel in the 10th century BC. The inscription has been the subject of much scholarly debate, and its meaning continues to be the subject of debate among archaeologists and historians.

1. […..]..[………….] and cut […………..]
2. […..] my father went up [……f]ighting at/against Ab[…]
3. And my father lay down, he went to his [fathers]. And the kings of I[s-]
4. rael penetrated into my father’s land[. And] Hadad made me – myself – king
5. And Hadad went in front of me[, and] I departed from …. [….]
6. of my kings. And I killed two power[ful] kin[gs], who harnessed two thou[sand cha-]
7. riots and two thousand horsemen. [I killed Jo]ram son of [Ahab]
8. king of Israel, and I killed [Achaz]yahu son of [Joram king]
9. of the House of David. And I set [……]
10. their land […….]
11. other …[………… and Jehu ru-]
12. led over Is[rael …………]
13. siege upon […….]