The Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III
Supernatural Element #2 – Its Historical Accuracy!
Atheists and agnostics referred often to the “hundreds of historical mistakes and contradictions” in the Bible. But that was before the specialized science of archaeology came along and unearthed one crucial finding after another that provided extra-biblical evidence for the trustworthiness of the Old Book.
Most of us respect men and women who have devoted their lives in researching their field of interest. One such person was William F. Albright, one of the most admired Middle Eastern scholars who ever lived. He used modern science and methods to prove the historicity of many Old Testament and New Testament sites. Consider his comments about the Bible: “The reader may rest assured: nothing has been found to disturb a reasonable faith, and nothing has been discovered which can disprove a single theological doctrine. We no longer trouble ourselves with attempts to ‘harmonize’ religion and science, or to ‘prove’ the Bible. The Bible can stand for itself.”
Archaeological discoveries such as the Pool of Siloam of John 9, and Jerusalem’s Babylonian Siege Tower of 2 Kings 25 may not provide enough evidence to convince the unbelieving mind but they do provide sufficient evidence for faith to operate.
The Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III is a six and a half feet tall, four-sided, black limestone sculpture. It was unearthed in northern Iraq by archaeologist Sir Austen H. Layard in 1846. The obelisk has 20 panels that commemorate the deeds of King Shalmaneser III who reigned from 858-825 B.C. On one of the panels is a depiction of someone bowing and paying tribute to Shalmaneser. The caption above the scene, written in Assyrian cuneiform, is translated:
“The tribute of Jehu, son of Omri: I received from him silver, gold, a golden bowl, a golden vase with pointed bottom, golden tumblers, golden buckets, tin, a staff for a king [and] spears.”
Most scholars agree the figure is that of King Jehu of Israel from 1 Kings 19:16 and 2 Kings 9:2. The Assyrians referred to a northern Israel king as a “son of Omri” whether he was a direct descendant of Omri or not, much like Jesus being referred to as the “son of David.” King Omri of Israel is mentioned in 1 Kings 16. He began his reign in 885 B.C. and was the ruler who made Samaria the new Northern Capitol of Israel. Jehu would come to the throne in 841 B.C. and reign for 28 years.
Jehu’s name is also found in ancient Assyrian manuscripts and chronicles, indicating he had normal interactions with his neighboring nation. The very fact of both Omri and Jehu showing up on the most complete Assyrian obelisk yet discovered is strong extra-biblical evidence that they were actual historical figures.
According to the Biblical Archaeology Review, Jehu and Omri are just two of the over 52 people in the Bible who have been confirmed archaeologically. Think about that. Fifty-two people from the Bible whose existence is confirmed outside of the biblical record! Again, probably not enough to convince the unbelieving mind, but it is sufficient evidence for the faithful.
Strongly influenced by late 19th century skeptics, Frank Morison, a man trained in law, decided to discover the true nature of Jesus by looking critically and objectively at the facts surrounding his death and resurrection. He knew this was the central force of the Christian faith and he thought that by disproving the resurrection, he could deal a death blow to the entire faith. After painstaking research, Morison came away from the experience completely convinced that Jesus of Nazareth did die a cruel death by crucifixion at the hands of the Romans and that He did indeed rise from the dead after three days. His book, Who Moved the Stone, is considered a classic apologetic (or defense) on the subject of the Resurrection.
More recently, former investigative journalist Lee Strobel, an awarding-winning legal editor of the Chicago Tribune and a spiritual skeptic until 1981, conducted his own investigation into the Bible’s claim of a risen Christ. He, like Frank Morison and others, came away from the experience believing the biblical record. His book, "The Case for Christ," was made into a movie in 2017.
Grace, Peace, and Jahspeed,
Brother Quick