II. In Defense of the Stables at Megiddo

After several seasons of excavations at Megiddo, I believe I have proven that the two groups of buildings commonly referred to as “Solomon’s Stables” are not Solomonic but must date to approximately the reign of Ahab.¹ However, I do not challenge the conclusion of the original Megiddo excavators that the buildings are indeed stables. It seems to me that the association with Ahab is quite consistent with the testimony of Shalmaneser III, according to which Ahab is credited with commanding a great number of chariots²—more, even, than were in possession of several of the kings around him.