A number of 'histories of Israel' have been written yet the basic methodological questions are not always addressed: how do we write such a history and how can we know anything about the history of Israel? This work summarizes what we know through a survey of sources and how we know it by a discussion of methodology and by evaluating the evidence.

He examines the problems involved in historical methodology and deals with the major issues surrounding the use of the biblical text when writing a history of this period. "Ancient Israel" makes an original contribution to the field but also provides an enlightening overview and critique of current scholarly debate. It can therefore serve as a 'handbook' or reference-point for those wanting a catalog of original sources, scholarship, and secondary studies. Its user-friendly structure and Grabbe's clarity of style make this book eminently accessible not only to students of biblical studies and ancient history but also to the interested lay reader.

Abbreviations
Preface
Part I: Introduction
1. Principles and Method of Investigating the History of Ancient Israel
Part II: History
2. Second Millennium Background (2000-1200 BCE)
3. Iron 1 (1200-1000): Early Settlements
4. Iron 2A (1000-900): Beginnings of Israel as a State
5. Iron 2B (900-720): End of Israel and Rise of Judah
6. Iron 2C (720-586): Peak and Decline of Judah
7. Epilogue: the 'Exile' (586-539)
Part III: Conclusions
8. An Overview: What We Know of Israelite and Judahite History Indices Modern Authors Citations Subjects.