The Louvre Museum in Paris is well-known for its extensive collection of art and historical relics. However, one particular artifact has recently made headlines, not only because of its age, but also because of its links to the Bible. Researchers at the Louvre Museum have confirmed that the Moabite Stone, also known as the Mesha Stele, is a biblical reference to King David.

The Moabite Stone, discovered in 1868 in Moab, Jordan, about 15 miles east of the Dead Sea, dates back to 840 BC. The fragmented stone was made of black basalt and stood approximately three feet tall and two feet wide. The text carved on the stone, written in an extinct Moabite language, described the deeds of Moabite King Mesha, including territorial battles with Judah, Israel, and Edom, as recorded in 2 Kings, Chapter 3.

However, the stone was damaged in 1869, making it difficult to accurately translate the text. Researchers were able to confirm that the text did indeed refer to King David using newer technology, such as digital photography enhancement techniques. The Moabite Stone’s references to King David are brief, including phrases like “House of David” and “Altar of David.” The House of David is described in five letters: BTDWD, which stands for Beit (House) and DWD in Hebrew (David)