The present volume had its origins in the cooperation between the Soci- ety for Old Testament Study in the UK and Ireland (SOTS) and the Oudtestamentisch Werkgezelschap in Nederland en België (OTW). Les- ter L. Grabbe was the president of SOTS and wanted a theme relat- ing to the history of ancient Israel for some of the papers read at the winter and summer meetings of the Society. The OTW, president Bob Becking, was scheduled to meet in the UK with SOTS (a joint meeting occurs every three years), and the specific topic of “History of Ancient Israel between Evidence and Ideology” was agreed on. As it happens, these two societies met with the European Association of Biblical Studies for a three-way joint meeting in the cathedral city of Lincoln.