How would an Israeli Prime Minister react today if archaeologists were to discover during their excavations a lost book from the Bible on the Jewish Temple Mount? To what extent would the Prime Minister and his government coalition acknowledge the historical find in a political manner and consequently call on the Israeli people to revise their opinions and attitudes?

Would Benjamin Netanyahu, or any other government leader, change fundamental laws in the Knesset as a result, revise constitutions or correct party charters? Just because something was found in the biblical text that contradicted current policies?

Something comparable to this scenario happened at the time of King Josiah, following political and cultural upheavals and reforms in the Kingdom of Judah. Josiah reigned more than 2,600 years ago and was a king from the House of David.

“He did right in the sight of the Lord and walked in all the ways of his father David, nor did he turn aside to the right or to the left. Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in...