Only in the study of ancient Israel would a 22-letter inscription—and an abecedary [the letters of the alphabet] at that—generate an entire monograph … The reason for this is obvious: While the number of inscriptions from the kingdoms of Israel and Judah (especially the latter) dated to the eighth century [B.C.E.] onward is rather significant, the epigraphic evidence for the tenth century (the period of David and Solomon) remains meager. Accordingly, the discovery of an inscribed bowl from Tel Zayit in the Judean [Judahite] Shephelah spurred major interest in 2005 … While reading the essays [in this volume] I […]