Soul Invictus

In my studies, I've been delineating literal vs figurative text. Moses, Abraham, Adam, and Eve.. etc are coming up at worst as speculative in reference to actually having a historical validity. Some assumptions are that they existed, however some or their stories cannot be substantiated. Another thought is that they per se represent a people during their time. Some characters in the Bible, I'm finding are appearing to have more validity to having existed, such as King Josiah. I'm not finding Solomon having the same type of support.

1)What sources do you use in determining the existence of these characters?

2)What sources have aided in articulating literal vs figurative examples in the Bible?

I ask because close friends want me expound on explaining the differences between the two. If someone knows of a website or two or a book that deals with this, I'd appreciate it!

lpetrich

Finkelstein and Silberman's book The Bible Unearthed is a good place to start. Its authors conclude that Kings David and Solomon probably existed, but were greatly exaggerated by succeeding generations.

After that is legitimate history -- even the dates of various kings agree well with outside sources.

But before that is mostly mythology with bits of vaguely-remembered real history -- there are lots of anachronisms like the patriarchs using herds of camels as pack animals (common only centuries later), the Law of Moses forbidding working on the Sabbath (only important after the Babylonian Exile), and that law specifying lots of temple gear (appropriate for a settled society and not some nomads in a desert).