LeGrande Davies received a BA in history from Brigham Young University and an MA and PhD from the University of Utah in Middle East studies, specializing in anthropology and archeology. He spent twelve seasons excavating in Israel at Tel Gezer, Beersheba, Tel Michal, Tel Gerisa, and in Utah at Wilden Fort. His career has been in education. He was an adjunct professor of anthropology/archeology at Weber State University when this was written. In addition to his dissertation, he has authored or contributed to a number of scholarly publications, particularly in Israelite archeology.