During the Iron IIA, we witness a surprising settlement wave in the Negev Highlands after a millennium during which the area was devoid of occupation. This is accompanied by drastic settlement transformations in the Beersheba Valley and an unparalleled peak in Aravah copper production. The evidence suggests that these changes are connected and can be explained by the expansion of the highland polity into the south. Initially, the Beersheba–Arad valley was taken over, and the groups that were affiliated with Israel flourished, whereas settlements of groups considered hostile were destroyed and their population transferred to other areas. Subsequently, the Israelites took control – directly or indirectly – over the lucrative copper production of the Aravah (Edom), where fortifications were now built, and where many lines of evidence show that the region was now economically connected with the north. The highland polity also took control of the Negev Highlands, building dozens of fortified settlements to control the roads to the copper mines of the Aravah and to secure the taxes from caravans crossing the area with the Arabian trade. The entire system functioned together and was oriented to the north (and many LFS buildings were unearthed there, cf., Excursus 6.1).

The evidence from Transjordan reveals a pattern: Most areas in the Transjordan experienced a wave of abandonment at around the middle of the tenth century BCE, whereas some regions flourished. The common denominator of the former is that it includes territories associated with Ammon and Moab, whereas the latter pattern is typical of regions that the Bible describes as Israelite. It appears that as Israel expanded, some groups opposed it and were defeated, suffering the consequences. Other groups, perhaps of similar backgrounds, joined Israel and adopted its identity (e.g., in the Gilead); subsequently, they flourished. Israelite expansion can therefore explain the changing pattern in Transjordan, even if not all the areas that suffered abandonment were actually conquered by Israel. It is likely that Israelite aggression resulted in a wave of abandonment beyond the area of actual Israelite control.