Yanno, it's actually a bit of history, as well.  There's a great book by a guy named Friedmann, if I remember right.  I believe it's called "Who Wrote the Bible".  He's a historian, and he walks ya through the old testament.  His opinion is that the OT is a compilation of writers/stories from both Judah and Israel.  That's how he explains the differing stories found in the creation or in the flood, and elsewhere.  There's a parallel with Israel's history and events in the OT.  Pretty cool stuff.  He doesn't claim that the metaphysical is historically supported.  He does show how stories about Solomon and King David align with some events in the bible.  Cool stuff.