In a 1981 article on “The Chronicler’s Solomon” in the Westminster Theological Journal (43:2), Ray Dillard lays out the following chiastic structure for the reign of Solomon (pp. 299-300):
A. Solomon’s wealth and wisdom (1:1-17) (Trade in horses, 1:14-17)
B. Recognition by gentiles/dealings with Hiram (2:1-16) ( Yahweh’s love for Israel, 2:11)
C. Construction of temple/gentile labor (2:17-5:1) (Gentile labor, 2:17-18; Completion of temple, 5:1)
D. Inauguration of temple worship (5:2-6:11)
a. Assembly (5:2-3)
b. Sacrifice and song (5:4-13)
c. Glory cloud (5:13-14)
d. Solomon speaks to the people (6:1-11 )
E. Prayer of dedication (6:12-42)
D’. Inauguration of temple worship (7:1-22)
c. Glory cloud (7:1-2)
b. Sacrifice and song (7:3-7)
a. Assembly (7:8-10)
d. God speaks to Solomon (7:11-22)
C’. Other construction/gentile labor/temple completed (8:1-16) (Gentile labor, 8:7-10; Completion of temple, 8:16)
B’. Recognition by gentiles/dealings with Hiram (8:17-9:12) (Yahweh’s love for Israel, 9:8)
A’. Solomon’s wealth and wisdom (9:13-28) (Trade in horses, 9:25-28)
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