Once Again: The Structure of the Narrative of Solomon's Reign

Abstract

Scholars have proposed two primary structures for 1 Kgs 3.1-11.13: on the one hand, a bipartite structure of two parallel stories (chs. 3–8; 9–11); and on the other, a concentric/chiastic structure which focuses on the building and dedication of the Temple in chs. 6–8. A review of linguistic (verbal) evidence supports the position that the fundamental structure is one of two parallel stories. Further examination, however, suggests that key observations associated with the proposal of a concentric/chiastic structure may be synthesized with the notion of parallel stories. Such an understanding enriches our appreciation of the text, by revealing a web of connections in the narrative, suggesting a tightly woven and sophisticated account.