1 Chronicles – 2 Chronicles*

Here are some large scale patterns that are described by YITZHAK BERGER in Journal of Hebrew Scriptures Volume 14, Article 1 DOI:10.5508/jhs.2014.v14.a1 “Chiasm and Meaning in 1 Chronicles“.

PRE-ISRAELITE GENEALOGIES (1 CHR 1:1–2:2)

(Braun, Klein, and Willi)

I Ten generations from Adam to Noah

A Shem

B Ham

C Japheth

C’ Progeny of Japheth

B’ Progeny of Ham

A’ Progeny of Shem

II Ten generations from Shem to Abraham

A Isaac

B Ishmael

B’ Progeny of Ishmael (and Keturah)

A’ Progeny of Isaac

THE TRIBES OF ISRAEL AND LEVI: JUDAH VS.BENJAMIN (1CHR 2:3–8:40)

(Williamson, followed by others)

A Royal tribe of Judah

B Transjordanian tribes

X Tribe of Levi

B’ Tribes west of the Jordan

A’ Royal tribe of Benjamin

SELECTION OF JERUSALEM OVER GIBEON AND SUPPORT FOR DAVID BY ALL ISRAEL: 1 CHR 9–12

(chs. 11–12 following Williamson, apart from 11:4–9)

A Cult city of Jerusalem inhabited by multiple tribes (9:2–34)

B Cult city of Gibeon inhabited by line of Saul (sons “Jonathan and Malki-shua and Abinadab and Eshbaal”) (9:35–44)

B’ Death of Saul and sons “Jonathan and Abinadab and Malki-shua” (10:1–14) a Coronation of David by all Israel (11:1–3)

A’ Cult city of Jerusalem captured, settled, and built up by David, supported by all Israel (11:4–9)

b Supporters at coronation (11:10–45)

c Supporters at Ziklag (12:1–8)

d Supporters at stronghold (12:9–16)

d’ Supporters at stronghold (12:17–19)

c’ Supporters at Ziklag (12:20–23)

b’ Supporters at coronation (12:24–39a)

a’ Coronation of David by all Israel (12:39b–41)

TRANSFER OF ARK TO JERUSALEM (1 CHR 13:1–16:1)

(Zalewski, with addition of A–A’)

A David and Israelites resolve to transfer ark to Jerusalem “because we did not seek it out in the days of Saul” (13:1–5)
B Celebratory procession: ark transported by carriage (13:6–8)

C Death of Uzza: the Lord pāraṣ pereṣ; place named pereṣ ʿuzzâ (13:9–11)

D God blesses “Obed-edom’s house and all that was his” (sons? cf. 1 Chr 26:4–5) (13:12–14)

D’ God favors David: king receives materials to build “house,” begets sons (14:1–7)

C’ Defeat of Philistines: God pāraṣ . . . kĕpereṣ . . . ; place named baʿal pĕrāṣîm (14:8–17)

B’ Celebratory procession: ark transported by Levites (15:1–24)

A’ David and Israelites transfer ark to Jerusalem; “daughter of
Saul” disdains David’s celebration (15:25–16:1) 16:1-43

ESTABLISHMENT OF CULT (sic) IN JERUSALEM AND SONG OF PRAISE (1 CHR 16:2–43)

(adaptation of Japhet and Selman, combined with Hill)

A David blesses and feeds the people (16:2)

B David appoints Levites to service of the ark (16:3–6)

C Role of Asaph and his sons is highlighted (16:7)

D “Praise the Lord . . . ” (16:8)

E “Sing to the Lord . . . ” (16:9–22)

E’ “Sing to the Lord . . . ” (16:10–33)

D’ “Praise the Lord . . . ” (16:34–36)

C’ Role of Asaph and his sons is highlighted (16:37)

B’ David appoints Levites to service of the ark, and of the center in Gibeon (16:38–42)

A’ People disperse; David turns to bless his house (16:43)

TOWARD A PERMANENT TEMPLE: ROLE OF DAVID (1 CHR 17–29)

A Divine speech: David’s successor must build temple; David’s prayer (ch. 17)

B Bloodshed disqualifying David from building temple: Wars , Fatal census (conducted over Joab’s objection) (chs. 18–21)

X Citation of divine speech: Solomon must build temple, for David “spilled much blood and waged many wars” (ch. 22)

B’ David’s preparations for building of temple: Organization,
Proper census (fatal census now attributed to Joab) (chs. 23–27)

A’ Citation of divine speech: Solomon must build temple; David’s speeches and prayer (chs. 28–29)

RISE OF SOLOMON AND CONSTRUCTION OF TEMPLE

(2 CHR 1–9) (Dillard, followed by others)

A Solomon’s wealth and wisdom, trade in horses (1:1–17)

B Recognition by gentiles, dealings with Hiram (2:1–16)

C Temple construction, gentile labor (2:17–5:1)

D Dedication of temple, Solomon’s speeches to God and people (5:2–7:10)

D’ Divine response: God’s speeches to Solomon and people (7:11–22)

C’ Other construction, gentile labor (8:1–16)

B’ Recognition by gentiles, dealings with Hiram (8:17– 9:12)

A’ Solomon’s wealth and wisdom, trade in horses (9:13–28)

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