2 chronicles 1 through 3

Read 2 Chronicles 1 through 3 at Bible Gateway.

The Hebrew paragraph divisions:

2 Chr 1:1-10 {s} Solomon sought the LORD, asked of Him wisdom + knowledge to judge rightly
2 Chr 1:11-13 {p} The LORD granted his request, and added riches + wealth + honor
2 Chr 1:14-2:2 {p} Solomon increased chariots + horses + silver + gold/ determined to build the Lord’s house
2 Chr 2:3-10 {s} Solomon sent to Hiram king of Tyre, for cedar + a skilled master craftsman
2 Chr 2:11-16 {p} Hiram sent to Solomon his master craftsman + arranged for the delivery of timber
2 Chr 2:17-3:7 {s} He appointed the strangers to the labor force + began to build the temple
2 Chr 3:6-13 {s} The construction and description of the Most Holy Place
2 Chr 3:14 {s} He made the veil of blue, purple, crimson, fine linen + wove cherubim into it
2 Chr 3:15 {s} Two pillars 35 cubits high + their capitals were 5 cubits, in front of the temple
2 Chr 3:16-17 {s} Their decoration + he set them up, and called them Jachin and Boaz

The strong themes:

2 Chr 1:1-13 {s+p} Solomon asked wisdom + knowledge to judge rightly of the LORD, He granted it
2 Chr 1:14-2:2 {p} Solomon increased chariots + horses + silver + gold/ determined to build the Lord’s house
2 Chr 2:3-16 {s+p} Solomon + Hiram king of Tyre contract for timber + master craftsman for the house

The reverse paralleltism:

1a) 2 Chr 2:1, Solomon determined to build a temple for the name of the Lord + a royal house for himself;

1b) 2 Chr 2:2 {p} Solomon’s labor force to bear burdens, quarry stone + overseers;

1c) 2 Chr 2:3-10 {s} Solomon sent to Hiram king of Tyre, for a master craftsmen + timber;

2c) 2 Chr 3:11-16 {p} Hiram sent to Solomon, and agreed to provide them;

2b) 2 Chr 2:17-18, Solomon’s labor force, from the aliens left remaining in the land;

2a) 2 Chr 3:1-17 {sx5) Solomon began to build the house of the Lord at Jerusalem on Mount Moriah.

The C pair at the center of the structure, the kings’ correspondence with each other, both contain their witness to the greatness and glory of God. Even Hiram, king of Tyre, acknowledged that it was Yehovah who was Creator of heaven and earth. Might it be that the witness of David’s life changed the heart of the king of Tyre from idol worship, even if his people, the Phoenicians, still practiced it?

It’s as if all nations knew the glory and greatness of God, which He had manifested and made known about Himself in His deliverance of Israel from Egypt, and in bringing them in the Promised Land, and through the reign of David, for at the beginning of his reign, Israel was scattered before the Philistines, and the Philistines dwelt in Israel’s cities, and at the end of his reign, David had dominion from the Sea to the Euphrates. They knew of His fame and glory, even if cultural constraints compelled them to continue sacrificing to their own local gods, who, they were perhaps beginning to realize, were not as mighty as the God of Israel.

I had thought that the witness of the greatness of God would each be the central axis of the smaller structures formed by their letters to each other. It does in Solomon’s case, but not in Hiram’s. It is as if the LORD is saying, the Spirit inspired the words of Solomon, but of course not the words of Hiram, Hiram not being His worshiper. Be that as it may, here is the chiastic structure of Solomon’s letter:

1a) 2 Chr 2:3b, As you did with David my father, and sent him cedars to build himself a house, so do with me;

1b) 2 Chr 2:4, Behold, I am building a temple for the name of the Lord my God;

central axis) 2 Chr 2:5, The temple which I build will be great, for our God is greater than all gods;

2b) 2 Chr 2:6, But who is able to build Him a temple, since heaven + the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him;

2a) 2 Chr 2:7-10 {s} Therefore send me a master craftsman + timber in abundance.