Pharaoh's daughter, Solomon's palace, and the temple: Another look at the structure of 1 Kings 1-11

John W. Olley

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

In an earlier issue of this journal (JSOT 86 [1999], pp. 49-66), David Williams sought to bring some methodological rigour to the debate on the structure of the Solomon narrative (1 Kgs 1-11). In the present article, those arguments are examined and a further proposal made that more adequately takes account of features of the narrative overlooked by him: (1) references to Pharaoh's daughter and to Solomon's house; (2) the structure of 6.38-7.12; (3) the language and content of the words of YHWH to Solomon (two 'appearances' and two 'sayings'), David's words to Solomon and YHWH's to Jeroboam; and (4) parallels noted by previous writers. The proposed structure has three intertwining chiasms, with the centre being 7.1-12, framed by the construction and dedication of the temple. The outer frames, chs. 1-2 and 11.14-43, also have parallels. The significance of the structure for readers in the exile is considered, with a relativizing of the temple and of Solomon, and emphasis upon 'walking in YHWH's ways'.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)355-369
Number of pages15
JournalJournal for the Study of the Old Testament
Volume27
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2003
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

William's article appeared also in "Shofar; an Interdisciplinary Journal of Jewish Studies" 12,1 (1993) 11-27.

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Pharaoh's daughter, Solomon's palace, and the temple: Another look at the structure of 1 Kings 1-11'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this