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The Solomon Narratives in the Context of Tanak TOLD AND RETOLD: THE SOLOMON NARRATIVES IN THE CONTEXT OF TANAK Sean Elliot Cook A Thesis Submitted for the Degree of PhD at the University of St Andrews 2013 Full metadata for this item is available in St Andrews Research Repository at: http://research-repository.st-andrews.ac.uk/ Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/10023/3532 This item is protected by original copyright TOLD AND RETOLD: THE SOLOMON NARRATIVES IN THE CONTEXT OF TANAK Sean Elliot Cook This thesis is submitted in partial fulfilment for the degree of PhD at the University of St Andrews October 2012 TOLD AND RETOLD: THE SOLOMON NARRATIVES IN THE CONTEXT OF TANAK ABSTRACT This thesis explores the relationship between the books of Kings and Chronicles and considers the value of having two different versions of the same monarchic history within the Tanak. It furthermore explores how these books are read in relation to one another. To be more specific, its concern is how the book of Chronicles is read in relation to the book of Kings as Chronicles is so often considered to be a later rewritten text drawing upon an earlier version of the Masoretic Text of Kings. The predominant scholarly approach to reading the book of Chronicles is to read it in light of how the text was emended (additions, deletions, etc.). This approach has great value and has furthered our understanding of the theology and purpose of Chronicles. While this thesis fully affirms this diachronic approach to reading Chronicles, it also finds it to be lacking. This said, I suggest that this predominant way of reading Chronicles through the lens of its source (Kings) sometimes misses the theological and rhetorical features of the Chronicler’s text. In light of this suggestion, this thesis will answer the following question: “why were two narratives retained in the Tanak and what possible answers to this question might emerge by looking at the similarities and differences in the two narratives’ contents, arguments, and theology?” The method by which this question will be addressed is to read the Solomon narratives in the books of Kings and Chronicles in two ways: first, to read each narrative as a whole and independently of one another, and second, to examine each narrative together in an effort to understand their uniqueness. The result of this analysis will show that these narratives can in fact read as whole narratives independent of one ii another, and furthermore, that Solomon is in fact less idealized (contra popular scholarly opinion) in the book of Chronicles. iii CONTENTS ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................. ii DECLARATION ........................................................................................................ iv CONTENTS ................................................................................................................. v ABBREVIATIONS .................................................................................................... ix ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................................................ x CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ………………………………………………........ 1 1.1 Twice-Told Narratives in the Tanak .......................................................... 1 1.2 The Books of Samuel-Kings and Chronicles within the Tanak ................. 3 1.2.1 Two Historical Realities .............................................................. 3 1.2.2 The Current Approaches to Reading Kings and Chronicles ...... 4 1.2.3 The Current Approaches: An Assessment .................................. 9 1.3 Synchronic/Holistic Reading of Biblical Narrative ................................. 10 1.4 Thesis Question and Method .................................................................... 13 CHAPTER 2: SOLOMON IN 1 KINGS 1-11 ........................................................... 17 2.1 Introduction .............................................................................................. 17 2.2 Wisdom, Counsel, and Human Action: Solomon’s Ascent to the Throne (1 Kings 1-2) ....................................................................................................... 18 2.2.1 Counsel and David’s Successor ................................................ 19 2.2.1.1 Adonijah ..................................................................... 20 2.2.1.2 Solomon ...................................................................... 23 2.2.2 David Counsels Solomon (1 Kings 2) ....................................... 26 2.2.2.1 Obedience Commanded (2:1-4) ................................. 27 2.2.2.2 “Use Your Wisdom and…” (2:5-9) ............................ 29 2.2.2.3 Reconciling 2:2-4 and 2:5-9 ...................................... 34 2.3 Solomon Asks for Wisdom (3:1-15) ....................................................... 36 2.3.1 Three Summary Statements (3:1-3) .......................................... 36 2.3.1.1 Solomon and Pharaoh’s Daughter: The Concern for Obedience (3:1) ...................................................................... 36 2.3.1.2 The People, the High Places, and the Temple: The Concern for Worship (3:2) .................................................... 38 v 2.3.1.3 Solomon’s Love for YHWH and the Bamoth: Solomon in Conflict (3:3) ...................................................................... 40 2.3.2 Solomon Chooses Wisdom (3:4-15) ......................................... 42 2.3.2.1 Solomon “Remembers” (3:6-7) .................................. 43 2.3.2.2 Solomon Chooses a “Hearing Heart” ....................... 47 2.3.3 The Worship of YHWH ............................................................ 54 2.3.4 Obedience to YHWH ................................................................ 55 2.3.5 Summary and Evaluation .......................................................... 56 2.4 Solomon’s Rule: The Practice of Solomon’s Wisdom (1 Kings 4 [MT 4:1-5:14]) ............................................................................................... 58 2.4.1 Solomon’s Rule ......................................................................... 58 2.4.2 Solomon’s Wisdom and Subtle Tensions amidst His Kingdom ............................................................................................. 60 2.5 Wisdom and the Worship of YHWH (1 Kings 5-7 [MT 5:15-7:51]) ...... 66 2.6 Solomon’s Wisdom and the Worship of YHWH (1 Kings 8) .................. 69 2.6.1 Solomon and Moses .................................................................. 70 2.6.2 Solomon as the “Son of David” ................................................ 73 2.6.3 Solomon and God (8:22-53) ...................................................... 76 2.6.4 Solomon’s Sacrifices to YHWH ............................................... 79 2.6.5 Summary and Evaluation .......................................................... 81 2.7 Solomon’s Wisdom and Obedience to Torah (1 Kings 9-10) .................. 83 2.7.1 A Second Dream and a Fourth Reminder (9:1-9) ..................... 83 2.7.2 Solomon and the Nations .......................................................... 86 2.7.3 Solomon and Torah ................................................................... 90 2.8 Solomon’s Downfall and Conclusions Regarding Wisdom (1 Kings 11) ....................................................................................................... 97 CHAPTER 3: SOLOMON IN 2 CHRONICLES 1-9 .............................................. 103 3.1 Introduction ............................................................................................ 103 3.2 David’s Final Words to Solomon (1 Chronicles 22, 28, 29) .................. 106 3.2.1 1 Chronicles 22 ....................................................................... 106 3.2.1.1 David’s Charge to Solomon (22:11-13) ................... 107 3.2.2 1 Chronicles 28 ....................................................................... 109 3.2.2.1 David’s Charge to the Leaders (28:1-8) ................. 109 3.2.2.2 David’s Charge to Solomon (28:9-10) .................... 110 vi 3.2.3 1 Chronicles 29 ....................................................................... 116 3.2.4 Summary and Evaluation ....................................................... 121 3.3 The Beginning of Solomon’s Rule ........................................................ 121 3.3.1 Solomon’s Rule Firmly Established (2 Chr. 1:1) .................... 121 3.3.2 Solomon’s First Actions (1:2-13) ............................................ 123 3.3.2.1 Solomon Goes to Gibeon (1:2-6) ............................. 123 3.3.2.2 Solomon Asks for Wisdom (1:7-13) .......................... 125 3.3.3 Solomon’s Wealth (1:12-17) ................................................... 130 3.3.4 Summary and Evaluation ........................................................ 132 3.4 Solomon, Hiram, and the Temple (2 Chr. 2 [MT 1:18-2:17]) .............. 133 3.4.1 The Temple and Solomon’s Leadership/Governing ............... 133 3.4.2 Solomon’s Preparations for the Temple: Two Curious Matters .............................................................................................. 136 3.4.2.1 Solomon and the ge®rˆîm ............................................. 136 3.4.2.2 David and Solomon’s Provisions ............................. 140 3.4.3 Summary and Evaluation ........................................................ 143 3.5 Solomon Builds the Temple (3:1-5:1) ..................................................
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