Structure of Kings
There is a recurring pattern in Kings, one that matches the structure of embedded narratives I’ve discussed in a forthcoming article in the Tyndale Bulletin:
Solomon builds and dedicates the temple, 1 Ki 6-9 Lord appears to Solomon, warning about proper use of temple, 1 Ki 9 Son’s kingdom divided, 1 Ki 12 Dynasty terminated, 2 Ki 25 Temple destroyed, 2 Ki 25
Jeroboam builds the golden calves, 1 Ki 12 Man of God confronts Jeroboam, 1 Ki 13 Son dies and dynasty overthrown, 1 Ki 14 Shrine destroyed by Josiah, 2 Ki 23
Ahab builds temple, 1 Ki 16 Prophets confront Ahab, 1 Ki 17-2 Ki 8 Son dies, 2 Ki 1 Dynasty overthrown, 2 Ki 9 Temple destroyed by Jehu, 2 Ki 9
At the center of the book, then, is a highly elaborated version of the outer narratives of the Davidic dynasty and of Jeroboam’s Northern kingdom.
Peter Leithart
Peter J. Leithart is President of Theopolis Institute. He is the author of numerous books on theology, literature, and culture, including Theopolitan, Defending Constantine, and Baptized Body.
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