Solomon Dedicates the Temple: At the end of the previous episode (5:1) the scene is set for the dedication of the temple. The following episode now deals with this great event, which stands at the center of the Chronicler’s reconstruction of the monarchical past. The dedication of the temple has different elements and is accompanied by speeches, prayers, sacrifices, music, and a theophany. The whole description from 5:2 to 7:22 bears a liturgical character, as if the Chronicler wanted the reader of his history to experience the glory of the temple again and to reenact the worship performed there. This would, of course, have a clear message to the Second Temple cultic community of the Chronicler’s own day.

In this section the Chronicler adhered to the source text in 1 Kings 8:1–9:1 very clos…