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Literary structure (chiasmus, chiasm) of Books of Chronicles

Chiasmus and Concentric Structure of divided by 2


2-1

1 Genealogy of Adam (1Ch1:1-27)
  2 Genealogy of Abraham (1Ch1:28-34)
    3 Kings in Edom (1Ch1:35-54)
      4 Genealogy of children of Israel (1Ch2:1-1Ch8:40)
        5 Genealogy of Israel after the captivity (1Ch9:1-44)
          6 Death of Saul and his sons (1Ch10:1-14)
            7 David anointed king of all Israel (1Ch11:1-3)
              8 Jerusalem (1Ch11:4-9)
                9 David's mighty men (1Ch11:10-47)
                  10 David's followers in the wilderness (1Ch12:1-22)
                    11 David's army at Hebron (1Ch12:23-41)
                      12 The Ark brought from Kiriath-jearim (1Ch13:1-14)
                        13 Envoys of Hiram (1Ch14:1-2)
                          14 David's sons (1Ch14:3-7)
                            15 Defeat of the Philistines (1Ch14:8-17)
                              16 The Ark brought to Jerusalem (1Ch15:1-24)
                                17 The Ark placed in the tent (1Ch15:25-1Ch16:7)
                                  18 David's psalm of thanksgiving (1Ch16:8-36)
                                    19 Regular worship maintained (1Ch16:37-45)
                                      20 God's covenant with David (1Ch17:1-15)
                                        21 David's prayer (1Ch17:16-27)
                                      22 Wars against foreign countries (1Ch18:1-13)
                                    23 David's administration (1Ch18:14-17)
                                  24 Defeats of Ammonites and Arameans (1Ch19:1-19)
                                25 Siege and capture of Rabbah (1Ch20:1-3)
                              26 Wars against Rapha (1Ch20:4-8)
                            27 The census and plague (1Ch21:1-30)
                          28 David prepares to build the temple (1Ch22:1-19)
                        29 Families of the Levites and their functions (1Ch23:1-1Ch27:34)
                      30 Solomon instructed to build the temple (1Ch28:1-21)
                    31 Offerings for building the temple (1Ch29:1-20)
                  32 Solomon anointed King (1Ch29:21-25)
                33 Reign of David (1Ch29:26-30)
              34 Solomon's wisdom (2Ch1:1-17)
            35 Preparation for building the temple (2Ch1:18-2Ch2:17)
          36 Solomon builds the temple (2Ch3:1-2Ch4:22)
        37 The ark brought into the temple (2Ch5:1-2Ch6:2)
      38 Dedication of the temple (2Ch6:3-11)
    39 Solomon's prayer of dedication (2Ch6:12-42)
  40 Solomon dedicates the temple (2Ch7:1-11)
41 The words of the LORD (2Ch7:12-22)
Former halfRelationLatter half
1 Genealogy of Adam (1Ch1:1-27)
Genealogy of Adam
Ancestors41 The words of the LORD (2Ch7:12-22)
2Ch7:22 They forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers (2Ch7:22)
2 Genealogy of Abraham (1Ch1:28-34)
Genealogy of Israel
The people of Israel40 Solomon dedicates the temple (2Ch7:1-11)
2Ch7:8 On this occasion Solomon and with him all Israel, who had assembled in very large numbers from Labo of Hamath to the Wadi of Egypt, celebrated the festival for seven days. (2Ch7:8)
3 Kings in Edom (1Ch1:35-54)
1Ch1:43 before they had Israelite kings (1Ch1:43)
Absence of a king39 Solomon's prayer of dedication (2Ch6:12-42)
2Ch6:16 You shall always have someone from your line to sit before me on the throne of Israel, provided only that your descendants look to their conduct so as always to live according to my law, even as you have lived in my presence. (2Ch6:16)
4 Genealogy of children of Israel (1Ch2:1-1Ch8:40)
Genealogy of children of Israel
The people of Israel38 Dedication of the temple (2Ch6:3-11)
2Ch6:3 Then the king turned round and blessed the whole assembly of Israel (2Ch6:3)
5 Genealogy of Israel after the captivity (1Ch9:1-44)
Asaph and Jeduthun (1Ch9:15-16)
Family of Levites37 The ark brought into the temple (2Ch5:1-2Ch6:2)
Asaph and Jeduthun (2Ch5:12)
6 Death of Saul and his sons (1Ch10:1-14)
1Ch10:10 His armor they put in the house of their gods, but his skull they impaled on the temple of Dagon. (1Ch10:10)
Offering to the temple36 Solomon builds the temple (2Ch3:1-2Ch4:22)
2Ch4:19 Solomon had all these articles made for the house of God: the golden altar, the tables on which the showbread lay, (2Ch4:19)
7 David anointed king of all Israel (1Ch11:1-3)
1Ch11:3 they anointed him king over Israel, in accordance with the word of the LORD as revealed through Samuel. (1Ch11:3)
To become a king35 Preparation for building the temple (2Ch1:18-2Ch2:17)
2Ch2:10 Because the LORD loves his people, he has placed you over them as king." (2Ch2:10)
8 Jerusalem (1Ch11:4-9)
1Ch11:9 David became more and more powerful, for the LORD of hosts was with him. (1Ch11:9)
The LORD was with him34 Solomon's wisdom (2Ch1:1-17)
2Ch1:1 Solomon, son of David, strengthened his hold on the kingdom, for the LORD, his God, was with him, constantly making him more renowned. (2Ch1:1)
9 David's mighty men (1Ch11:10-47)
1Ch11:10 These were David's chief warriors who, together with all Israel, supported him in his reign in order to make him true king, even as the LORD had commanded concerning Israel. (1Ch11:10)
Reign of David33 Reign of David (1Ch29:26-30)
1Ch29:30 together with the particulars of his reign and valor, and of the events that affected him and all Israel and all the kingdoms of the surrounding lands.(1Ch29:30)
10 David's followers in the wilderness (1Ch12:1-22)
1Ch12:1 The following men came to David in Ziklag while he was still under banishment from Saul, son of Kish; they, too, were among the warriors who helped him in his battles. (1Ch12:1)
Warriors32 Solomon anointed King (1Ch29:21-25)
1Ch29:24 All the leaders and warriors, and also all the other sons of King David, swore allegiance to King Solomon. (1Ch29:24)
11 David's army at Hebron (1Ch12:23-41)
1Ch12:41 Moreover, their neighbors from as far as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali came bringing food on asses, camels, mules, and oxen--provisions in great quantity of meal, pressed figs, raisins, wine, oil, oxen, and sheep. For there was rejoicing in Israel.(1Ch12:41)
Offerings31 Offerings for building the temple (1Ch29:1-20)
1Ch29:7 and contributed for the service of the house of God five thousand talents and ten thousand darics of gold, ten thousand talents of silver, eighteen thousand talents of bronze, and one hundred thousand talents of iron. (1Ch29:7)
12 The Ark brought from Kiriath-jearim (1Ch13:1-14)
1Ch13:3 and let us bring the ark of our God here among us, for in the days of Saul we did not visit it. (1Ch13:3)
The ark30 Solomon instructed to build the temple (1Ch28:1-21)
1Ch28:2 It was my purpose to build a house of repose myself for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, the footstool for the feet of our God; and I was preparing to build it.(1Ch28:2)
13 Envoys of Hiram (1Ch14:1-2)
1Ch14:2 David now understood that the LORD had truly confirmed him as king over Israel, for his kingdom was greatly exalted for the sake of his people Israel. (1Ch14:2)
The people of Israel29 Families of the Levites and their functions (1Ch23:1-1Ch27:34)
List of the people
14 David's sons (1Ch14:3-7)
David's sons
Children of David28 David prepares to build the temple (1Ch22:1-19)
1Ch22:5 who said: "My son Solomon is young and immature; but the house that is to be built for the LORD must be made so magnificent that it will be renowned and glorious in all countries. Therefore I will make preparations for it." (1Ch22:5)
15 Defeat of the Philistines (1Ch14:8-17)
1Ch14:16 David did as God commanded him, and they routed the Philistine army from Gibeon to Gezer. (1Ch14:16)
Faith of David27 The census and plague (1Ch21:1-30)
1Ch21:8 Then David said to God, "I have sinned greatly in doing this thing. Take away your servants guilt, for I have acted very foolishly." (1Ch21:8)
16 The Ark brought to Jerusalem (1Ch15:1-24)
List of Levites
List of people26 Wars against Rapha (1Ch20:4-8)
David's mighty men
17 The Ark placed in the tent (1Ch15:25-1Ch16:7)
1Ch15:27 David was clothed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who carried the ark, the singers, and Chenaniah, the leader of the chant; David was also wearing a linen ephod. (1Ch15:27)
Clothing of David25 Siege and capture of Rabbah (1Ch20:1-3)
1Ch20:2 David took the crown of Milcom from the idols head. (1Ch20:2)
18 David's psalm of thanksgiving (1Ch16:8-36)
1Ch16:35 And say, "Save us, O God, our savior, gather us and deliver us from the nations, That we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in praising you." (1Ch16:35)
Wars against nations24 Defeats of Ammonites and Arameans (1Ch19:1-19)
1Ch19:9 The Ammonites marched out and lined up for a battle at the gate of the city, while the kings who had come to their help remained apart in the open field.(1Ch19:9)
19 Regular worship maintained (1Ch16:37-45)
List of Levites
List of vassal23 David's administration (1Ch18:14-17)
List of David's administration
20 God's covenant with David (1Ch17:1-15)
1Ch17:10 and during all the time when I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will subdue all your enemies. Moreover, I declare to you that I, the LORD, will build you a house; (1Ch17:10)
Victory against enemies22 Wars against foreign countries (1Ch18:1-13)
1Ch18:13 He set up garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became Davids subjects. Thus the LORD made David victorious in all his campaigns. (1Ch18:13)

2-2

41 The words of the LORD (2Ch7:12-22)
  42 Solomon's great wealth (2Ch8:1-18)
    43 The queen of Sheba (2Ch9:1-12)
      44 Solomon's great wealth (2Ch9:13-31)
        45 The revolt against Rehoboam (2Ch10:1-19)
          46 Political measures of Rehoboam (2Ch11:1-17)
            47 Rehoboam's marriages (2Ch11:18-23)
              48 Egypt attacks Judah (2Ch12:1-12)
                49 Reign of Rehoboam (2Ch12:13-16)
                  50 Abijah (2Ch13:1-22)
                    51 Asa (2Ch13:23-2Ch14:6)
                      52 Ethiopian invasion repulsed (2Ch14:7-14)
                        53 The Reforms of Asa (2Ch15:1-19)
                          54 Invasion of Israel (2Ch16:1-14)
                            55 Jehoshaphat (2Ch17:1-19)
                              56 Prophecy of Micaiah (2Ch18:1-34)
                                57 The Reforms of Jehoshaphat (2Ch19:1-11)
                                  58 Invasion from the east (2Ch20:1-30)
                                    59 Reign of Jehoshaphat (2Ch20:31-37)
                                      60 Jehoram killed his brothers (2Ch21:1-4)
                                        61 Jehoram (2Ch21:5-20)
                                      62 Ahaziah (2Ch22:1-9)
                                    63 Athaliah seizes the throne (2Ch22:10-12)
                                  64 Athaliah (2Ch23:1-21)
                                65 The Reforms of Joash (2Ch24:1-16)
                              66 Apostasy of Joash (2Ch24:17-27)
                            67 Amaziah (2Ch25:1-2Ch26:2)
                          68 Uzziah (2Ch26:3-23)
                        69 Jotham (2Ch27:1-9)
                      70 Ahaz (2Ch28:1-27)
                    71 Hezekiah (2Ch29:1-2Ch31:21)
                  72 Sennacherib's invasion (2Ch32:1-33)
                73 Manasseh (2Ch33:1-20)
              74 Amon (2Ch33:21-25)
            75 Josiah (2Ch34:1-2Ch35:19)
          76 Neco's invasion (2Ch35:20-27_2Ch36:1)
        77 Jehoahaz (2Ch36:2-4)
      78 Jehoiakim (2Ch36:5-8)
    79 Jehoiachin (2Ch36:9-10)
  80 Zedekiah (2Ch36:11-21)
81 Cyrus (2Ch36:22-23)
Former halfRelationLatter half
41 The words of the LORD (2Ch7:12-22)
2Ch7:16 And now I have chosen and consecrated this house that my name may be there forever; my eyes and my heart also shall be there always. (2Ch7:16)
The temple of the LORD81 Cyrus (2Ch36:22-23)
2Ch36:23 he has also charged me to build him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. (2Ch36:23)
42 Solomon's great wealth (2Ch8:1-18)
2Ch8:16 the house of the LORD had been completed in every detail. (2Ch8:16)
The temple was completed / destroyed80 Zedekiah (2Ch36:11-21)
2Ch36:18 All the utensils of the house of God, the large and the small, and the treasures of the LORD'S house and of the king and his princes, all these he brought to Babylon. (2Ch36:18)
43 The queen of Sheba (2Ch9:1-12)
2Ch9:9 Then she gave the king one hundred and twenty gold talents and a very large quantity of spices, as well as precious stones. (2Ch9:9)
Obtaining / losing treasures79 Jehoiachin (2Ch36:9-10)
2Ch36:10 King Nebuchadnezzar sent for him and had him brought to Babylon, along with precious vessels from the temple of the LORD (2Ch36:10)
44 Solomon's great wealth (2Ch9:13-31)
2Ch9:24 Year in and year out, each one would bring his tribute-silver and gold articles, garments, weapons, spices, horses and mules.(2Ch9:24)
Obtaining / losing treasures78 Jehoiakim (2Ch36:5-8)
2Ch36:7 Nebuchadnezzar also carried away to Babylon some of the vessels of the house of the LORD and put them in his palace in Babylon. (2Ch36:7)
45 The revolt against Rehoboam (2Ch10:1-19)
2Ch10:2 When Jeroboam, son of Nebat, heard of this in Egypt where he had fled from King Solomon, he returned from Egypt. (2Ch10:2)
Egypt77 Jehoahaz (2Ch36:2-4)
2Ch36:4 Neco took his brother Jehoahaz away and brought him to Egypt. (2Ch36:4)
46 Political measures of Rehoboam (2Ch11:1-17)
2Ch11:4 You must not march out to fight against your brothers. (2Ch11:4)
The LORD commanded to stop fighting76 Neco's invasion (2Ch35:20-27_2Ch36:1)
2Ch35:22 Therefore he would not listen to the words of Neco that came from the mouth of God, but went out to fight in the plain of Megiddo. (2Ch35:22)
47 Rehoboam's marriages (2Ch11:18-23)
2Ch11:23 He acted prudently, distributing various of his sons throughout all the districts of Judah and Benjamin, in all the fortified cities (2Ch11:23)
Policies for the land of Israel75 Josiah (2Ch34:1-2Ch35:19)
2Ch34:7 he destroyed the altars, broke up the sacred poles and carved images and beat them into dust, and tore down the incense stands throughout the land of Israel. (2Ch34:7)
48 Egypt attacks Judah (2Ch12:1-12)
2Ch12:2 for they had been unfaithful to the LORD.(2Ch12:2)
Evilness of kings74 Amon (2Ch33:21-25)
2Ch33:22 He did evil in the sight of the LORD, (2Ch33:22)
49 Reign of Rehoboam (2Ch12:13-16)
2Ch12:13 Jerusalem, the city chosen by Yahweh from all the tribes of Israel to put his name there (2Ch12:13)
Jerusalem and the name of the LORD73 Manasseh (2Ch33:1-20)
2Ch33:4 He even built altars in the temple of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, "In Jerusalem shall my name be forever": (2Ch33:4)
50 Abijah (2Ch13:1-22)
2Ch13:15 Then the men of Judah shouted; and when they did so, God defeated Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah. (2Ch13:15)
Victory by the LORD72 Sennacherib's invasion (2Ch32:1-33)
2Ch32:21 Then the LORD sent an angel, who destroyed every valiant warrior, leader and commander in the camp of the Assyrian king, so that he had to return shamefaced to his own country. (2Ch32:21)
51 Asa (2Ch13:23-2Ch14:6)
The Reforms of Asa
The Reforms71 Hezekiah (2Ch29:1-2Ch31:21)
The Reforms of Hezekiah
52 Ethiopian invasion repulsed (2Ch14:7-14)
2Ch14:11 And so the LORD defeated the Ethiopians before Asa and Judah, and they fled.(2Ch14:11)
Wars against foreign countries70 Ahaz (2Ch28:1-27)
2Ch28:5 Therefore the LORD, his God, delivered him into the power of the king of Aram. (2Ch28:5)
53 The Reforms of Asa (2Ch15:1-19)
2Ch15:17 Although the high places did not disappear from Israel, yet Asa's heart was undivided as long as he lived. (2Ch15:17)
Righteousness of kings69 Jotham (2Ch27:1-9)
2Ch27:2 He pleased the LORD just as his father Uzziah had done (2Ch27:2)
54 Invasion of Israel (2Ch16:1-14)
2Ch16:12 Asa contracted a serious disease in his feet. (2Ch16:12)
Disease of kings68 Uzziah (2Ch26:3-23)
2Ch26:21 King Uzziah remained a leper to the day of his death. (2Ch26:21)
55 Jehoshaphat (2Ch17:1-19)
2Ch17:14 This was their mustering according to their ancestral houses. Of Judah, the commanders of thousands: Adnah the commander, and with him three hundred thousand valiant warriors. (2Ch17:14)
Number of soldiers67 Amaziah (2Ch25:1-2Ch26:2)
2Ch25:5 When he had counted those of twenty years and over, he found them to be three hundred thousand picked men fit for war, capable of handling lance and shield. (2Ch25:5)
56 Prophecy of Micaiah (2Ch18:1-34)
2Ch18:26 and say, 'This is the king's order: Put this man in prison and feed him scanty rations of bread and water until I return in safety!'" (2Ch18:26)
Persecution against prophets66 Apostasy of Joash (2Ch24:17-27)
2Ch24:21 But they conspired against him, and at the king's order they stoned him to death in the court of the LORD'S temple. (2Ch24:21)
57 The Reforms of Jehoshaphat (2Ch19:1-11)
The Reforms of Jehoshaphat
The Reforms65 The Reforms of Joash (2Ch24:1-16)
The Reforms of Joash
58 Invasion from the east (2Ch20:1-30)
2Ch20:30 Thereafter Jehoshaphat's kingdom enjoyed peace, for his God gave him rest on every side.(2Ch20:30)
Peace64 Athaliah (2Ch23:1-21)
2Ch23:21 All the people of the land rejoiced and the city was quiet, now that Athaliah had been put to death by the sword.(2Ch23:21)
59 Reign of Jehoshaphat (2Ch20:31-37)
Ahaziah, the king of Israel
Ahaziah63 Athaliah seizes the throne (2Ch22:10-12)
Ahaziah, the king of Judah
60 Jehoram killed his brothers (2Ch21:1-4)
2Ch21:4 When Jehoram had come into his father's kingdom and had consolidated his power, he put to the sword all his brothers and also some of the princes of Israel.(2Ch21:4)
Downfall of royal family62 Ahaziah (2Ch22:1-9)
2Ch22:9 There remained in Ahaziah's house no one powerful enough to wield the kingship.(2Ch22:9)

Citations of the Bible are from New American Bible, New Revised Standard Version and New Jerusalem Bible.

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Literary Structure of the Bible by Hajime Murai is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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