002_cudworth_co_498_523 13/02/15 11:26 Pagina 510 510 TROY D. CUDWORTH glect of Solomon. His first article explored how the Chronicler put Solomon in the same positive light as David with regard to divine election, unanimous support by all Israel, and dedication to the cult 36. In a second article, he argued that the Chronicler magnified the character of Solomon the most in his role as “the chosen temple builder”, seen so clearly in his own additions in 1 Chronicles 22, 28, 29 37. As for the main report of Solomon in 2 Chronicles 1–9, Williamson avers that the middle block of chapters in 2 Chronicles 2–8 all concentrate on the temple (cf. 1,18 and 8,16) 38, while the laudatory introductory and concluding material (i.e. 2 Chronicles 1 and 9) discuss features that only find their true expression in its construction 39. Hence, although the Chronicler condemns Re- hoboam for neglecting a major aspect of Israel’s temple cult (i.e. all Israel), he gives Solomon the highest praise for doing his part to establish its practice. 1. Solomon’s labor force Unfortunately, scholars have judged too quickly that the heavy yoke Solomon placed on the people must stand as a contradiction to the Chronicler’s portrayal of him as a good king. Japhet takes this line when she contends that the Chronicler omits all the mate- rial from 1 Kings that would have incriminated him in that regard (e.g. 1 Kgs 5,27-28; 9,15) 40, yet Dillard has shown how he left out not only those details but any report, whether praiseworthy (e.g. 1 Kgs 3,16-28) or condemnatory (e.g. 1 Kgs 11,1-13), that does not commend his work on the temple 41. In fact, the Chronicler con- cludes the account with a candid admission that he has not included everything from Solomon’s reign (2 Chr 9,29, “For the rest […] from 36 R. BRAUN, “Solomonic Apologetic in Chronicles”, JBL 92 (1973) 503- 516. 37 R. BRAUN, “Solomon, the Chosen Temple Builder: The Significance of 1 Chronicles 22, 28, and 29 for the Theology of Chronicles”, JBL 95 (1976) 581-590. 38 I will be using the BHS versification for all references. 39 H.G.M. WILLIAMSON, 1 and 2 Chronicles (London 1982) 192. 40 JAPHET, I & II Chronicles, 653. 41 R.B. DILLARD, “The Chronicler’s Solomon”, WTJ 43 (1981) 289-300, here 291-292.