“‘Wait–I Thought We Were Supposed to Pull Their Hair?’: The Chronicler’s Surprisingly Positive View of Foreigners in Solomon’s Seven Scenario Prayer Prayer (2 Chron. 6:32-33)”

I’m presenting an academic paper at the Society of Biblical Literature meeting in Boston on this topic.

Abstract: “As post-exilic texts with similar perspectives, the Chronicler is often connect with the author of Ezra-Nehemiah.  If so, how do we reconcile the negative perspective on foreigners in EN, with their surprisingly positive portrayal in Solomon’s prayer of 2 Chron. 6:32-33?  He prays that Yahweh not only hear their prayer, but also grant their requests.  While the Chronicler modifies other aspects of Solomon’s dedication prayer from 1 Kings 8, he makes few changes to the source here. What does Solomon’s prayer for foreigners reveal about the Chronicler’s view of how rulers should exercise spiritual authority to make Israel great again?”