2 Chronicles6

King Solomon dedicates the newly built Temple, acknowledging God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promise to David. He offers a profound prayer, asking God to hear and forgive His people when they turn towards this house in various times of distress or sin. Solomon petitions God to maintain His covenant, judge righteously, and extend mercy to Israel and even to strangers who seek Him.
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Solomon’s Address on the Temple

1
Then said Solomon, The LORD hath said that he would dwell in the thick darkness. ​
2
But I have built an house of habitation for thee, and a place for thy dwelling for ever. ​
3
And the king turned his face, and blessed the whole congregation of Israel: and all the congregation of Israel stood.
4
And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who hath with his hands fulfilled that which he spake with his mouth to my father David, saying, ​
5
Since the day that I brought forth my people out of the land of Egypt I chose no city among all the tribes of Israel to build an house in, that my name might be there; neither chose I any man to be a ruler over my people Israel: ​
6
But I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there; and have chosen David to be over my people Israel.
7
Now it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.
8
But the LORD said to David my father, Forasmuch as it was in thine heart to build an house for my name, thou didst well in that it was in thine heart:
9
Notwithstanding thou shalt not build the house; but thy son which shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house for my name.
10
The LORD therefore hath performed his word that he hath spoken: for I am risen up in the room of David my father, and am set on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built the house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.
11
And in it have I put the ark, wherein is the covenant of the LORD, that he made with the children of Israel.

Solomon Assumes the Posture of Prayer

12
And he stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands: ​
13
For Solomon had made a brasen scaffold, of five cubits long, and five cubits broad, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court: and upon it he stood, and kneeled down upon his knees before all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven, ​
14
And said, O LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee in the heaven, nor in the earth; which keepest covenant, and shewest mercy unto thy servants, that walk before thee with all their hearts: ​
15
Thou which hast kept with thy servant David my father that which thou hast promised him; and spakest with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with thine hand, as it is this day.
16
Now therefore, O LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that which thou hast promised him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit upon the throne of Israel; yet so that thy children take heed to their way to walk in my law, as thou hast walked before me.
17
Now then, O LORD God of Israel, let thy word be verified, which thou hast spoken unto thy servant David.

The Dedicatory Prayer: The Paradox of God’s Presence

18
But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built! ​
19
Have respect therefore to the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and the prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee:
20
That thine eyes may be open upon this house day and night, upon the place whereof thou hast said that thou wouldest put thy name there; to hearken unto the prayer which thy servant prayeth toward this place. ​
21
Hearken therefore unto the supplications of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, which they shall make toward this place: hear thou from thy dwelling place, even from heaven; and when thou hearest, forgive. ​

Petitions for Justice and Repentance

22
If a man sin against his neighbour, and an oath be laid upon him to make him swear, and the oath come before thine altar in this house; ​
23
Then hear thou from heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, by requiting the wicked, by recompensing his way upon his own head; and by justifying the righteous, by giving him according to his righteousness.
24
And if thy people Israel be put to the worse before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee; and shall return and confess thy name, and pray and make supplication before thee in this house; ​
25
Then hear thou from the heavens, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which thou gavest to them and to their fathers.
26
When the heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; yet if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou dost afflict them; ​
27
Then hear thou from heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, when thou hast taught them the good way, wherein they should walk; and send rain upon thy land, which thou hast given unto thy people for an inheritance.
28
If there be dearth in the land, if there be pestilence, if there be blasting, or mildew, locusts, or caterpillers; if their enemies besiege them in the cities of their land; whatsoever sore or whatsoever sickness there be: ​
29
Then what prayer or what supplication soever shall be made of any man, or of all thy people Israel, when every one shall know his own sore and his own grief, and shall spread forth his hands in this house:
30
Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men:)
31
That they may fear thee, to walk in thy ways, so long as they live in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers.

Prayer for the Stranger

32
Moreover concerning the stranger, which is not of thy people Israel, but is come from a far country for thy great name's sake, and thy mighty hand, and thy stretched out arm; if they come and pray in this house; ​
33
Then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for; that all people of the earth may know thy name, and fear thee, as doth thy people Israel, and may know that this house which I have built is called by thy name.
34
If thy people go out to war against their enemies by the way that thou shalt send them, and they pray unto thee toward this city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name; ​
35
Then hear thou from the heavens their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause.

Prayer for Captives and Exile

36
If they sin against thee, (for there is no man which sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them over before their enemies, and they carry them away captives unto a land far off or near; ​
37
Yet if they bethink themselves in the land whither they are carried captive, and turn and pray unto thee in the land of their captivity, saying, We have sinned, we have done amiss, and have dealt wickedly; ​
38
If they return to thee with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, whither they have carried them captives, and pray toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, and toward the city which thou hast chosen, and toward the house which I have built for thy name: ​
39
Then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, their prayer and their supplications, and maintain their cause, and forgive thy people which have sinned against thee.

Final Appeal and Conclusion

40
Now, my God, let, I beseech thee, thine eyes be open, and let thine ears be attent unto the prayer that is made in this place. ​
41
Now therefore arise, O LORD God, into thy resting place, thou, and the ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness. ​
42
O LORD God, turn not away the face of thine anointed: remember the mercies of David thy servant. ​

Study Notes for 2 Chronicles 6

Verse 1

Solomon affirms that the Temple, despite being physical, is where the transcendent God (who dwells in 'thick darkness,' symbolizing mystery and majesty) chooses to manifest his presence.

Verse 2

The term 'house of habitation' emphasizes that this structure is not a home for God (who is omnipresent) but a designated, permanent place where Israel can meet Him according to His covenant terms.

Verse 4

This opening blessing highlights the Chronicler's emphasis on the reliability of God's word, celebrating the fulfillment of the covenant stipulations made with David (2 Sam 7).

Verse 5

Solomon contrasts the past, where God had no fixed dwelling place among the tribes, with the definitive choices of Jerusalem (v. 6) and the Davidic ruling dynasty.

Verse 12

Solomon stands before the altar, signifying his unique role as the anointed king and mediator leading the people in this foundational religious ceremony.

Verse 13

The 'brasen scaffold' was a special elevated platform built specifically for the king to address and lead the vast assembly in prayer, ensuring he was visible and audible to all.

Verse 14

The prayer begins with a classic declaration of Yahweh’s uniqueness (monotheism) and faithfulness, rooted in His covenant-keeping nature (*hesed*, 'mercy' or lovingkindness).

Verse 18

This rhetorical question expresses the profound theological paradox: an infinite God cannot be contained by any structure, yet He voluntarily condescends to meet humanity in a specific, defined space.

Verse 20

Solomon asks that God’s focus be on the Temple not because of the building itself, but because God has chosen to 'put his name there,' signifying His authority and accessibility.

Verse 21

The critical link is established: prayer directed toward this place will be heard from God’s true dwelling place—heaven—and will result in divine forgiveness.

Verse 22

This introduces the first scenario: judicial disputes requiring an oath before the altar. Solomon prays that God will intervene to reveal truth and dispense justice between parties.

Verse 24

The second scenario addresses military defeat, acknowledging that such loss is often divine judgment resulting from sin. Restoration is conditioned upon repentance and prayer toward the Temple.

Verse 26

The third scenario addresses drought, a sign of covenant curse (Deut 28). The turning point is confession, turning from sin, and prayer toward the Temple.

Verse 28

The fourth scenario covers widespread disasters (famine, pestilence, blight). This section emphasizes that God hears the individual’s private grief when they turn toward the place of His Name.

Verse 32

This fifth scenario demonstrates the universal scope of God's covenant, anticipating that the Temple would attract gentiles who recognize Yahweh, ensuring that God’s name is known globally.

Verse 34

The sixth scenario addresses offensive warfare undertaken by God's command. The people are to pray toward the city and the Temple for divine support and victory in battle.

Verse 36

This seventh and most poignant scenario anticipates the future judgment of exile, acknowledging the tragic inevitability of sin ('there is no man which sinneth not').

Verse 37

This passage provides the theological blueprint for repentance during the Babylonian exile. The necessary conditions are genuine confession and turning back to God.

Verse 38

The condition for restoration is praying toward the land, the city, and the house—the physical focal points of God's covenant promises, even when geographically distant.

Verse 40

Solomon shifts from specific scenarios to a general plea for God’s continuous attention to the prayers offered at this holy site, summarizing the purpose of the Temple.

Verse 41

This concluding doxology quotes Psalm 132:8-10, invoking the movement of the Ark ('resting place') and appealing for the spiritual welfare of the priests and the people (saints).

Verse 42

The final request anchors the entire prayer in the eternal Davidic Covenant. Solomon asks God to remember not his own merit, but the unconditional promises made to 'David thy servant.'

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