2 Chronicles 6:19

KJV

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:

KJV (with Strong's)

Have respect {H6437} therefore to the prayer {H8605} of thy servant {H5650}, and to his supplication {H8467}, O LORD {H3068} my God {H430}, to hearken {H8085} unto the cry {H7440} and the prayer {H8605} which thy servant {H5650} prayeth {H6419} before {H6440} thee:

Complete Jewish Bible

Even so, ADONAI my God, pay attention to your servant's prayer and plea, listen to the cry and prayer that your servant is praying before you,

Berean Standard Bible

Yet regard the prayer and plea of Your servant, O LORD my God, so that You may hear the cry and the prayer that Your servant is praying before You.

American Standard Version

Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O Jehovah my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 2 Chronicles 6:19, King Solomon, during the dedication of the newly completed Temple, earnestly appeals to God to favorably receive and actively respond to the prayers and supplications offered by His servant. This verse encapsulates Solomon's profound desire for divine attentiveness, emphasizing the sincerity and urgency with which he seeks God's merciful engagement with the petitions of His people, particularly those directed toward this sacred dwelling place.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal part of Solomon's extensive and heartfelt prayer of dedication for the First Temple, recorded in [2 Chronicles 6](/2_chronicles/6 "2 Chronicles 6 - Solomon's Prayer of Dedication") and paralleled in [1 Kings 8](/1_kings/8 "1 Kings 8 - Solomon's Prayer at the Temple Dedication"). Immediately preceding this verse, Solomon acknowledges God's transcendence, stating that "the heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built!" ([2 Chronicles 6:18](/2_chronicles/6-18 "2 Chronicles 6:18 - God's Transcendence")). Yet, he immediately follows with the plea in verse 19, asking God to fix His "eyes toward this house day and night" ([2 Chronicles 6:20](/2_chronicles/6-20 "2 Chronicles 6:20 - God's Eyes on the Temple")), signifying the Temple as a designated point of contact for divine attention. This particular verse forms the foundational request for God to hear and respond to all subsequent specific petitions that follow in the prayer, which address various national calamities and individual needs.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The dedication of Solomon's Temple marked a monumental event in Israelite history, fulfilling King David's long-cherished desire to build a permanent dwelling place for the Ark of the Covenant and the presence of the LORD. For centuries, Israel had worshipped at the Tabernacle, a portable sanctuary. The Temple, built in Jerusalem, symbolized the establishment of God's covenant presence among His people in a fixed, magnificent structure. It was designed to be the central place of worship, sacrifice, and pilgrimage for all Israel. Culturally, the act of a king offering such a public, intercessory prayer was common in the ancient Near East, but Solomon's prayer uniquely emphasizes God's covenant faithfulness and the spiritual rather than magical efficacy of the Temple. The people understood the Temple as the place where God's name would dwell, providing a focal point for their prayers and a tangible representation of their relationship with the Almighty.

* **Key Themes:** Solomon's prayer, and specifically [2 Chronicles 6:19](/2_chronicles/6-19 "2 Chronicles 6:19 - Solomon's Plea for Attentive Hearing"), contributes to several key themes. Firstly, it highlights the **Divine Attentiveness to Prayer**, emphasizing God's willingness to hear and respond to His people's cries, not merely as a passive listener but as an active participant in their lives. Secondly, it underscores the **Significance of the Temple as a Place of Encounter**, serving as a designated, though not exclusive, point for Israel to seek God's face and present their petitions with the expectation of being heard from heaven. Thirdly, the repeated use of terms for prayer underscores the **Earnestness and Humility of Supplication**, demonstrating a sincere, urgent, and multifaceted appeal to God. Finally, the prayer is deeply rooted in the **Covenant Relationship** between God and Israel, trusting that the "LORD my God" ([2 Chronicles 6:19](/2_chronicles/6-19 "2 Chronicles 6:19 - Solomon's Plea for Attentive Hearing")) would honor His promises and listen to His chosen servant and people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Have respect (Hebrew, _nasa'_):** The verb נָשָׂא (_nasa'_) literally means "to lift up," "to bear," or "to carry." In this context, it carries the nuance of lifting up one's face or attention to regard something with favor or acceptance. Solomon is not merely asking God to hear his prayer by chance, but to actively turn His divine gaze upon it, to acknowledge it, and to receive it with a positive disposition, implying a readiness to act upon it.
* **Hearken unto (Hebrew, _shama'_):** The Hebrew verb שָׁמַע (_shama'_) is far richer than a simple auditory "hear." It encompasses listening attentively, understanding, and often, responding or obeying. When applied to God, it means that He not only perceives the sound of the prayer but comprehends its content, its underlying need, and is prepared to act in accordance with His will and covenant promises. It signifies an active, responsive hearing, implying divine engagement.
* **Supplication (Hebrew, _tehillah_):** The noun תְּחִנָּה (_tehillah_) specifically denotes a plea for grace, favor, or mercy. It often implies a request made from a position of humility, need, or dependence, highlighting the petitioner's reliance on God's unmerited kindness rather than any inherent right or merit. It emphasizes the earnest, often desperate, nature of the appeal.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Have respect therefore to the prayer of thy servant":** Solomon, in a posture of humility and service, entreats God to turn His favorable attention toward his specific prayer. The phrase "thy servant" underscores his position of dependence and obedience before the sovereign LORD.
* **"and to his supplication, O LORD my God":** This clause intensifies the plea, adding "supplication" to "prayer," indicating a deep, earnest request for mercy and grace. The direct address "O LORD my God" highlights Solomon's personal relationship with God, appealing to Him based on their covenant bond.
* **"to hearken unto the cry and the prayer":** This further reiterates and amplifies the request for God's active and responsive hearing. The inclusion of "cry" (often denoting a fervent, urgent, or even distressed appeal) alongside "prayer" emphasizes the depth and various forms of earnest communication Solomon is presenting.
* **"which thy servant prayeth before thee":** This final phrase grounds the prayer in the immediate context of the Temple dedication, emphasizing that this is a direct address to God, offered in His designated dwelling place, in His very presence. It reinforces the sincerity and directness of Solomon's intercession.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several literary devices to convey the intensity and sincerity of Solomon's plea. **Repetition** is prominent, with variations of "prayer" appearing multiple times ("prayer," "supplication," "cry," "prayer"), underscoring the earnestness and multifaceted nature of Solomon's appeal. This reiteration serves to emphasize the central theme of divine attentiveness to human petition. **Parallelism** is also evident in the structure, particularly in phrases like "prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication" and "cry and the prayer," where synonymous terms are used to reinforce the same core idea, adding depth and poetic rhythm to the request. Furthermore, the direct address "O LORD my God" is an example of **Apostrophe**, a rhetorical device where the speaker directly addresses an absent or abstract entity, lending a personal and fervent tone to the intercession.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Solomon's prayer in 2 Chronicles 6:19 is a profound theological statement about the nature of God and the efficacy of prayer. It affirms God as a personal, attentive, and responsive deity who actively "hearkens unto" the cries of His people. While the Temple served as a physical focal point, Solomon understood that God is not confined to human structures ([2 Chronicles 6:18](/2_chronicles/6-18 "2 Chronicles 6:18 - God's Transcendence")), yet He graciously condescends to meet with His people there. This verse establishes a foundational truth: God desires communion with humanity and invites sincere, humble supplication. It speaks to God's covenant faithfulness, demonstrating His commitment to hear and act on behalf of those who call upon Him in truth, reinforcing the accessibility of the divine.

* [Psalm 65:2](/psalms/65-2 "Psalm 65:2 - O You who hear prayer, to You all flesh will come.")
* [Isaiah 56:7](/isaiah/56-7 "Isaiah 56:7 - My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.")
* [1 John 5:14-15](/1_john/5-14 "1 John 5:14-15 - Confidence in Prayer")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Solomon's earnest plea in 2 Chronicles 6:19 offers timeless lessons for believers today. It calls us to examine the depth and sincerity of our own prayer lives. Do we approach God with the same earnestness, humility, and multifaceted appeal as Solomon? His prayer reminds us that God is not a distant, indifferent deity, but one who actively "has respect" and "hearkens unto" our prayers. This should instill in us profound confidence to draw near to God's throne of grace, knowing that He desires to hear and respond. Just as the Temple was a place of divine encounter for Israel, believers today, through Christ, have even greater access to God's presence. Our prayers, offered in faith and sincerity, are not merely words cast into the void but are received by a God who cares deeply about our "cry and the prayer." This verse encourages persistent, heartfelt prayer, trusting in God's attentive and responsive nature.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Solomon's multifaceted use of terms for "prayer" challenge my understanding of what it means to truly pray?**
* **In what specific ways do I need to cultivate a greater sense of earnestness and humility in my own supplications to God?**
* **How does the truth that God "hearkens unto" our prayers impact my confidence and persistence in prayer, especially during difficult times?**

### FAQ
**Why does Solomon use so many different words for "prayer" in this verse?**

Answer: Solomon's repeated use of terms like "prayer," "supplication," and "cry" is not redundant but serves to convey the intensity, multifaceted nature, and profound earnestness of his appeal to God. Each word adds a slightly different nuance: "prayer" (תְּפִלָּה, _tefillah_) is a general term for petition; "supplication" (תְּחִנָּה, _tehillah_) emphasizes a plea for grace or mercy from a humble position; and "cry" (רִנָּה, _rinnah_) suggests a fervent, urgent, or even distressed appeal. By using these various terms, Solomon expresses the full spectrum of his heartfelt desire for God's attentive and responsive hearing, demonstrating that his request is not a mere formality but a deep, urgent pouring out of his soul before the LORD. It highlights the sincerity and comprehensive nature of his intercession on behalf of himself and the people of Israel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Solomon's earnest plea for God to "have respect" and "hearken unto" the prayers offered toward the Temple finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the Temple was a physical structure where God's presence symbolically dwelt and where prayers were directed, Christ Himself is the true and ultimate Temple, the dwelling place of God in human flesh ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus, the True Temple")). Solomon's desire for God's attentive ear, facilitated by a physical building, foreshadows the perfect and direct access believers now have to God through Christ. Jesus, our Great High Priest, perpetually intercedes for us before the Father's throne ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Jesus Always Lives to Intercede")), ensuring that our prayers are not only heard but also presented with divine favor. The confidence Solomon sought—that God would hear from heaven—is now fully realized in the New Covenant, where we can "draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence")). Through His sacrifice, Jesus has opened "a new and living way" ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Confidence to Enter the Holy Place")) for all who call upon God, making the divine attentiveness Solomon longed for a present reality for every believer.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.