2 Chronicles 6:19

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:

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:

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,

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.

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

Context

This verse is part of King Solomon's extensive prayer of dedication for the newly completed Temple in Jerusalem, a pivotal event in Israelite history. After years of preparation by his father, King David, and seven years of construction under Solomon, the magnificent First Temple was finally ready to serve as the central place of worship and the dwelling place for the Ark of the Covenant. The entire sixth chapter of 2 Chronicles records Solomon's heartfelt intercession, standing before the altar of the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly of Israel. This prayer follows the bringing of the Ark into the Most Holy Place and the glory of the LORD filling the house, signifying God's presence. Solomon's prayer is also found in parallel in 1 Kings 8.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Attentiveness to Prayer: Solomon's primary plea is for God to "have respect" and "hearken unto" his prayer. This expresses a deep yearning for God's active engagement and favorable response to the supplications of His people, not just hearing but responding.
  • Earnestness of Supplication: The repeated use of terms like "prayer," "supplication," and "cry" emphasizes the intensity and multifaceted nature of Solomon's appeal. It highlights a sincere, urgent, and humble posture before God, seeking His mercy and intervention.
  • God's Presence and Accessibility: While the Temple was a physical structure, Solomon understood that God is not confined to it (as stated in 2 Chronicles 6:18). Yet, the Temple served as a designated place where people could come to seek God's face and present their petitions with the expectation of being heard from heaven.
  • Covenant Relationship: Solomon appeals to God based on His covenant relationship with Israel, trusting that the LORD, his God, would honor His promises and listen to His servant.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV's choice of words here conveys Solomon's deep desire for God's attention.

  • "Have respect": The Hebrew word here, nasa (ื ึธืฉึธื‚ื), means to lift up, to bear, or to accept. In this context, it implies God lifting up His face to regard or accept the prayer with favor.
  • "Hearken unto": This translates the Hebrew shama (ืฉึธืืžึทืข), which means not just to hear with the ears, but to listen attentively, to understand, and often, to obey or respond. It implies an active and responsive hearing.
  • "Supplication": The Hebrew tehillah (ืชึฐึผื—ึดื ึธึผื”) refers to a plea for grace, favor, or mercy, often made from a position of humility or need.

Practical Application

Solomon's prayer offers timeless insights for believers today. It encourages us to approach God with earnestness and sincerity, knowing that He is a God who hears and responds. Just as Solomon sought God's attention in the physical Temple, believers can confidently approach God's throne of grace through Christ, knowing that our prayers are heard. This verse reinforces the truth that God is accessible and deeply cares about the cries and supplications of His people, inviting us to pray with faith and persistence, confident in His divine attentiveness. God's promise to hear from heaven is beautifully articulated later in 2 Chronicles 7:14.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 20:1

    ยถ To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;

  • Psalms 20:3

    Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah.

  • Psalms 5:1

    ยถ To the chief Musician upon Nehiloth, A Psalm of David. Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.

  • Psalms 5:2

    Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.

  • Luke 18:1

    ยถ And he spake a parable unto them [to this end], that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

  • Luke 18:7

    And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

  • 1 Kings 8:28

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