2 Chronicles 6:27

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.

Then hear {H8085} thou from heaven {H8064}, and forgive {H5545} the sin {H2403} of thy servants {H5650}, and of thy people {H5971} Israel {H3478}, when thou hast taught {H3384} them the good {H2896} way {H1870}, wherein they should walk {H3212}; and send {H5414} rain {H4306} upon thy land {H776}, which thou hast given {H5414} unto thy people {H5971} for an inheritance {H5159}.

hear in heaven, forgive the sin of your servants and of your people Isra'el - since you keep teaching them the good way by which they should live -and send down rain on your land, which you have given your people as their inheritance.

then may You hear from heaven and forgive the sin of Your servants, Your people Israel, so that You may teach them the good way in which they should walk. May You send rain on the land that You gave Your people as an inheritance.

then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, when thou teachest them the good way wherein they should walk; and send rain upon thy land, which thou hast given to thy people for an inheritance.

Commentary on 2 Chronicles 6:27 (KJV)

This verse is part of King Solomon's extensive dedication prayer for the newly built Temple in Jerusalem. In this prayer, Solomon anticipates various situations where the people of Israel might sin and face divine judgment, and he appeals to God's mercy. Specifically, 2 Chronicles 6:27 addresses a scenario of drought, a common consequence of disobedience in the Old Testament.

Context

Following the completion of the magnificent Temple, Solomon leads the nation in a profound prayer of dedication. He presents the Temple not as a dwelling for God, but as a place where God's name resides and where His people can turn in prayer, especially in times of distress or sin. Verses 26-27 specifically deal with the affliction of drought, stating, "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 afflictest them; 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." This highlights the conditional nature of God's blessings based on Israel's obedience and repentance.

Key Themes

  • Divine Forgiveness and Mercy: The verse is a fervent plea for God to "hear from heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants." It underscores God's willingness to extend forgiveness when His people genuinely turn to Him, even after straying. This reflects a core principle of God's character as revealed throughout Scripture (Psalm 103:3).
  • Repentance and Instruction: Forgiveness is linked to being "taught them the good way, wherein they should walk." This implies a recognition of sin, a turning away from it (repentance), and a renewed commitment to living according to God's commands. It's not just about asking for forgiveness but about seeking God's guidance for righteous living (Psalm 25:4).
  • God's Sovereignty Over Nature: The request to "send rain upon thy land" demonstrates the understanding that natural phenomena like rainfall are ultimately under God's control and can be withheld or granted as a sign of His displeasure or favor. Rain was vital for the agricultural society of Israel, signifying blessing and provision (Deuteronomy 11:14).
  • Covenant and Inheritance: The phrase "thy land, which thou hast given unto thy people for an inheritance" emphasizes the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The land of Canaan was a divine gift, a fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham (Genesis 12:7), and its productivity was tied to their faithfulness.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the good way" translates from the Hebrew derekh tov (דרך טוב), which refers to a righteous path, a way of life that is morally upright and in alignment with God's will and commandments. It signifies more than just knowing what is right; it implies walking in that right conduct. The word "inheritance," nachalah (נחלה), underscores the idea that the land was a divinely apportioned possession, a sacred trust from God to His chosen people.

Practical Application

This verse offers timeless lessons for believers today. It reminds us that:

  1. Sin has Consequences: Just as drought was a consequence for Israel's sin, our disobedience can lead to spiritual or relational barrenness.
  2. Repentance is Key to Restoration: God is always willing to forgive when we genuinely confess our sins and turn from them. His desire is for us to learn "the good way" and walk in it.
  3. God Hears Prayer: Like Solomon, we can confidently appeal to God from heaven, knowing He listens to the prayers of His people, especially when they are accompanied by repentance. This principle is famously echoed in God's response to Solomon's prayer in 2 Chronicles 7:14.
  4. Divine Guidance is Essential: We constantly need God to teach us "the good way" in a world full of distractions and temptations. Seeking His wisdom through His Word and prayer is crucial for navigating life righteously.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Kings 8:35

    When heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou afflictest them:

  • 1 Kings 8:36

    Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, that thou teach them the good way wherein they should walk, and give rain upon thy land, which thou hast given to thy people for an inheritance.

  • Psalms 94:12

    ¶ Blessed [is] the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;

  • Zechariah 10:1

    ¶ Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; [so] the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.

  • Jeremiah 5:24

    Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.

  • Jeremiah 6:16

    Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where [is] the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk [therein].

  • John 6:45

    It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
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