2 Chronicles 6:35

Then hear thou from the heavens their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause.

Then hear {H8085} thou from the heavens {H8064} their prayer {H8605} and their supplication {H8467}, and maintain {H6213} their cause {H4941}.

then, from heaven, hear their prayer and plea, and uphold their cause.

then may You hear from heaven their prayer and their plea, and may You uphold their cause.

then hear thou from heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 6:35 is part of King Solomon's magnificent dedicatory prayer for the newly built Temple in Jerusalem. This specific verse anticipates a scenario where the people of Israel might go out to battle against their enemies and pray to God, even when not physically present at the Temple. Solomon appeals to God's divine attentiveness and intervention on behalf of His people.

Context

This verse is one of several conditional petitions within Solomon's prayer (2 Chronicles 6:12-42). Solomon envisions various future situations where the people might sin, face defeat, famine, or plague, and then turn to God in repentance and prayer. In this particular instance (verses 34-35), he addresses the situation of Israel going to war against an enemy, praying towards the Temple from their location. Solomon's prayer is a profound testament to the role of the Temple as a focal point for the nation's spiritual life and a place where God's presence was invoked, even if God Himself transcends any physical dwelling.

Key Themes

  • Divine Attentiveness to Prayer: The repeated plea, "hear thou from the heavens," underscores the belief that God is active and responsive to the prayers of His people, regardless of their physical location. This theme is central to the entire prayer and highlights God's covenant faithfulness.
  • God as Defender and Advocate: To "maintain their cause" (Hebrew: mishpat) means for God to uphold their right, defend them, or grant them justice in their conflict. It speaks to God acting as an advocate for Israel when they are in distress and seek His help.
  • The Significance of the Temple: While God is in heaven, the Temple served as the designated place where prayers would be directed, symbolizing God's readiness to interact with humanity. It was a tangible representation of the covenant relationship and a center for national supplication.
  • National Prayer in Conflict: The verse highlights the practice of turning to God in times of war, seeking divine intervention and victory. It reflects a national reliance on God for protection and success against adversaries.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "maintain their cause" comes from the Hebrew word mishpat, which broadly means "judgment," "justice," or a "legal case." When Solomon asks God to "maintain their cause," he is essentially asking God to act as a righteous judge on Israel's behalf, to vindicate them, and to grant them victory in their just conflicts. The word "hear" (Hebrew: shama) in this context implies not merely listening, but also acting upon what is heard, demonstrating God's active involvement.

Related Scriptures

This petition echoes earlier promises and commands regarding God's intervention in battle when His people obey and seek Him (Deuteronomy 20:4). The broader theme of God hearing from heaven and healing the land is powerfully summarized later in 2 Chronicles 7:14, which serves as God's direct response to Solomon's prayer. The concept of God upholding the cause of the righteous is also found in the Psalms, such as Psalm 140:12.

Practical Application

For believers today, 2 Chronicles 6:35 offers timeless principles about prayer and God's character. It reminds us that God is not limited by location; He hears our prayers from "the heavens," wherever we are. We can confidently bring our "causes" – whether personal struggles, injustices, or national challenges – before Him. God remains the ultimate defender and advocate for those who seek Him in truth and repentance. This verse encourages us to pray earnestly and expectantly, trusting that God will intervene and uphold what is right according to His perfect will.

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

Cross-References

  • Daniel 9:17

    Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake.

  • Daniel 9:19

    O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.

  • Isaiah 37:21

    ¶ Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent unto Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Whereas thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria:

  • Isaiah 37:36

    Then the angel of the LORD went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they [were] all dead corpses.

  • Jeremiah 5:28

    They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.

  • Psalms 9:3

    When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence.

  • Psalms 9:4

    For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right.
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