What number verse is 2 Chronicles 6:38 in the Bible?

2 Chronicles 6:38 is the 11,321st verse of the Bible. Counting straight through the King James canon — all 31,102 verses from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 — 2 Chronicles 6:38 sits at position 11,321.

6:376:37 6:396:39

2 Chronicles 6:38

“Prayer for Captives and Exile”· 2 Chronicles 6:36–39Read in context

King James Version

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:

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KJV (with Strong's)

If they return ^H7725 to thee with all their heart ^H3820 and with all their soul ^H5315 in the land ^H776 of their captivity ^H7628, whither they have carried them captives ^H7617, and pray ^H6419 toward ^H1870 their land ^H776, which thou gavest ^H5414 unto their fathers ^H1, and toward the city ^H5892 which thou hast chosen ^H977, and toward the house ^H1004 which I have built ^H1129 for thy name ^H8034:

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Complete Jewish Bible

if, in the land where they were brought and are being held captive, they return to you with all their heart and being and pray to you toward their own land, which you gave to their ancestors, toward the city you chose and toward the house I have built for your name;

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Berean Standard Bible

and when they return to You with all their heart and soul in the land of the enemies who took them captive, and when they pray in the direction of the land that You gave to their fathers, the city You have chosen, and the house I have built for Your Name,

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American Standard Version

if they return unto thee with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, whither they have carried them captive, and pray toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, and the city which thou hast chosen, and toward the house which I have built for thy name:

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World English Bible Messianic

if they return to you with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, where they have carried them captive, and pray toward their land, which you gave to their fathers, and the city which you have chosen, and toward the house which I have built for your name:

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Geneva Bible (1599)

If they turne againe to thee with all their heart, and with all their soule in the land of their captiuitie, whither they haue caryed them captiues, and pray toward their land, which thou gauest vnto their fathers, and toward the citie which thou hast chosen, and toward the house which I haue built for thy Name,

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Young's Literal Translation

yea, they have turned back unto Thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their captivity, whither they have taken them captive, and they have prayed the way of their land that Thou hast given to their fathers, and of the city that Thou hast chosen, and of the house that I have built for Thy name:

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മലയാളം · SV

അവരെ പിടിച്ചു കൊണ്ടുപോയ പ്രവാസദേശത്തുവെച്ചു അവർ പൂൎണ്ണഹൃദയത്തോടും പൂൎണ്ണമനസ്സോടുംകൂടെ നിങ്കലേക്കു തിരിഞ്ഞു നീ അവരുടെ പിതാക്കന്മാൎക്കു കൊടുത്ത ദേശത്തേക്കും നീ തിരഞ്ഞെടുത്ത നഗരത്തിലേക്കും ഞാൻ നിന്റെ നാമത്തിന്നു പണിതിരിക്കുന്ന ഈ ആലയത്തിലേക്കും നോക്കി പ്രാൎത്ഥിക്കയും ചെയ്താൽ

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Translation

Cross-References

ആവര്‍ത്തനം 30:2
നിന്റെ ദൈവമായ യഹോവയുടെ അടുക്കലേക്കു തിരിഞ്ഞു നീയും നിന്റെ മക്കളും പൂൎണ്ണഹൃദയത്തോടും പൂൎണ്ണമനസ്സോടുംകൂടെ, ഞാൻ ഇന്നു നിന്നോടു ആജ്ഞാപിക്കുന്നതുപോലെ ഒക്കെയും അവന്റെ വാക്കു കേട്ടനുസരിച്ചാൽ
ആവര്‍ത്തനം 30:6
നീ ജീവിച്ചിരിക്കേണ്ടതിന്നു നിന്റെ ദൈവമായ യഹോവയെ പൂൎണ്ണഹൃദയത്തോടും പൂൎണ്ണമനസ്സോടുംകൂടെ സ്നേഹിപ്പാൻ തക്കവണ്ണം നിന്റെ ദൈവമായ യഹോവ നിന്റെ ഹൃദയവും നിന്റെ സന്തതിയുടെ ഹൃദയവും പരിച്ഛേദന ചെയ്യും.
യോവേല്‍ 2:12
എന്നാൽ ഇപ്പോഴെങ്കിലും നിങ്ങൾ പൂൎണ്ണഹൃദയത്തോടും ഉപവാസത്തോടും കരച്ചലോടും വിലാപത്തോടുംകൂടെ എങ്കലേക്കു തിരിവിൻ എന്നു യഹോവയുടെ അരുളപ്പാടു.
യോവേല്‍ 2:13
വസ്ത്രങ്ങളെയല്ല ഹൃദയങ്ങളെ തന്നേ കീറി നിങ്ങളുടെ ദൈവമായ യഹോവയുടെ അടുക്കലേക്കു തിരിവിൻ; അവൻ കൃപയും കരുണയും ദീൎഘക്ഷമയും മഹാദയയുമുള്ളവനല്ലോ; അവൻ അനൎത്ഥത്തെക്കുറിച്ചു അനുതപിക്കും.
യിരെമ്യാവ് 29:12
നിങ്ങൾ എന്നോടു അപേക്ഷിച്ചു എന്റെ സന്നിധിയിൽവന്നു പ്രാൎത്ഥിക്കയും ഞാൻ നിങ്ങളുടെ പ്രാൎത്ഥന കേൾക്കയും ചെയ്യും
യിരെമ്യാവ് 29:14
നിങ്ങൾ എന്നെ കണ്ടെത്തുവാൻ ഞാൻ ഇടയാക്കും എന്നു യഹോവയുടെ അരുളപ്പാടു; ഞാൻ നിങ്ങളുടെ പ്രവാസം മാറ്റും; ഞാൻ നിങ്ങളെ നീക്കിക്കളഞ്ഞിരിക്കുന്ന സകലജാതികളിൽനിന്നും എല്ലായിടങ്ങളിലുംനിന്നും നിങ്ങളെ ശേഖരിച്ചു ഞാൻ നിങ്ങളെ വിട്ടുപോകുമാറാക്കിയ സ്ഥലത്തേക്കു തന്നേ മടക്കിവരുത്തും എന്നു യഹോവയുടെ അരുളപ്പാടു.
ദാനീയേല്‍ 9:3
അപ്പോൾ ഞാൻ ഉപവസിച്ചും രട്ടുടുത്തും വെണ്ണീരിൽ ഇരുന്നുംകൊണ്ടു പ്രാൎത്ഥനയോടും യാചനകളോടും കൂടെ അപേക്ഷിക്കേണ്ടതിന്നു ദൈവമായ കൎത്താവിങ്കലേക്കു മുഖം തിരിച്ചു.

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Summary

2 Chronicles 6:38 encapsulates a profound, prophetic plea within King Solomon's dedicatory prayer for the newly consecrated Temple in Jerusalem. This verse anticipates a future scenario where the people of Israel, due to disobedience, might face the severe judgment of exile. Solomon intercedes, appealing to God's enduring mercy, requesting that if His people, from the distant land of their captivity, genuinely turn back to Him with wholehearted repentance and direct their prayers toward their ancestral land, the divinely chosen city of Jerusalem, and the sacred Temple built for God's name, then God would hear and grant them restoration. It powerfully underscores the transformative power of sincere repentance and fervent prayer in the face of divine judgment and profound separation.

Context

Literary Context

This verse is intricately woven into the fabric of Solomon's extensive prayer of dedication for the Temple, a pivotal moment detailed in 2 Chronicles 6 and paralleled in 1 Kings 8. The prayer is masterfully structured around a series of hypothetical, yet tragically prescient, scenarios depicting Israel's potential sin and the subsequent divine judgments—ranging from defeat in battle and drought to famine, pestilence, and ultimately, national exile. For each anticipated calamity, Solomon earnestly pleads with God to hear the prayers of His people when they turn toward the Temple in repentance. Verse 38 represents the climactic petition concerning the most severe form of judgment, exile, building upon earlier pleas regarding lesser afflictions (e.g., 2 Chronicles 6:24-25). The deliberate repetition of phrases like "if they return" and "if they pray" throughout this section emphatically highlights the conditional nature of God's restoration, which is always contingent upon the people's sincere turning and genuine repentance.

Historical & Cultural Context

The dedication of the Temple marked the zenith of Israel's power, prosperity, and spiritual centralization under King Solomon. It was the culmination of David's fervent desire and a monumental step in solidifying the Davidic dynasty and the nation's spiritual identity. However, Solomon's prayer, particularly verse 38, remarkably looks forward to a future of national failure and subsequent exile, a grim reality that would indeed unfold centuries later with the Assyrian and Babylonian captivities. Culturally, the practice of praying toward a sacred site, such as the Temple or Jerusalem, was a deeply ingrained custom in the ancient Near East, symbolizing a spiritual orientation toward the divine presence. This practice is famously exemplified by Daniel, who, even in Babylonian exile, prayed with his windows open toward Jerusalem (Daniel 6:10). This physical alignment was not merely ritualistic but a profound expression of spiritual longing, unwavering loyalty to God's covenant, and a fervent hope for restoration to the land of promise and God's dwelling place.

Key Themes

2 Chronicles 6:38 articulates several profound themes central to the Chronicler's theological agenda and the broader biblical narrative. The foremost theme is repentance, which is presented as a complete and sincere turning back to God, encapsulated by the powerful phrase "with all their heart and with all their soul." This echoes the foundational command to love God with one's entire being, as articulated in the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:5). Another critical theme is God's covenant faithfulness; despite Israel's anticipated future failures, Solomon appeals to God's enduring commitment to His promises of mercy and restoration upon genuine repentance. The efficacy of prayer, even in the most dire circumstances like captivity, is also profoundly highlighted, emphasizing the Temple's role not merely as a site for sacrifice but as a focal point for direct, earnest communion with God. This prayer sets the theological stage for God's gracious response in 2 Chronicles 7:14, which promises healing for the land if His people humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways, reiterating the divine prerequisite for restoration.

Exposition and Analysis

Key Word Analysis

Return shûwb' H7725

This verb (H7725) is a cornerstone of Old Testament theology, often translated as "repent." It signifies a turning back, a reversal of direction, both physically and, more importantly, morally and spiritually. In this context, it implies a complete change of heart and behavior, a turning away from sin and back to God. It is not merely regret for consequences but a decisive reorientation of one's life toward the covenant relationship, encompassing a full reversal of one's course.

Heart lêb' H3820

In Hebrew thought, the "heart" (H3820) is not merely the seat of emotions but the center of one's entire being—intellect, will, emotions, and moral character. To return "with all their heart" means an intellectual understanding of wrongdoing, a volitional decision to change, and an emotional desire for reconciliation. It denotes the innermost core of a person, from which all thoughts, intentions, and actions spring.

Soul nephesh' H5315

Often translated as "soul" or "life," nephesh (H5315) refers to the animating principle of a person, their vital force, their very self. To return "with all their soul" implies a commitment that encompasses one's deepest desires, aspirations, and the entirety of one's inner and outer life. Together, "with all their heart and with all their soul" forms a merism, emphasizing the totality and sincerity of the repentance required—a devotion that leaves no part of the person untouched, signifying a complete and undivided commitment.

Verse Breakdown

"If they return to thee with all their heart and with all their soul"

This foundational clause establishes the absolute prerequisite for divine intervention and restoration: a profound, internal, and complete turning back to God. It signifies genuine repentance that transcends mere outward ritual or superficial regret, demanding a reorientation of one's entire being—intellect, will, and emotion—toward God.

"in the land of their captivity, whither they have carried them captives"

This phrase specifies the dire and distant circumstances under which this repentance would occur. It prophetically anticipates the future exile of Israel, highlighting God's justice in judgment as a consequence of their disobedience. Yet, even in this foreign, oppressive land, God's accessibility to a repentant heart is powerfully affirmed, demonstrating His omnipresence and readiness to hear.

"and pray toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers"

This describes the physical orientation of their prayer, which is deeply symbolic of their spiritual longing and hope. Praying toward the land signifies a fervent desire for restoration to the covenant promises and the inheritance God had graciously given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It serves as an acknowledgment of God's enduring faithfulness to His ancestral promises, even in a state of national displacement.

"and [toward] the city which thou hast chosen"

This refers specifically to Jerusalem, the city uniquely chosen by God to establish His name and where the Temple was built (2 Chronicles 6:6). Directing prayer toward Jerusalem underscores its unparalleled status as God's earthly dwelling place and the spiritual capital of His people, symbolizing the focal point of their covenant relationship.

"and toward the house which I have built for thy name"

This final phrase explicitly identifies the Temple as the ultimate focal point of their prayer. The Temple was the tangible symbol of God's presence among His people, the sacred space where His "name" (representing His character, authority, and manifest presence) dwelled. Praying toward it signifies an appeal to God's covenant relationship, His readiness to hear from His sanctuary, and the hope for atonement and reconciliation.

Literary Devices

Solomon's prayer in 2 Chronicles 6:38 masterfully employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is Anticipation, as Solomon prophetically looks forward to a future of national disobedience and subsequent exile, pleading for God's mercy and intervention in advance. This foresight frames the Temple's dedication not merely as a celebration of present glory but as a divinely ordained safeguard and pathway for restoration against future calamity. The verse is fundamentally structured as a Conditional Clause ("If they return... then hear thou"), establishing a clear cause-and-effect relationship between the people's repentance and God's restorative action. This structure powerfully highlights the covenantal nature of their relationship with God, where blessings and restoration are contingent upon obedience and sincere repentance. Symbolism is also heavily at play, with the "land," "city," and "house" (Temple) serving as potent symbols. The land represents God's covenant promise and the inheritance of His people; the city (Jerusalem) symbolizes God's chosen dwelling place and the center of His rule; and the Temple signifies God's tangible presence, the locus of atonement, and the designated place for prayer. The Repetition of "toward their land... toward the city... toward the house" emphasizes the specific, purposeful direction of their prayer, reinforcing the spiritual and geographical anchors of their hope and demonstrating the comprehensive nature of their longing for restoration to God's presence and promises.

Theological and Thematic Connections

2 Chronicles 6:38 profoundly illustrates the enduring biblical principle that God's grace and restoration are always available to a genuinely repentant heart, irrespective of the depth of sin or the severity of judgment. It underscores that even in the uttermost parts of the earth, separated from the physical symbols of God's presence, true turning to Him with one's whole being can bridge the chasm of sin and alienation. This verse establishes a theological precedent for God's readiness to hear and forgive those who humble themselves and earnestly seek Him, demonstrating His unwavering covenant faithfulness even when His people are unfaithful. It highlights that God values the internal disposition of the heart above mere external ritual, making sincere, comprehensive repentance the key to unlocking divine mercy and restoration. This passage serves as a timeless testament to God's character as a God who delights in mercy and is always ready to receive His wandering children home.

Deuteronomy 30:1-3 Jeremiah 29:12-14 Psalm 137:1-6

Reflection and Application

Solomon's prayer in 2 Chronicles 6:38 offers profound hope and a clear, divinely ordained pathway for reconciliation with God, a message that transcends ancient Israel and resonates deeply with believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder that no matter how far we may have strayed from God, or how dire and seemingly hopeless our circumstances, the door to His mercy remains eternally open. The emphasis on returning "with all their heart and with all their soul" teaches us that genuine repentance is not a superficial act of regret for consequences, but a radical, transformative reorientation of our entire being—our intellect, emotions, and will—back to God. It calls us to a wholehearted devotion, a sincere desire to reconnect with our Creator and Redeemer, leaving no part of ourselves untouched by His call to return. Furthermore, the act of praying "toward" the land, city, and Temple reminds us that our prayers, offered in faith and sincerity, can reach God from any place, any situation, and any spiritual wilderness. It encourages us to fix our gaze on God's unwavering promises and His omnipresent presence, even when we feel distant, displaced, or spiritually isolated, trusting that He is always ready to hear, to forgive, and to restore. This verse serves as a timeless invitation to humility, fervent prayer, and true spiritual return, promising that God's faithfulness will unfailingly meet our sincere seeking.

Questions for Reflection

What does "returning to God with all your heart and with all your soul" practically look like in your life today, encompassing your thoughts, desires, and actions?
How does the concept of praying "toward" God's chosen dwelling place encourage you to direct your prayers and focus your hope on His promises and presence, even when you feel spiritually or physically distant from Him?
In what specific areas of your life might you need to practice this "wholehearted" repentance and turn back to God for His promised restoration and healing?

FAQ

Why is it important to pray "toward" the land, city, and Temple?

Praying "toward" these specific locations was not about the physical direction itself holding inherent power, but about the profound spiritual significance they represented within God's covenant with Israel. The land (H776, ʼerets) was the inheritance given by God, symbolizing His unwavering covenant promises to Abraham and his descendants. The city (H5892, ʻîyr), Jerusalem, was God's chosen place for His name (H8034, shêm) to dwell, signifying His sovereign presence and the center of His rule. The Temple (H1004, bayith) was the physical manifestation of God's dwelling among His people, the designated place of atonement, sacrifice, and communion. Thus, praying toward them symbolized directing one's hope, faith, and repentance toward God's promises, His manifest presence, and His established means of reconciliation. It was a tangible, outward expression of a profound spiritual turning back to the covenant relationship, even when physically separated. This practice is famously exemplified by Daniel in Babylonian exile, who prayed with his windows open toward Jerusalem (Daniel 6:10), demonstrating his unwavering loyalty to God and His covenant.

What does "with all their heart and with all their soul" truly mean for repentance?

This phrase, deeply rooted in the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:5), signifies a complete, total, and undivided commitment. "Heart" (H3820, lêb) in Hebrew thought encompasses the intellect, will, and emotions—the very core of one's inner being, from which all intentions and actions flow. "Soul" (H5315, nephesh) refers to one's entire life force, desires, and self—the animating principle of a person. Therefore, returning "with all their heart and with all their soul" means that repentance is not merely an outward ritual, a superficial apology, or regret for consequences. It is a profound, internal transformation—a decisive turning of one's entire will, mind, and affections away from sin and back to God. It implies an authentic, comprehensive desire for reconciliation and a radical reorientation of one's entire life according to God's revealed will, leaving no part of the person untouched by the call to return.

Christ-Centered Fulfillment

2 Chronicles 6:38, with its emphasis on returning to God from exile by praying toward the Temple, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound transformation in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The physical Temple, the holy city of Jerusalem, and the promised land were all types and shadows, pointing forward to a greater, spiritual reality. In the New Covenant, Jesus Himself becomes the true and ultimate Temple, the very dwelling place of God among humanity (John 2:19-21). We no longer need to pray toward a physical building or a specific geographical location, for in Christ, God's presence is universally accessible and intimately near. Jesus declared that true worship would not be confined to Jerusalem or any specific mountain, but would be "in spirit and truth" (John 4:21-24), signifying a worship that transcends physical location and is rooted in an authentic relationship with God through His Spirit. Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Christ has opened a new and living way to the Father, allowing us to draw near with confidence to the throne of grace from anywhere in the world (Hebrews 4:14-16). He is the ultimate "land" of promise, the true "city" of God (the New Jerusalem), and the "house" where God's name dwells in its fullness. Our "return" to God is now a turning to Christ in faith and repentance, for He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). In Him, we are no longer strangers and aliens but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:19-22). Our prayers are directed to God through Him, our High Priest and Mediator, who always lives to intercede for us (Hebrews 7:25), making the path to God's mercy and restoration eternally open for all who believe.

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Public-domain commentary

Matthew Henry

From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers 2 Chronicles 6:12–42. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.

1662–1714 · 31 verses

Passage under comment2 Chronicles 6:12–42

12¶ And he stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands:

13For 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,

14And 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:

15Thou 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.

16Now 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.

17Now then, O LORD God of Israel, let thy word be verified, which thou hast spoken unto thy servant David.

18But 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!

19Have 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:

20That 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.

21Hearken 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.

22If 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;

23Then 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.

24And 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;

25Then 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.

26When 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;

27Then 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.

28If 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:

29Then 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:

30Then 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:)

31That they may fear thee, to walk in thy ways, so long as they live in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers.

32Moreover 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;

33Then 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.

34If 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;

35Then hear thou from the heavens their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause.

36If 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;

37Yet 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;

38If 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:

39Then 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.

40Now, 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.

41Now 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.

42O LORD God, turn not away the face of thine anointed: remember the mercies of David thy servant.

I. II. Main points1. 2. Sub-points

Solomon had, in the foregoing verses, signed and sealed, as it were, the deed of dedication, by which the temple was appropriated to the honour and service of God. Now here he prays the consecration-prayer, by which it was made a figure of Christ, the great Mediator, through whom we are to offer all our prayers, and to expect all God's favours, and to whom we are to have an eye in every thing where we have to do with God. We have opened the particulars of this prayer (1 Kings 8) and therefore shall now only glean up some few passages in it which may be the proper subjects of our meditation.

I.Here are some doctrinal truths occasionally laid down. As,

1.That the God of Israel is a being of incomparable perfection. We cannot describe him; but this we know, there is none like him in heaven or in earth, Ch2 6:14. All the creatures have their fellow-creatures, but the Creator has not his peer. He is infinitely above all, and over all, God blessed for ever.

2.That he is, and will be, true to every word that he has spoken; and all that serve him in sincerity shall certainly find him both faithful and kind. Those that set God always before them, and walk before him with all their hearts, shall find him as good as his word and better; he will both keep covenant with them and show mercy to them, Ch2 6:14.

3.That he is a being infinite and immense, whom the heaven, and heaven of heavens, cannot contain, and to whose felicity nothing is added by the utmost we can do in his service, Ch2 6:18. He is infinitely beyond the bounds of the creation and infinitely above the praises of all intelligent creatures.

4.That he, and he only, knows the hearts of the children of men, Ch2 6:30. All men's thoughts, aims, and affections, are naked and open before him; and, however the imaginations and intents of our hearts may be concealed from men, angels, and devils, they cannot be hidden from God, who knows not only what is in the heart, but the heart itself and all the beatings of it.

5.That there is no such thing as a sinless perfection to be found in this life (Ch2 6:36): There is no man who sinneth not; nay, who doeth good and sinneth not; so he writes, agreeable to what he here says, Ecc 7:20.

II.Here are some suppositions or cases put which are to be taken notice of.

1.He supposed that if doubts and controversies arose between man and man both sides would agree to appeal to God, and lay an oath upon the person whose testimony must decide the matter, Ch2 6:22. The religious reverence of an oath, as it was ancient, so, it may be presumed, it will continue as long as there are any remains of conscience and right reason among men.

2.He supposed that, though Israel enjoyed a profound peace and tranquillity, yet troublesome times would come. He did not think the mountain of their prosperity stood so strong but that it might be moved; nay, he expected sin would move it.

3.He supposed that those who had not called upon God at other times, yet, in their affliction, would seek him early and earnestly. "When they are in distress they will confess their sins, and confess thy name, and make supplication to thee." Trouble will drive those to God who have said to him, Depart, Ch2 6:24, Ch2 6:26, Ch2 6:28.

4.He supposed that strangers would come from afar to worship the God of Israel and to pay homage to him; and this also might reasonably be expected, considering what worthless things the gods of the nations were, and what proofs the God of Israel had given of his being Lord of the whole earth.

III.Here are petitions very pertinent.

1. That God would own this house, and have an eye to it, as the place of which he had said that he would put his name there, Ch2 6:20. He could not, in faith, have asked God to show such peculiar favour to this house above any other if he himself had not said that it should be his rest for ever. The prayer that will speed must be warranted by the word. We may with humble confidence pray to God to be well pleased with us in Jesus Christ, because he had declared himself well pleased in him - This is my beloved Son; but he says not now of any house, "This is my beloved place." 2. That God would hear and accept the prayers which should be made in or towards that place, Ch2 6:21. He asked not that God should help them whether they prayed for themselves or no, but that God would help them in answer to their prayers. Even Christ's intercessions do not supersede but encourage our supplications. He prayed that God would hear from his dwelling-place, even from heaven. Heaven in his dwelling-place still, not this temple; and thence help must come. When thou hearest forgive. Note, The forgiveness of our sins is that which makes way for all the other answers to our prayers, Removendo prohibens - The evil which it drives away it keeps away. 3. That God would give judgment according to equity upon all the appeals that should be made to him, Ch2 6:23, Ch2 6:30. This we may, in faith, pray for, for we are sure it shall be done. God sitteth on the throne judging right. 4. That God would return in mercy to his people when they repented, and reformed, and sought unto him, Ch2 6:25, Ch2 6:27, Ch2 6:38, Ch2 6:39. This we also may, in faith, pray for, building upon the repeated declarations God has made of his readiness to accepts penitents. 5. That God would bid the strangers welcome to this house, and answer their prayers (Ch2 6:33); for, if there be in duty, why should there not be in privilege one law for the stranger and for one born in the land? Lev 24:22. 6. That God would, upon all occasions, own and plead the cause of his people Israel, against all the opposers of it (Ch2 6:35): Maintain their cause; and again, Ch2 6:39. If they be the Israel of God, their cause is the cause of God, and he would espouse it. 7. He concludes this prayer with some expressions which he had learned of his good father, and borrowed from one of his psalms. We had then not in the Kings, but here we have them, Ch2 6:41, Ch2 6:42. The whole word of God is of use to direct us in prayer; and how can we express ourselves in better language to God than that of his own Spirit? But these words were of use, in a special manner, to direct Solomon, because they had reference to this very work that he was now doing. We have them, Psa 132:8-10. He prayer (Ch2 6:41), (1.) That God would take possession of the temple, and keep possession, that he would make it his resting-place: Thou and the ark; what will the ark do without the God of the ark-ordinances without the God of the ordinances? (2.) That he would make the ministers of the temple public blessings: Clothe them with salvation, that is, not only save them, but make them instrumental to save others, by offering the sacrifices of righteousness. (3.) That the service of the temple might turn abundantly to the joy and satisfaction of all the Lord's people: Let thy saints rejoice in goodness, that is, in the goodness of thy house, Psa 65:4. "Let all that come hither to worship, like the eunuch, go away rejoicing." He pleads two things, Ch2 6:42. [1.] His own relation to God: "Turn not away the face of thy anointed. Lord, thou hast appointed me to be king, and wilt not thou own me?" [2.] God's covenant with his father: Remember thy mercies of David thy servant - the piety of David towards God (so some understand it and so the word sometimes signifies), his pious care of the ark, and concern for it (see Psa 132:1, Psa 132:2, etc.), or the promises of God to David, which were mercies to him, his great support and comforts in all his troubles. We may plead, as Solomon does here, with an eye to Christ: - "We deserve that God should turn away our face, that he should reject us and our prayers; but we come in the name of the Lord Jesus, thy anointed, thy Messiah (so the word is), thy Christ, so the lxx. Him thou hearest always, and wilt never turn away his face. We have no righteousness of our own to plead, but, Lord, remember the mercies of David thy servant." Christ is God's servant (Isa 42:1), and is called David, Hos 3:5. "Lord, remember his mercies, and accept us on the account of them. Remember his tender concern for his Father's honour and man's salvation, and what he did and suffered from that principle. Remember the promises of the everlasting covenant, which free grace has made to us in Christ, and which are called the sure mercies of David," Isa 55:3 and Act 13:34. This must be all our desire and all our hope, all our prayer and all our plea; for it is all our salvation.

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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.

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