2 Chronicles 6:41

Now 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.

Now therefore arise {H6965}, O LORD {H3068} God {H430}, into thy resting {H5118} place, thou, and the ark {H727} of thy strength {H5797}: let thy priests {H3548}, O LORD {H3068} God {H430}, be clothed {H3847} with salvation {H8668}, and let thy saints {H2623} rejoice {H8055} in goodness {H2896}.

"Now go up, ADONAI, God, to your place of rest, you and the ark through which you give strength. "May your cohanim, ADONAI, God, be clothed with salvation; may those loyal to you take joy in good.

Now therefore, arise, O LORD God, and enter Your resting place, You and the ark of Your might. May Your priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation, and may Your godly ones rejoice in goodness.

Now therefore arise, O Jehovah God, into thy resting-place, thou, and the ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O Jehovah God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness.

Commentary

This verse is part of King Solomon's powerful prayer at the dedication of the newly built temple in Jerusalem. It is a direct quotation from or echo of Psalm 132:8-9, showing the deep connection between the psalmists' worship language and the formal liturgy of the temple dedication.

Context

Following the construction of the temple, a monumental task completed by Solomon, the Ark of the Covenant was brought into its most holy place. Chapter 6 of 2 Chronicles records Solomon's lengthy prayer of dedication. This specific verse marks a climax in his petition, calling for God's presence to fully inhabit the temple, symbolized by the Ark, and for the people's spiritual state – the priests' readiness and the saints' joy – to reflect God's dwelling among them. It's a request for God to settle permanently and bless His people through the temple.

Key Themes

  • God's Presence and Resting Place: The central plea is for God to "arise" and come into the temple as His "resting place," signifying a desire for His settled, abiding presence among His people Israel. The temple was built as a physical dwelling place for God's glory on Earth.
  • The Ark of the Covenant: Referred to as "the ark of thy strength," the Ark symbolized God's presence, power, and covenant faithfulness. Its placement in the Most Holy Place was the culmination of the temple dedication, and this prayer acknowledges its significance as the focal point of God's dwelling.
  • Priestly Clothing of Salvation: The request that priests be "clothed with salvation" goes beyond their physical garments. It speaks to their spiritual state, their righteousness, and their effectiveness in ministry, which is ultimately derived from God's saving power and grace. Their service was meant to mediate God's salvation to the people.
  • The Saints' Joy in God's Goodness: The prayer concludes with the desire for the people of God ("thy saints") to "rejoice in goodness." This goodness refers to God's character, His blessings, and the spiritual well-being experienced when God is present and active among His people. Joy is a natural outcome of experiencing God's salvation and goodness.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "resting place" (Hebrew: menuchah) implies a permanent dwelling, not just a temporary stop. "Strength" (Hebrew: 'oz) linked with the Ark highlights God's power manifested through this sacred object. "Clothed with salvation" (Hebrew: levush yeshu'ah) is a vivid metaphor, suggesting that salvation is not just an abstract concept but something that covers and defines the priests, enabling their service. "Rejoice in goodness" (Hebrew: yaronnu vetov) connects vocal rejoicing directly with the experience of God's favor and blessings.

Related Scriptures

This verse is famously parallel to Psalm 132:8-9, which likely served as the liturgical source. The reference to the ark of thy strength recalls its journey and significance throughout Israel's history. The idea of being clothed with salvation is echoed in prophetic literature. The concept of God's saints rejoicing in His goodness is a frequent theme in the Psalms, such as Psalm 16:11.

Reflection & Application

While we no longer have a physical temple or the Ark, this prayer expresses a timeless desire for God's manifest presence among His people. Today, believers are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). This verse reminds us to pray for God's presence in our lives and churches. It also calls ministers (spiritual "priests") to be spiritually prepared, "clothed" in the righteousness and power of God's salvation, enabling them to serve effectively. When God's presence is real and His ministers are equipped, the result is joy among the people, who experience God's abundant goodness. It's a call to seek God's presence, righteous leadership, and joyful communion with God and one another.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

  • 1 Chronicles 28:2

    Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: [As for me], I [had] in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building:

  • Isaiah 61:10

    ¶ I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh [himself] with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth [herself] with her jewels.

  • Nehemiah 9:25

    And they took strong cities, and a fat land, and possessed houses full of all goods, wells digged, vineyards, and oliveyards, and fruit trees in abundance: so they did eat, and were filled, and became fat, and delighted themselves in thy great goodness.

  • Psalms 132:16

    I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.

  • Isaiah 66:1

    ¶ Thus saith the LORD, The heaven [is] my throne, and the earth [is] my footstool: where [is] the house that ye build unto me? and where [is] the place of my rest?

  • Psalms 132:8

    Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength.

  • Psalms 132:10

    For thy servant David's sake turn not away the face of thine anointed.
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