TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers 2 Chronicles 7:12–22. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
That God accepted Solomon's prayer appeared by the fire from heaven. But a prayer may be accepted and yet not answered in the letter of it; and therefore God appeared to him in the night, as he did once before (Ch2 1:7), and after a day of sacrifice too, as then, and gave him a peculiar answer to his prayer. We had the substance of it before, Kg1 9:2-9.
I.He promised to own this house for a house of sacrifice to Israel and a house of prayer for all people (Isa 56:7):
My name shall be there for ever (Ch2 7:12, Ch2 7:16), that is, "There will I make myself known, and there will I be called upon."
II.He promised to answer the prayers of his people that should at any time be made in that place, Ch2 7:13-15.
National judgments are here supposed (Ch2 7:13), famine, and pestilence, and perhaps war, for by the locusts devouring the land meant enemies as greedy as locusts, and laying all waste. 2. National repentance, prayer, and reformation, are required, Ch2 7:14. God expects that his people who are called by his name, if they have dishonoured his name by their iniquity, should honour it by accepting the punishment of their iniquity. They must be humble themselves under his hand, must pray for the removal of the judgment, must seek the face and favour of God; and yet all this will not do unless they turn from their wicked ways, and return to the God from whom they have revolted. 3. National mercy is then promised, that God will forgive their sin, which brought the judgment upon them, and then heal their land, redress all their grievances. Pardoning mercy makes ways for healing mercy, Psa 103:3; Mat 9:2.
III.He promised to perpetuate Solomon's kingdom, upon condition that he persevered in his duty, Ch2 7:17, Ch2 7:18.
If he hoped for the benefit of God's covenant with David, he must imitate the example of David. But he set before him death as well as life, the curse as well as the blessing.
1.He supposed it possible that though they had this temple built to the honour of God, yet they might be drawn aside to worship other gods, Ch2 7:19. He knew their proneness to backslide into that sin.
2.He threatened it as certain that, if they did so, it would certainly be the ruin of both church and state. (1.) It would be the ruin of their state, Ch2 7:20. "Though they have taken deep root, and taken root long, in this good land, yet I will pluck them up by the roots, extirpate the whole nation, pluck them up as men pluck up weeds out of their garden, which are thrown to the dunghill." (2.) It would be the ruin of their church. This sanctuary would be no sanctuary to them, to protect them from the judgment of God, as they imagined, saying, The temple of the Lord are we, Jer 7:4. "This house which is high, not only for the magnificence of its structure, but for the designed ends and uses of it, shall be an astonishment, it shall come down wonderfully (Lam 1:9), to the amazement of all the neighbours."
Continue studying 2 Chronicles 7:15 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
Summary
Second Chronicles 7:15 presents a profound divine assurance from God to King Solomon, delivered immediately after the dedication of the magnificent Temple in Jerusalem. This verse serves as a foundational declaration of God's unwavering attentiveness and responsiveness to the prayers offered within the newly consecrated sanctuary, promising His constant watchfulness and readiness to hear the supplications of His people who turn to Him in that designated place.
Context
Literary Context
This verse is an integral part of God's direct, nocturnal response to King Solomon's extensive and heartfelt prayer of dedication for the newly completed Temple, as meticulously chronicled in 2 Chronicles 6. The divine affirmation follows a spectacular display of God's glory, where fire descended from heaven and consumed the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the Temple, preventing the priests from entering (2 Chronicles 7:1-3). God's appearance to Solomon, paralleled in 1 Kings 9:1-9, confirms His acceptance of the Temple and reaffirms His covenant with Israel. Verse 15 establishes the premise of God's perpetual attentiveness, setting the stage for the conditional promise of national healing and restoration articulated in the well-known 2 Chronicles 7:14, which outlines the conditions for divine intervention and serves as a crucial theological hinge for the entire passage.
Historical & Cultural Context
The construction and dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem marked a pivotal moment in Israelite history, symbolizing the establishment of a permanent dwelling place for God's presence among His people, a concept previously represented by the portable tabernacle. Culturally, the Temple became the central hub for national worship, sacrifice, and pilgrimage, serving as the physical embodiment of the covenant relationship between Yahweh and Israel. Prayers offered "in this place" were understood to carry particular significance, not because God was confined to a building, but because the Temple was the divinely appointed locus for meeting with Him, where His name would dwell (1 Kings 8:29). This context underscores the profound theological weight attached to God's promise to hear prayers specifically directed toward this sacred space, reinforcing its role as the spiritual heart of the nation and the place where the covenant was tangibly reaffirmed.
Key Themes
The primary themes embedded in 2 Chronicles 7:15 revolve around God's attentiveness to prayer, His covenant faithfulness, and the significance of the sanctuary. The vivid imagery of God's "eyes open" and "ears attent" powerfully conveys His active, vigilant, and personal engagement with the supplications of His people, emphasizing that He is not a distant deity but one who listens and responds. This promise is rooted in God's enduring covenant with Israel, assuring them that despite future transgressions, His accessibility would remain through the designated means of the Temple. The phrase "in this place" highlights the Temple's unique role as the divinely ordained meeting point, a symbol of God's presence and a tangible reminder of the covenant relationship, where Israel could seek His face and find a hearing for their prayers, as Solomon himself prayed in 2 Chronicles 6:40. This verse sets the stage for the conditional promise of national restoration found in the subsequent verse, emphasizing that divine intervention is predicated on divine attentiveness.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This verb signifies "to open wide," "to unclose," or "to set free." When applied to God's "eyes," it conveys an active, unhindered, and watchful gaze. It implies not merely a passive state of being open, but a deliberate and sustained act of observation, indicating God's constant and direct awareness of all that transpires, especially the prayers directed towards Him. This suggests an absence of obstruction or distraction, ensuring full divine perception and engagement.
Meaning "hearkening" or "attentive," this word denotes a focused and intentional act of hearing. It goes beyond mere auditory reception to imply a readiness to process, understand, and respond. God's "ears attent" signify His active engagement with the content of the prayers, demonstrating His personal interest and commitment to discerning the heart and needs of the one praying. This is a posture of readiness to act based on what is heard.
This noun refers to "intercession" or "supplication," encompassing a broad range of communication with God. It includes humble requests, cries for help, fervent intercession, and expressions of praise. The use of this general term emphasizes that God's promise of attentiveness extends to all forms of sincere communication directed to Him from "this place," encompassing the diverse needs and expressions of His people in their covenant relationship.
Verse Breakdown
"Now mine eyes shall be open"
This clause declares God's perpetual and active watchfulness. It conveys the image of God's gaze being continuously fixed upon the Temple and, by extension, upon those who pray within or towards it. This is not a passive observation but an engaged, discerning awareness, signifying that nothing escapes His divine notice, particularly the spiritual needs and sincere intentions of His supplicants. It speaks to God's omniscience and His particular focus on the covenant community.
"and mine ears attent"
Complementing the visual imagery, this phrase emphasizes God's active and focused listening. It assures the worshipper that God does not merely hear sounds but truly "attends" to the content and spirit of the prayers. This implies a readiness to comprehend, to consider, and ultimately to respond, underscoring God's personal and engaged relationship with His praying people. This highlights God's responsiveness and His desire for intimate communion.
"unto the prayer [that is made] in this place"
This final phrase specifies the object and location of God's promised attentiveness. "The prayer" refers to any supplication offered, while "in this place" unequivocally designates the Temple in Jerusalem. This highlights the Temple's unique role as the divinely appointed focal point for Israel's worship and prayer, a sacred space where God had promised to manifest His presence and receive the petitions of His covenant people. It underscores the importance of the Temple as the symbol of God's presence among His people.
Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. Anthropomorphism is prominent, attributing human sensory organs—eyes and ears—to God. This device makes the abstract concept of divine omniscience and omnipresence relatable and comprehensible to human understanding, emphasizing God's active perception and engagement with His creation. The pairing of "eyes open" and "ears attent" creates a powerful parallelism, reinforcing the completeness and totality of God's awareness; this is a form of synesthesia, where two different senses are invoked to describe a single, unified divine action of comprehensive attentiveness. Furthermore, the phrase "in this place" functions as a symbol for the consecrated sanctuary, representing the specific covenantal context within which God promises to hear and respond, highlighting the sacredness and unique designation of the Temple as a meeting point between God and humanity. The use of the future tense "shall be open" and "attent" also conveys a sense of divine promise and commitment, assuring Solomon and Israel of God's enduring faithfulness.
Theological and Thematic Connections
The promise in 2 Chronicles 7:15 transcends its immediate historical context, revealing enduring truths about God's character and His relationship with humanity. It underscores God's inherent nature as a God who hears and responds to prayer, demonstrating His profound accessibility and personal interest in the cries of His people. This divine attentiveness is not a passive reception but an active, vigilant posture, rooted in His covenant faithfulness. While the physical Temple served as the designated "place" for prayer in the Old Covenant, the spiritual principle remains: God is ever-ready to engage with those who sincerely seek Him, affirming His unchanging commitment to communion with humanity. This verse assures believers that their supplications are never unheard or unnoticed by the sovereign Lord, establishing a foundation of trust in His responsive nature.
Reflection and Application
The timeless truth of 2 Chronicles 7:15 offers immense encouragement and a profound call to prayer for believers today. Though the physical Temple no longer stands as the singular "place," God's character as one who hears and responds to prayer remains immutable. This verse invites us to approach God with unwavering confidence, knowing that His "eyes are open and ears attent" to our every cry, whisper, and heartfelt groan. It reminds us that prayer is not a monologue into the void but a genuine dialogue with a living, attentive God who desires to engage with His children. Our prayers, offered in faith and sincerity, are not just heard but are actively considered and responded to by a loving Father. Therefore, we are called to cultivate a consistent and fervent prayer life, trusting in the active, watchful, and responsive nature of our God, who delights in the communion He shares with us and invites us into His presence without reservation.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Was God's promise in 2 Chronicles 7:15 only for prayers made physically inside Solomon's Temple?
While the immediate context of 2 Chronicles 7:15 clearly refers to the physical Temple in Jerusalem ("in this place"), the underlying theological principle of God's attentiveness to prayer is not limited to a specific geographical location. For ancient Israel, the Temple was the divinely appointed locus of God's presence and the symbolic center of their worship and covenant relationship. God promised to meet them there. However, the Old Testament itself shows God hearing prayers from outside the Temple (e.g., Jonah 2:1-9, Daniel 6:10). For New Testament believers, the concept of "place" has expanded significantly. Through Christ, believers are now the "temple of the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 6:19), and God promises His presence wherever even "two or three are gathered in My name" (Matthew 18:20). Thus, the spiritual truth of God's attentive nature transcends the physical structure, assuring that He hears prayers offered in sincerity and faith from any place, because access is now through Christ, not a building.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
The promise of God's open eyes and attentive ears in 2 Chronicles 7:15 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The physical Temple, to which God promised His attentiveness, was a shadow and a type of a greater reality. Jesus Himself declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," speaking of the temple of His body (John 2:19-21). Christ is the true and living Temple, the ultimate meeting place between God and humanity, in whom "the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily" (Colossians 2:9). Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, Jesus tore the veil separating humanity from God's most holy presence (Matthew 27:51), granting believers direct access to the Father. Now, through Christ, we have "boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him" (Ephesians 3:12), and can "draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith" to the throne of grace (Hebrews 10:19-22). Our prayers are heard not because of a physical building, but because they are offered in the name of the one Mediator, Jesus Christ, who ever lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25). Thus, God's promise to hear prayers "in this place" is perfectly fulfilled in the reality of Christ, the living Temple, through whom all genuine prayer ascends to an ever-attentive God.