(See 2 Samuel 7:4-17 ; 1 Chronicles 11:2 ; 1 Chronicles 17:4-14 .) With his hands,… with his mouth . Expressions like this, antithesis and all, remind how language formed itself in the concrete mould at first, from that, ever becoming more abstract as time grew. The ampler language of later date would be, Who hath indeed fulfilled that which he spake. read more
I chose no city,… neither chose I any man. The tabernacle and all it contained had but travelled from place to place, and rested at temporary halting-places; and from Moses' time all the leaders of the people Israel had been men in whom vested no permanent and no intrinsic authority ( 1 Samuel 16:1-15 ; 2 Samuel 24:18-25 ). read more
(See again references of preceding verse, and 2 Samuel 7:8 ; Psalms 78:70 .) read more
The worth of a wish-the estimate of Christ. "David did well in that it was in his heart" to build a house for the Lord. The purpose of his heart, though it "lost the name of action," was acceptable to the God he served. Almost everything, in the estimate of him who "trieth the reins and the heart," depends on the motives by which we are inspired. Hence we may speak of— I. THE WORTHLESSNESS OF SOLOMON 'S EXECUTION apart from the excellency of his motive. That building now... read more
(So 2 Samuel 7:2 , 2 Samuel 7:10-16 ; 1 Chronicles 22:9 , 1 Chronicles 22:10 ; 1 Chronicles 28:2-7 .) read more
The moment that might have witnessed the utmost inflation of spiritual pride, the acme of ambition, the highest point of even moral kind of grandeur, being touched, is saved from the peril. To the " performing of the Lord " the glory is all given ( Luke 1:54 , Luke 1:55 , Luke 1:68-72 ). Probably delivered from earthly feeling, and sheltered just now from self and human ambition, Solomon was in a very high degree "in the spirit" ( Revelation 1:10 ) on this great day. The moment... read more
Compare Kings (marginal references).Compare Kings (marginal references). read more
2 Chronicles 6:1. The Lord hath said he would dwell in the thick darkness He has made darkness his pavilion; but let this house be the residence of that darkness. For it is in the upper world that he dwells in light, such as no eye can approach. read more
2 Chronicles 6:2. I have built a house of habitation for thee It is of great consequence in all our religious actions that we design well, and that our eye be single. If Solomon had built this temple in the pride of his heart, as Ahasuerus made his feast, only to show the riches of his kingdom, and the honour of his majesty, it would neither have glorified God nor have turned to his own advantage. But he here declares on what inducements he undertook it, and they are such as not only... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 6:3
Reading between the lines, this verse shows us that the face of Solomon had been turned to the symbol of God's presence, while he addressed to him the words of our second verse, since he now faces round to the assembly of the congregation. What words Solomon used in thus blessing the whole congregation are not given either here or in the parallel. The impression one takes is that the blessing was, in fact, wrapt up tacitly in all that Solomon recounts, when he said, Blessed be the Lord God... read more