And an oath be laid upon him to make him swear . This verse is explained by Exodus 22:9-11 ; Le Exodus 6:1-5 . The case of ordeal by self-purgation of oath is supposed. And the oath come . The Septuagint translates here, "and he come and declare by oath," etc.—a translation which a very slight alteration in the Hebrew, consisting in prefixing a vau to the word for swear, will allow. The Vulgate follows the Septuagint. read more
Divine justice. This petition supposes— I. THE COMMISSION OF DELIBERATE WRONG by one man against another. A dispute may readily arise in which each man, affected in his judgment by his own personal interests, believes himself to make a righteous claim. This is a ease for impartial intervention, for the decision of one who is not prejudiced by any interest of his own. But the case here referred to by Solomon is one of deliberate wrong perpetrated by one man against his... read more
The sevenfold illustration. I. THE OATH OF PURGATION . ( 2 Chronicles 6:22 , 2 Chronicles 6:23 .) 1 . The case supposed. ( 2 Chronicles 6:22 .) 2 . The prayer offered. ( 2 Chronicles 6:23 .) II. THE PRAYER OF THE CAPTIVE . (Verses 24, 25.) 1 . The instance selected. That of God's ancient people 2 . The request presented. III. THE CRY OF THE FAMISHED . (Verses 26, 27.) 1 . The distress pictured. Solomon imagines a... read more
The prayer is that God will command his blessing on the oath ordeal. read more
(See Le 2 Chronicles 26:3 , 2 Chronicles 26:17 , 33, 40; Deuteronomy 27:7 , Deuteronomy 27:25 ; also Deuteronomy 4:27 , Deuteronomy 4:29-31 ; Deuteronomy 28:64-68 ; Deuteronomy 30:1 -50 read more
God and the nation. Solomon takes his place and his part on this great occasion as the sovereign of the nation; he prays for the people of the land in the double sense of representing them and of interceding for them. It is the Hebrew nation that was then "before God," and is now before us. We therefore think of— I. NATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY . That is assumed throughout. It is not stated in so many words, but the idea of it pervades the whole prayer. The people of Israel were not at... read more
No rain (see 1 Kings 17:1 ; Le 26:19; Deuteronomy 11:17 ; Deuteronomy 28:23 ). read more
When thou hast taught them; rather, when thou art guiding them to the right way. read more
(See Le 2 Chronicles 26:16 -26; Deuteronomy 28:22-52 , Deuteronomy 28:59 ; Deuteronomy 20:9 .) In the cities of their land . This, to represent correctly the Hebrew, should read, in the land of their gates. Reference probably is being made to the fact that law and justice and judgment were administered "in the gate of the city" ( Deuteronomy 16:18 ; Deuteronomy 21:19 ; Joshua 20:4 ). Thou only knowest (so 1 Chronicles 28:9 ). That they may fear thee (so Psalms 130:4 ... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 6:21
The supplications of thy servant . "The great thought of Solomon now is that the centre and core of all worship is prayer" (Professor Dr. James G. Murphy, in 'Handbook for Bible Classes: Chronicles'). Toward this place (see other instances of this expression, Psalms 5:7 ; Psalms 28:2 ; Psalms 138:2 ; Jonah 2:4 ; Daniel 6:10 ). From thy dwelling-place . 1 Kings 8:30 has, "hear to thy dwelling-place, to heaven," by probably the mere error of a copyist. read more