John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 6:1-42
See Introduction to Chapter 5 read more
See Introduction to Chapter 5 read more
The dedication, and Solomon's prayer. The ark once within the most holy place, the whole temple seems to wait expectant for its own solemn offering and dedication, to that heaven from which its pattern came, to its own supreme Architect, of whose wisdom it was designed, and of whose inspiration of the mind and heart of so many, its beautiful and costly materials had been ungrudingly given and skilfully wrought. The picture photographed so faithfully in this chapter does not fail of... 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
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
(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
God and the individual soul. Not only during the time of national calamity ( 2 Chronicles 6:28 ), though especially then, do families and individual men find themselves in sore need of Divine succour. There is never any considerable congregation which does not include at least a few hearts that come up in hope of comfort and relief from Heaven. I. THE BURDEN WHICH IS BORNE BY EACH HUMAN HEART . With our complex nature, and our many human relationships, we lie open... read more
Compare Kings (marginal references).Compare Kings (marginal references). read more
Construction of the temple (2:1-7:22)With the help of King Hiram of Tyre, Solomon prepared materials and arranged a workforce to build the planned temple (2:1-18; see notes on 1 Kings 5:1-18). Construction went on for seven years, until the temple, its furniture, its courtyard, and all other articles and decorations connected with it were completed according to plan (3:1-5:1; see notes on 1 Kings 6:1-7:51). The temple was then dedicated to God (5:2-7:22; see notes on 1 Kings 8:1-9:9). read more
Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Chronicles 6:12-41
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 Kgs. 8:12-53) and... read more