(39) Their supplications.—Kings, sing.; and so some MSS., LXX., Syriac, and Arabic. The plural is found nowhere else, and is probably incorrect here.And forgive thy people.—This is the first clause of 1 Kings 8:50; and from this point to the end of Solomon’s Prayer, the two texts are wholly dissimilar. read more
The Blessing of Unrealized Aims 2 Chronicles 6:8 According to the old story, our own Queen Mary is reported to have said to her courtiers that after her death they would find the word Calais graven upon her heart so long had she brooded upon the loss of that French sea-coast town. Had you examined King David's heart you would have found graven upon it the picture of a temple. That temple had been David's dream. In vision he had for years seen it crowning the crest of Zion. Night and day he... read more
CHAPTER 6 Solomon’s Address and Dedicatory Prayer 1. Solomon’s address to the congregation (2 Chronicles 6:1-11 ) 2. Solomon’s dedicatory prayer (2 Chronicles 6:12-42 ) The report of Solomon’s address is the same as recorded in 1 Kings 8:12-21 . The opening statement of this chapter has been well characterized as a pregnant expression of the king’s realization of the mystery of the Being of Jehovah, the all-creative God, as well as the condescension displayed in His self-limitation to... read more
SOLOMON SPEAKS TO GOD AND TO THE PEOPLE (vv.1-11) Solomon began his inauguration address by first speaking to the Lord, reminding Him that He had said He would dwell in the dark cloud and that he (Solomon) had built this exalted house for the Lord to dwell in. Then he turned to address the whole assembly of Israel, the people standing at attention. We are told he blessed them, but the way he did this was by saying, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who has fulfilled with His hands what... read more
SOLOMON ’S REIGN HIS PRAYER AND ITS ANSWER (2 Chronicles 1:1-3 ) With verses three and four compare 1 Chronicles 16:0 , and especially 1 Chronicles 16:37-40 . The tabernacle at Gibeon was the legal place for worship, but the threshing-floor on Matthew Moriah was chosen by David for the reason given (1 Chronicles 21:29 ). A comparison with the corresponding place in 1 Kings will show how this account is abbreviated as the matter was not necessary to the author’s purpose. HIS POWER AND... read more
Solomon's Dedicatory Prayer 2 Chronicles 6:0 "Then said Solomon, The Lord hath said that he would dwell in the thick darkness" ["gloom of clouds" (Exodus 20:21 ; Deuteronomy 4:11 ; Psa 18:9 )] ( 2Ch 6:1 ). THAT is the true conception of God at a given point in our spiritual education. Clouds and darkness are round about him, righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne: the light is darkness. Thus we are in the Christian sense agnostics. Our brightest thinking hardly... read more
I refer the Reader to the observations made on this prayer already in the Commentary on the 1 Kings 8:0 . And only by way of enforcing what was there said, I would beseech the Reader, as he goeth over every part of it, to keep an eye stedfastly fixed on our glorious Solomon, whom the king of Israel here personated as his type. It is Jesus alone who is the intercessor, the high Priest, the advocate of his people. By virtue of his blood and righteousness the divine favour can alone be obtained.... read more
Solomon's Dedicatory Prayer v. 12. And he stood before the altar of the Lord, facing the altar of burnt offerings, in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands, in a gesture of entreaty; v. 13. for Solomon had made a brazen scaffold, a pulpitlike platform, of five cubits long and five cubits broad and three cubits high (approximately nine by nine by five feet), and had set it in the midst of the court; and upon it he stood, visible to the entire multitude, ... read more
2. Solomon praises the Lord on his Entrance into the new Temple: 2 Chronicles 6:1-112 Chronicles 6:1.Then said Solomon, The Lord hath said that He would dwell in darkness. 2And I, even I, have built a house of abiding for Thee, and a place for Thy dwelling for ever.3And the king turned his face, and blessed the whole congregation of Israel: and all the congregation of Israel stood. 4And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who hath spoken with His mouth to David my father, and by His... read more
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John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Chronicles 6:1-42
Solomon’s PrayerThe first 39 vv. of this chapter repeat 1 Kings 8:12-50, the conclusion of the prayer, as given in 1 Kings 8:51-61, being omitted and three additional vv. being substituted.5. Neither chose I any man] Saul, though chosen, was subsequently rejected: 1 Samuel 15:26.13. For Solomon had made, etc.] This is not mentioned in 1 Kings 8.41. Now therefore arise, etc.] The same words occur in Psalms 132:8, Psalms 132:9. Be clothed with.. goodness] i.e. enjoy victory and prosperity.42.... read more