See 1 Kings 3:5 ; 1 Kings 9:2 ; Deuteronomy 12:2 , Deuteronomy 12:3 , Deuteronomy 12:5-7 , Deuteronomy 12:11 , Deuteronomy 12:14 ; and, by turning to the last of these sets of references, the emphasis laid here upon the house as the house of sacrifice will be amply accounted for without supposing a rather premature aside as regards synagogues. Meantime, what a feature, manifestly, the sacrifices were! read more
A covenant concerning the Church of God. I. THE PARTIES . 1 . The Lord. Jehovah, the supreme and self-existent Deity ( Exodus 3:14 ), the God of nature, who can "shut up heaven," "command the locusts," "send pestilence" ( 2 Chronicles 7:13 ), as well as the God of grace, who can hear prayer, forgive sin, and heal not only land, but souls ( 2 Chronicles 7:14 ); the God of providence, who can pluck up nations by the roots, and scatter them abroad upon the face of the earth ( ... read more
These three verses (the counterparts of 2 Chronicles 6:26 , 2 Chronicles 6:28 , 2 Chronicles 6:40 ) are not in the parallel. Although we can scarcely trace the principle of their selection from the seven parts of the prayer, they would seem to have been selected from the original work, as samples of a reply which presumably embraced reference to all the seven. When, in 2 Chronicles 7:14 , it is said, I will heal their land , the telling expression, according to the Authorized... read more
This verse glances, as an answer to the contents, or spirit of the contents, of the second petition at 2 Chronicles 6:18-21 . The beautiful touching condescension in the wording of the last clause, Mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually , will not escape notice. read more
The temple, the Temple, and the temples of the Lord. We are reminded in these words of successive manifestations of the Divine to the children of men. We have first— I. THE TEMPLE AT JERUSALEM . This was for many generations and for many centuries the chosen place and method of Divine manifestation. It was: 1 . The sacred place, "chosen and sanctified" of God, the recognized spot where Cod was to be approached, where his presence was markedly and peculiarly felt, where... read more
These two verses glance at the first petition of Solomon's prayer ( 2 Chronicles 6:15-17 ). (See also 2 Chronicles 3:12 ; 2 Samuel 7:12 ; 1 Chronicles 22:10 .) read more
The Divine promise. This is very large and generous, but it is always conditional. God never makes a promise which is absolutely unconditional. We can readily see that it is morally impossible for him to do so; it would be unrighteous, unwise, and, in the end, unkind so to do. tie must and does say, "If … then I will ; if not … then I will not ." So was it (or so is it) with— I. THE ROYAL FAMILY . God's promise to David and to Solomon that the royal house should be... read more
And forsake . The parallel ( 1 Kings 9:6 ) puts it, according to the Authorized Version, "If ye shall at all turn from following me," etc; which rendering on the part of the Authorized Version probably errs by excess. Much mercy, much forbearing, long-suffering, and slowness to anger, were sure to mark the Divine rule; nor would condemnation take effect, nor did it take effect, till the revolt of the people was a thorough revolt, as finally testifying itself in the crucifixion of... read more
The Hebrew text of the first sentence of this verse differs here from that in the parallel; but, in fact, neither text reads satisfactorily and smoothly. The parallel ( 1 Kings 9:8 ) inserts the little word " at, " though without italics, and " which " in italic type. The " at " is no doubt intended to be condoned as supposed to belong to the word astonished; the following verb hiss also permitting, though not requiring, the appendage. Not leaning to the text of the parallel... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 7:1-22
The testimony by fire, and the vouchsafed glory of the Lord. This chapter invites attention to four subjects, no one of which is entirely fresh, but each one of which owns to fresh impressiveness by virtue of position, particularity of description, and the more touching associations which now surround it. Attention, then, may be called first of all and chiefly to— I. THE MARVEL OF THE DESCENDING FIRE FROM HEAVEN . It is remarkable that the parallel ( 1 Kings 8:1-66 .)... read more