And the priests could not enter into the house of the Lord ,.... They went in to carry the ark thither, but not being able to stand to minister, they came out, and could not reenter: because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord's house ; both the holy place, and the holy of holies, see 1 Kings 8:10 . read more
The Divine approval. The incident here recorded was one that must have lived for ever in the memory of those who witnessed it. The occasion itself was of surpassing interest; all the accessories were fitted to deepen the impression; and when the miraculous fire came down from heaven upon the altar, there was an event which every present Israelite must have delighted to describe in after-days to those who did not witness it. Its significance was twofold. It was— I. A MANIFESTATION ... read more
The acceptance of Solomon's prayer. I. THE ANSWERING GOD . ( 2 Chronicles 7:1 , 2 Chronicles 7:2 .) By himself set forth ( Isaiah 65:24 ; Jeremiah 33:3 ), by his people recognized ( Psalms 65:2 ; Psalms 99:8 ; Isaiah 58:9 ), and by Christ revealed ( Matthew 7:7-11 ; Matthew 18:19 ; John 16:23 ) as a Hearer of prayer, Jehovah responded to the intercession of Israel's king by a twofold sign. 1 . By fire from heaven. "The God that answereth by fire," said... read more
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
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
2. the priests could not enter—Both from awe of the miraculous fire that was burning on the altar and from the dense cloud that enveloped the sanctuary, they were unable for some time to perform their usual functions (see on :-). But afterwards, their courage and confidence being revived, they approached the altar and busied themselves in the offering of an immense number of sacrifices. read more
4. The celebration of the people 7:1-10This celebration consisted of a seven-day dedication of the bronze altar, followed by the seven-day Feast of Tabernacles. The very large number of sacrifices Solomon offered seems incredible, but there are records of other large sacrifices such as this one that scholars have discovered from ancient times (cf. 1 Kings 8:63). [Note: Edward Curtis and Albert Madsen, A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Books of Chronicles, p. 348.] "The double... read more
C. The Dedication of the Temple 5:2-7:10The dedication ceremony consisted of four parts: the installation of the ark, Solomon’s address to the people, Solomon’s prayer, and the celebration of the people."There can be little doubt that this ceremony, together with God’s response which immediately follows it, marks one of the major climaxes in the Chronicler’s presentation." [Note: H. G. M. Williamson, 1 and 2 Chronicles, p. 213.] read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Chronicles 7:1-11
Here is, I. The gracious answer which God immediately made to Solomon's prayer: The fire came down from heaven and consumed the sacrifice, 2 Chron. 7:1. In this way God testified his acceptance of Moses (Lev. 9:24), of Gideon (Jdg. 6:21), of David (1 Chron. 21:26), of Elijah (1 Kgs. 18:38); and, in general, to accept the burnt-sacrifice is, in the Hebrew phrase, to turn it to ashes, Ps. 20:3. The fire came down here, not upon the killing of the sacrifices, but the praying of the prayer. 1.... read more