2 Chronicles 7 Study Notes

7:1-2 Fire had descended from heaven once before on an offering at precisely the same spot where the temple stood—on David’s sacrifice on the threshing floor of Ornan (1Ch 21:25). This dramatic occurrence showed that God approved of what Solomon and the people had done. The glory of the Lord was a cloud and a light so bright that no one could stand in its presence (Ezk 1:28; 10:4).

7:3 This display of God’s glory was publicly visible, reminding everyone of God’s reality and his faithful character. The praise of the worshipers focused on God.

7:4-6 The sacrifice of this many animals required rigorous organization. The priests had specific tasks at their designated area and the offerings were made virtually assembly-line style, while the musicians took turns providing background music, just as David had envisioned.

7:7 Sacrifices were supposed to be made on the altar of the temple, but it was not large enough to accommodate them all. Solomon consecrated the courtyard for this occasion, and the animals were sacrificed right there on the ground.

7:8-9 Since the dedication of the temple also coincided with the festival (Festival of Shelters), many people were in Jerusalem for the celebration of this feast. Hamath is in the far north and the Brook of Egypt is the southern border of Israel, so people were there from the whole country. It is not often that a nation comes together in a celebration of joy, but it surely was the case here.

7:10 Finally after three weeks, Solomon declared the festivities over and sent everyone home. This expression, literally “to their tents,” does not mean that most Israelites were still living in tents rather than houses. This was a familiar figure of speech (10:16). In addition, during the celebration of the Festival of Shelters, many people put up temporary shelters, or booths, to represent Israel’s period of wandering in the wilderness.

7:11 The Chronicler conflates the completion of the temple and of Solomon’s royal palace into one brief sentence. The total time for building the temple, followed by the palace, was 20 years (1Kg 6:38-7:1).

7:12 Ten years earlier, Solomon had begun his reign by visiting the tabernacle at Gibeon (1:7). Just as the Lord had done at Gibeon, he appeared to Solomon at night. This time God confirmed everything for which Solomon had prayed.

7:13-16 This promise presupposes a very specific context. It was given to God’s people, who bear his name, and it is a part of God’s answer to Solomon’s prayer. It refers to times when the Israelites have become faithless to God and are enduring the consequences, whether it was a famine, an invasion, or even the deportation to another country. To be humble . . . pray . . . seek God, and turn from sin are four aspects of one attitude: repentance. If Israel would repent, he would forgive them and heal their spiritual relationship with him associated with the promised land. Furthermore, as was established earlier, the prayer mentioned is specifically intended to refer to prayer in the temple or, if that is not possible, prayer said facing in the direction of the temple. This promise is given specifically to God’s covenant people, and by itself it should not be applied to other nations or to the church. However, these verses reflect God’s gracious nature, and on that basis we may draw out a more fundamental principle—that any person, regardless of ethnicity or location, can come to the Lord with a repentant heart and find forgiveness (see 6:32-33; Jl 2:32; Ac 2:21; Rm 10:13; 1Co 1:2).

7:17-22 The fact that Solomon had been allowed to build the temple showed that he was God’s chosen king and the one whose offspring would continue the line of David on the throne. But if Solomon or his successors proved unworthy, a time might come when there was no longer a throne for David’s offspring to occupy. Just as God was faithful in keeping his promise, he would also be faithful in carrying out his punishment for sin and rebellion. The Lord would not continue the kingdom if the kings refused to follow him.