Bible Commentaries
2 Chronicles 6

Introduction

Second Chronicles Chapter 6

2 Chronicles 6:1 "Then said Solomon, The LORD hath said that he would dwell in the thick darkness."

Solomon had to remind these people, that this smoke and darkness was the presence of the LORD. It had been over 400 years, since the LORD had led them through the wilderness, in a smoke by day and a fire by night.

2 Chronicles 6:2 "But I have built an house of habitation for thee, and a place for thy dwelling for ever."

This was Solomon speaking to the LORD. Solomon’s desire was for the LORD to make His home in the temple in Jerusalem. Solomon saw the temple as a permanent dwelling, unlike the tabernacle which moved from place to place.

2 Chronicles 6:3 "And the king turned his face, and blessed the whole congregation of Israel: and all the congregation of Israel stood."

The dedication of the temple had begun. The people were assembled. Solomon spoke a blessing on the entire congregation. The congregation stood in honor of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 6:4 "And he said, Blessed [be] the LORD God of Israel, who hath with his hands fulfilled [that] which he spake with his mouth to my father David, saying,"

Solomon began by praising the LORD for keeping covenant with David. He had promised David that his son, Solomon, would build the temple. Now, it was a fact. Solomon was overwhelmed by the LORD who does exactly what He says He will.

2 Chronicles 6:5 "Since the day that I brought forth my people out of the land of Egypt I chose no city among all the tribes of Israel to build an house in, that my name might be there; neither chose I any man to be a ruler over my people Israel:"

2 Chronicles 6:6 "But I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there; and have chosen David to be over my people Israel."

These are the Words and the exact statement that the LORD had made to David. It is interesting, to me, that after over 400 years of living in the promised land, the LORD decided to choose a man to lead His people and a city to dwell in upon the earth. Jerusalem would be known as the city of God.

2 Chronicles 6:7 "Now it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel."

It was pleasing to God that David wanted to build Him a house. David loved the LORD with all of his heart. God did not allow him to build the house, because he was a bloody king. David loved the LORD so much, however, that he gathered much of the material to finish the work with before his death.

2 Chronicles 6:8 "But the LORD said to David my father, Forasmuch as it was in thine heart to build an house for my name, thou didst well in that it was in thine heart:"

2 Chronicles 6:9 "Notwithstanding thou shalt not build the house; but thy son which shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house for my name."

The LORD counted it as if David had built the temple, because it had been the desire of his heart to do this. God judges the heart of mankind. The temple in the heart of David was built by his son, Solomon. Solomon did one of the most spectacular things of his time by the building of the temple, but David got even more credit for the building of it from God, because it was the desire of his heart.

2 Chronicles 6:10 "The LORD therefore hath performed his word that he hath spoken: for I am risen up in the room of David my father, and am set on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built the house for the name of the LORD God of Israel."

2 Chronicles 6:11 "And in it have I put the ark, wherein [is] the covenant of the LORD, that he made with the children of Israel."

Solomon could have boasted of all of the finery that had been put in the temple at his command. His wisdom gave all of the credit for the building of the temple to his father, David, and even further, to the LORD who kept His Word. Solomon was aware that he was king, because God ordained it. The ark symbolized the presence of God. The ten commandments represented the covenant God had made with His people.

2 Chronicles 6:12 "And he stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands:"

2 Chronicles 6:13 "For Solomon had made a brasen scaffold, of five cubits long, and five cubits broad, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court: and upon it he stood, and kneeled down upon his knees before all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven,"

This scaffold of brass symbolized judgment. Solomon had bowed on this scaffold and raised both hands to heaven, as if to say to the LORD, judge me for our effort of the temple. His bowing, and raising of his hands, both showed that he had humbled himself before the LORD. This mighty king was not ashamed to kneel to God before this entire congregation. In the next few verses, we read one of the most beautiful prayers in the Bible.

2 Chronicles 6:14 "And said, O LORD God of Israel, [there is] no God like thee in the heaven, nor in the earth; which keepest covenant, and [shewest] mercy unto thy servants, that walk before thee with all their hearts:"

This prayer begins as all prayers to God should, by recognizing the omnipotence of God. He was recognizing God as the self-existent One, the ONLY TRUE GOD.

2 Chronicles 6:15 "Thou which hast kept with thy servant David my father that which thou hast promised him; and spakest with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled [it] with thine hand, as [it is] this day."

This was thanksgiving to God for the things He had done in the past. This spoke of God keeping His Word always.

2 Chronicles 6:16 "Now therefore, O LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that which thou hast promised him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit upon the throne of Israel; yet so that thy children take heed to their way to walk in my law, as thou hast walked before me."

His prayer to God was that the blessings of the covenant would not end with David, but would continue on forever. He was asking that his descendents, as well as David’s would sit upon the throne of Israel as God had promised, if they kept His commandments.

2 Chronicles 6:17 "Now then, O LORD God of Israel, let thy word be verified, which thou hast spoken unto thy servant David."

This was a request for God to hear and answer the prayers of the Israelites, just as He had heard and answered David’s prayers. Let them know that you are Truth, as David did.

2 Chronicles 6:18 "But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built!"

There was a sudden awareness of the omnipresence of God by Solomon, here. He was suddenly aware of the greatness of God that could not be contained by the world that was His creation.

2 Chronicles 6:19 "Have respect therefore to the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and the prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee:"

2 Chronicles 6:20 "That thine eyes may be open upon this house day and night, upon the place whereof thou hast said that thou wouldest put thy name there; to hearken unto the prayer which thy servant prayeth toward this place."

Solomon believed that God heard David’s prayers and answered them. He, also, knew that God had answered prayers for him in the past. This was a plea for God to continue hearing his prayers, and the prayers of His people. They would pray toward the temple, because they knew the presence of the LORD was there.

2 Chronicles 6:21 "Hearken therefore unto the supplications of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, which they shall make toward this place: hear thou from thy dwelling place, [even] from heaven; and when thou hearest, forgive."

Solomon suddenly was aware that he was what he was, because God made him that. He knew that prayer was man’s way of communicating with his God. Solomon plead with God to listen to the earnest prayers of His people. He knew that all sin, so he asked God to forgive His people and answer their prayers.

2 Chronicles 6:22 "If a man sin against his neighbour, and an oath be laid upon him to make him swear, and the oath come before thine altar in this house;"

2 Chronicles 6:23 "Then hear thou from heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, by requiting the wicked, by recompensing his way upon his own head; and by justifying the righteous, by giving him according to his righteousness.”

Now, we see specific prayer requests. This was also a recognition that only God, Himself, knows who is right in such a situation. Solomon asked God to punish the guilty, Himself.

2 Chronicles 6:24 "And if thy people Israel be put to the worse before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee; and shall return and confess thy name, and pray and make supplication before thee in this house;"

2 Chronicles 6:25 "Then hear thou from the heavens, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which thou gavest to them and to their fathers."

We see a recognition by Solomon of why Israel would lose a war. Their sin would bring defeat upon them. We, also, see the only solution to this problem was to repent and return to God. Solomon asked God to never weary in forgiving His people, when they repented and asked for forgiveness. We know from these Bible studies, that God did answer this prayer, and is even today still answering this prayer. They have sinned and been scattered many times. God had forgiven them, when they repented and gave them back their land.

2 Chronicles 6:26 "When the heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; [yet] if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou dost afflict them;"

2 Chronicles 6:27 "Then hear thou from heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, when thou hast taught them the good way, wherein they should walk; and send rain upon thy land, which thou hast given unto thy people for an inheritance."

Solomon knew these people were a rebellious people. He, also, knew that drougths came many times to punish the sins of God’s people. God would withhold the rain to cause them to repent. Solomon asked God to forgive them when they prayed for forgiveness, and let it rain again.

2 Chronicles 6:28 "If there be dearth in the land, if there be pestilence, if there be blasting, or mildew, locusts, or caterpillars; if their enemies besiege them in the cities of their land; whatsoever sore or whatsoever sickness [there be]:"

2 Chronicles 6:29 "[Then] what prayer [or] what supplication soever shall be made of any man, or of all thy people Israel, when every one shall know his own sore and his own grief, and shall spread forth his hands in this house:"

2 Chronicles 6:30 "Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men:)"

We should know from this prayer, that many problems that come on a land and its people are sent by God, Himself. Much of the trouble in our land today is a punishment from God, to cause people to repent. The sin is not the important thing. The repenting is what is important. "Repent" means not only to confess our sins and get forgiveness, but to walk in the opposite direction than the way that caused the sin.

2 Chronicles 6:31 "That they may fear thee, to walk in thy ways, so long as they live in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers."

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. We should walk in the ways of the LORD to please God. These Israelites were not always in the way of the LORD. Solomon prayed that they would walk in the ways of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 6:32 "Moreover concerning the stranger, which is not of thy people Israel, but is come from a far country for thy great name’s sake, and thy mighty hand, and thy stretched out arm; if they come and pray in this house;"

2 Chronicles 6:33 "Then hear thou from the heavens, [even] from thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for; that all people of the earth may know thy name, and fear thee, as [doth] thy people Israel, and may know that this house which I have built is called by thy name."

This is almost prophetic that God would send His Son that all who believed might be saved. This is a very strange thing for a Hebrew, to recognize other nations as being under God, as well. Solomon was requesting that God would hear the prayers of the heathen people, as well as Israel.

2 Chronicles 6:34 "If thy people go out to war against their enemies by the way that thou shalt send them, and they pray unto thee toward this city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name;"

2 Chronicles 6:35 "Then hear thou from the heavens their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause."

This is a prayer request for God to be with them in battles against their enemies, when they pray for His help.

2 Chronicles 6:36 "If they sin against thee, (for [there is] no man which sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them over before [their] enemies, and they carry them away captives unto a land far off or near;"

2 Chronicles 6:37 "Yet [if] they bethink themselves in the land whither they are carried captive, and turn and pray unto thee in the land of their captivity, saying, We have sinned, we have done amiss, and have dealt wickedly;"

2 Chronicles 6:38 "If they return to thee with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, whither they have carried them captives, and pray toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, and [toward] the city which thou hast chosen, and toward the house which I have built for thy name:"

2 Chronicles 6:39 "Then hear thou from the heavens, [even] from thy dwelling place, their prayer and their supplications, and maintain their cause, and forgive thy people which have sinned against thee."

This really did happen and God’s people did pray toward the location of the temple and God did forgive them and brought them back into the land. The Babylonian captivity of Judah was a prime example of this.

2 Chronicles 6:40 "Now, my God, let, I beseech thee, thine eyes be open, and [let] thine ears [be] attent unto the prayer [that is made] in this place."

This was a plea for God to pay special attention to His own people when they prayed in the temple Solomon had built for God to dwell in.

2 Chronicles 6:41 "Now therefore arise, O LORD God, into thy resting place, thou, and the ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness."

The smoke of the LORD had completely filled the temple. Solomon knew that the presence of the LORD would be ever present in the most holy place in the temple. It would be terrible to have a priest who was not saved. The prayer was that all of those who ministered salvation to others would be saved themselves. The joy of the LORD is the strength of the believer {saint}.

2 Chronicles 6:42 "O LORD God, turn not away the face of thine anointed: remember the mercies of David thy servant."

There were many whom God had anointed. This was, possibly, Solomon speaking of himself. He wanted to remain as faithful to God as he was this day. It could, also, be a prophetic statement about the Lord Jesus Christ. It is His act of mercy to all mankind that makes salvation available to all who will. In Jesus Christ is fulfilled the everlasting throne of David.

2 Chronicles 6 Questions

1. The LORD had said that He would dwell in the ________ _________.

2. How long had it been, since the LORD had led them through the wilderness?

3. Who had built a habitation for the LORD?

4. How would the temple differ from the tabernacle?

5. What did the congregation do, when Solomon spoke a blessing on them?

6. How did Solomon begin?

7. What city did God choose to dwell in with His people?

8. Who did God say He had chosen to rule His people Israel?

9. Jerusalem would be known as the city of ______.

10. Who had it in his heart, to build a house for name of the LORD God of Israel?

11. Why did God not allow him to build the house?

12. How did God grant David’s wish for the temple to be built?

13. The ______ symbolized the presence of God.

14. What did Solomon stand on before he prayed.

15. What did he do when he prayed?

16. Quote 2 Chronicles 6:14.

17. How should all prayers begin?

18. What promise to David does Solomon ask God to keep?

19. In verse 18, we find that the _______ of _______ could not contain God.

20. The people pray toward the __________.

21. Why do they pray toward that?

22. Where did Solomon say was God’s dwelling place?

23. Who is the only one who knows the truth in certain situations?

24. Why would Israel lose a war?

25. What are some of the things God would do to cause His people to repent?

26. The ______ of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.

27. What was strange about a Hebrew recognizing other people?

28. Who sins against God?

29. What special plea did Solomon make to God about His people?

30. Where would the presence of the LORD be in the temple?

Verses 1-11

2Ch 6:1-11

2 Chronicles 6:1-11

SOLOMON ADDRESSES ISRAEL;

HIS DEDICATORY PRAYER;

HIS ADDRESS

"Then spake Solomon, Jehovah hath said he that would dwell in the thick darkness. But I have built thee a house of habitation, and a place for thee to dwell in for ever. And the king turned his face, and blessed all the assembly of Israel: and all the assembly of Israel stood.

"And he said, Blessed be the God of Israel, who spake with his mouth to David my father, and with his hands hath fulfilled it, saying, Since the day that I brought forth my people out of the land of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build a house in, that my name might be there; neither chose I any man to be prince over my people Israel: but I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there, and have chosen David to be over my people Israel. Now it was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of Jehovah, the God of Israel. But Jehovah said unto David my father, Whereas it was in thy heart to build a house for my name, thou didst well that it was in thy heart: nevertheless thou shalt not build the house; but thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house for my name. And Jehovath hath performed the word that he spake; for I am risen up in the room of David, and sit on the throne of Israel, as Jehovah promised, and have built the house for the name of Jehovah, the God of Israel. And therein have I set the ark, wherein is the covenant of Jehovah, which he made with the children of Israel."

Without supposing for a moment that Solomon was insincere in this address, we must nevertheless conclude that he was profoundly mistaken in his positive identification of himself as that descendant who would build God a house for his name forever. That Person was none other than Jesus Christ our Lord. That Holy One was to be God’s Son, and God would be his father. On the other hand David, not God, was Solomon’s father; and also, that Great Builder of the true Temple of God, namely, the Church of Jesus Christ, was one who would rise up after David. Solomon rose up with David and was co-regent with David for an unknown number of years. See 2 Samuel 8.

E.M. Zerr:

2 Chronicles 6:1. They said Solomon, etc. I have commented in much detail on this speech mid prayer of Solomon in 1 Kings 8. The reader is requested to consult that comment to save space here. However, I shall group several verses and call attention to a few special expressions of interest.

2 Chronicles 6:2-10. Loins is from CHALATS and refers to the thick part of the body. The ancients believed that the reproductive germ of a man came from that part of his body. That is why we have so frequent a reference to a man’s "loins" when speaking of his offspring. Genesis 35:11 had predicted something along this line, and Solomon acknowledges the fulfillment.

2 Chronicles 6:11. Of the three things that were once in the ark, the most important was the tables of the covenant. They were still therein and Solomon mentions the subject in direct connection with the placing of the ark in the house of the Lord.

Verses 12-17

2Ch 6:12-17

2 Chronicles 6:12-17

THE DEDICATORY PRAYER

"And he stood before the altar of Jehovah in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread forth his hands (for Solomon had made a brazen scaffold, five cubits long, and five cubits broad, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court; and upon it he stood, and kneeled down upon his knees before all the assembly of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven); and he said, O Jehovah, the God of Israel, there is no god like thee, in heaven, or on earth; who keepest covenant and lovingkindness with thy servants, that walk before thee with all their heart; who hast kept with thy servant David my father that which thou didst promise him: yea, thou spakest with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with thy hand, as it is this day. Now therefore, O Jehovah, the God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that which thou hast promised him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel, if only thy children take heed to their way, to walk in my law as thou hast walked before me. Now therefore, O Jehovah, the God of Israel, let thy word be verified, which thou spakest unto thy servant David."

This is an appeal for God to keep his promises:

E.M. Zerr:

2 Chronicles 6:12-23. There are two expressions in this paragraph on which I will offer comments. In V. 14 the mercy of the Lord is promised to those "that walk before thee with all their hearts." The blessings of God have always been made conditional on the obedience of man. The other is in 2 Chronicles 6:21 concerning the prayer of Solomon for the sake of the people. He asks the Lord to forgive the sins of the people when thou hearest. The prayer of Solomon was accepted, which means that sins were actually forgiven in those times, not just "rolled forward."

Verses 18-21

2Ch 6:18-21

2 Chronicles 6:18-21

"But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have builded! Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O Jehovah, my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee; that thine eyes be open toward this house day and night, even toward the place whereof thou hast said that thou wouldest put thy name there; to hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall pray toward this place. And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: yea, hear thou from thy dwelling place, even from heaven; and when thou hearest, forgive."

In these verses Solomon prays for forgiveness for himself and Israel:

E.M. Zerr:

2 Chronicles 6:12-23. There are two expressions in this paragraph on which I will offer comments. In 2 Chronicles 6:14 the mercy of the Lord is promised to those "that walk before thee with all their hearts." The blessings of God have always been made conditional on the obedience of man. The other is in 2 Chronicles 6:21 concerning the prayer of Solomon for the sake of the people. He asks the Lord to forgive the sins of the people when thou hearest. The prayer of Solomon was accepted, which means that sins were actually forgiven in those times, not just "rolled forward."

Verses 22-23

2Ch 6:22-23

2 Chronicles 6:22-23

"If a man sin against his neighbor, and an oath be laid upon him to cause him to swear, and he come and swear before thine altar in this house; then hear thou from heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, requiting the wicked, to bring his way upon his own head; and justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness."

These verses constitute a prayer for God to execute justice against evil-doers:

E.M. Zerr:

2 Chronicles 6:12-23. There are two expressions in this paragraph on which I will offer comments. In 2 Chronicles 6:14 the mercy of the Lord is promised to those "that walk before thee with all their hearts." The blessings of God have always been made conditional on the obedience of man. The other is in 2 Chronicles 6:21 concerning the prayer of Solomon for the sake of the people. He asks the Lord to forgive the sins of the people when thou hearest. The prayer of Solomon was accepted, which means that sins were actually forgiven in those times, not just "rolled forward."

Verses 24-25

2Ch 6:24-25

2 Chronicles 6:24-25

"And if thy people Israel be smitten down before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee, and shall turn again, and confess thy name, and pray and make supplication before thee in this house; then hear thou from heaven, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which thou gavest to them and to their fathers."

A prayer that even after sin and defeat Israel may find forgiveness if they repent, confess, and pray:

E.M. Zerr:

2 Chronicles 6:24-25. The same idea about forgiveness at the time of prayer is expressed in this paragraph. The specific condition on which the favor is to be granted is that the people return and confess.

Verses 26-27

2Ch 6:26-27

2 Chronicles 6:26-27

"When the heavens are shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou dost afflict them: then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, when thou teachest them the good way wherein they should walk; and send rain upon thy land, which thou hast given to thy people for an inheritance."

That Israel through repentance and prayer may end a drought:

E.M. Zerr:

2 Chronicles 6:26-27. In the days of special providence, God occasionally punished his people by withholding rain; there is an account of it in 1 Kings 17. The scourge was to be removed upon the penitence of the people. They were to express that penitence by praying toward this place, which means the temple. Taught them the good way refers to the teaching they received the "hard way," which means in the school of experience.

Verses 28-31

2Ch 6:28-31

2 Chronicles 6:28-31

"If there be in the land famine, if there be pestilence, if there be blasting or mildew, locust or caterpillar; if their enemies besiege them in their cities; whatsoever plague or whatsoever sickness there be; what prayer and supplication soever be made by any man, or by all thy people Israel, who shall know every man his own plague and his own sorrow, and shall spread forth his hands toward this house: then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according to all his ways, whose heart thou knowest (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of the children of men): that they may fear thee, to walk in thy ways, so long as they live in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers."

That Israel through repentance and prayer may find relief from any kind of calamity:

E.M. Zerr:

2 Chronicles 6:28-31. Nothing much that is new is offered in this paragraph. It is interesting, however, to note the numerous misfortunes that are enumerated in one verse. We should be impressed with the vast resources of the Lord for carrying out his will.

Verses 32-33

2Ch 6:32-33

2Ch 6:32-33

"Moreover concerning the foreigner, that is not of thy people Israel, when he shall come from a far country for thy great name’s sake, and thy mighty hand, and thine outstretched arm; when they shall come and pray toward this house: then hear thou from heaven, even from thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the foreigner calleth to thee for; that all the peoples of the earth may know thy name, and fear thee, as doth thy people Israel, and that they may know that this house which I have built is called by thy name."

That non-Israelites also may be heard and blessed of God:

E.M. Zerr:

2Ch 6:32, 33. We generally think of people on the "outside" as not having any right to the institution of the Lord. But we again must remember that the Mosaic system was a combination of religion and civil government. It is always in order for aliens to participate in the benefits of our country. On that basis it was proper for the strangers (aliens) to participate in the privileges of the Israelite country.

Verses 34-35

2Ch 6:34-35

2 Chronicles 6:34-35

"If thy people go out to battle against their enemies, by whatsoever way thou shalt send them, and they pray unto thee toward this city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name; then hear thou from heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause."

That Israel in battle may have victory through prayer:

E.M. Zerr:

2 Chronicles 6:34-35. By the way that thou shalt send them. This is said on the subject of war. It shows that God had something to do in the action of warfare at that time. If war is wrong morally then it always was wrong. That would mean that God sent people out on a mission that was wrong, for even the most ardent pacifists will admit that God endorsed war in the old times.

Verses 36-39

2Ch 6:36-39

2 Chronicles 6:36-39

"If they sin against thee (for there is no man that sinneth not), and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captive unto a land far off or near; yet if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they are carried captive, and turn again, and make supplication unto thee in the land of their captivity, saying, We have sinned, we have done perversely, and have dealt wickedly; if they return unto thee with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, whither they have carried them captive, and pray toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, and the city which thou hast chosen, and toward the house which I have built for thy name: then hear thou from heaven, even from thy dwelling place, their prayer and their supplications, and maintain their cause, and forgive thy people who have sinned against thee."

That even if carried away captive Israel still may be heard and blessed of God:

E.M. Zerr:

2 Chronicles 6:36. No man which sinneth not. This declaration is in agreement with the teaching of 1 John 1:8; 1 John 1:10. There is no pleasure in the thought that all men sin, but there is much encouragement in the thought that God understands, and has made provisions of mercy for all who will become penitent for their sins.

2 Chronicles 6:37-39. Solomon made a conditional prediction that actually came to pass. The same prediction is made, in more specific and pathetic ’terms, in Psalms 137. Then we may see the fulfillment of this woeful state of mind in Ezekiel 37:11. It should be noted that Israel was in Babylonian captivity at the time the last passage was written, and that would make it actual history. The history of an event that had been predicted is what proves its fulfillment, so we have a noted instance before us of a conditional prophecy that became a fulfilled fact. The history of Israel shows that God heard the groaning of his people in Babylon, and brought them out after all the purposes of that punishment had been accomplished.

Verses 40-42

2Ch 6:40-42

2 Chronicles 6:40-42

"Now, O my God, let, I beseech thee, thine eyes be open, and let thine ears be attentive unto the prayer that is made in this place. Now therefore, arise, O Jehovah God, into thy resting place, thou, and the ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O Jehovah God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness. O Jehovah God, turn not away the face of thine anointed: remember thy lovingkindness to David thy servant."

Conclusion of Solomon’s dedicatory prayer:

The theology of this prayer is glorious indeed. (a) God dwells not in any earthly place, "the heaven of heavens cannot contain him." (b) Forgiveness of sins is available only for those who repent (turn again), confess, and pray. (c) The blessing of God is not for any race alone, not even for Israel; but it is also for those who are not of Israel. (d) All have sinned. (e) Disasters of various kinds come upon men because of their wickedness. (e) The great need of every man is forgiveness. Note how often the plea for God to forgive is uttered. (f) The omniscience of God who knows the hearts of all men, etc.

No fault may be found in this magnificent prayer. It probably represents the very zenith of Solomon’s spiritual life. What a pity that the great man who prayed this prayer became the prime builder of pagan temples in his generation! We shall not attempt to make excuse for Solomon’s disastrous failure, other than to point out that the ancient proverb, namely, that POWER CORRUPTS; AND TOTAL POWER CORRUPTS TOTALLY, was amazingly verified in the life of Solomon.

As we have already pointed out, these chapters are virtually identical with the account in First Kings, where what comments we have on this are written.

E.M. Zerr:

2 Chronicles 6:40-42. It is refreshing to observe the devotion of Solomon as it is connected with the temple. Only when the prayers of the people shall have been directed toward that holy institution did he expect God to hear them. That principle holds good today under the New Testament teaching. Only when our religious activities are offered through the spiritual temple, the church, will God accept them. (Ephesians 3:21)