Bible Commentaries
2 Chronicles 7

Verse 1

Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house.

The fire … — In token of God’s acceptance of his prayer. The surest evidence of God’s acceptance of our prayers is the descent of his holy fire upon us. As a farther token that God accepted Solomon’s prayer, the glory of the Lord filled the house; the heart that is filled with an holy awe and reverence of the divine glory, to which God manifests his greatness, and (which is no less his glory) his goodness, is thereby owned as a living temple.

Verse 3

And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

With their faces — Thus expressing their awful dread of the Divine Majesty, their chearful submission to the Divine authority, and the sense they had of their utter unworthiness to enter into his presence.

Upon — The cloud first came down upon the house, and then entered into the house, and was seen both within it by the priests, and without it by the people.

Verse 6

And the priests waited on their offices: the Levites also with instruments of musick of the LORD, which David the king had made to praise the LORD, because his mercy endureth for ever, when David praised by their ministry; and the priests sounded trumpets before them, and all Israel stood.

David praised — For David composed the psalms or hymns, and appointed them to be sung by the Levites, and instrumental music to be joined to their voices.

Verse 16

For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.

This house — There will I make myself known, and there will I be called upon.