2 Chronicles 7 meaning explained in AI Summary
This chapter describes the dedication of Solomon's Temple and God's response to it.
1. Fire from Heaven: After Solomon finishes his prayer of dedication (covered in chapter 6), fire descends from heaven and consumes the burnt offerings and sacrifices. God's glorious presence fills the Temple, so much so that the priests cannot even enter.
2. People Worship: Witnessing this awe-inspiring event, the Israelites prostrate themselves on the ground, worshipping and praising God for His faithfulness and mercy.
3. Feast of Dedication: A massive celebration follows, lasting fourteen days. The Israelites rejoice and offer countless sacrifices, dedicating the Temple to God.
4. God Speaks to Solomon: After the festivities, God appears to Solomon a second time. He reaffirms His choice of David and Jerusalem, and outlines the conditions for His continued blessing:
- Obedience: If the Israelites walk in God's ways and obey His commands, He will remain with them and bless them.
- Disobedience: If they turn away from Him, worship other gods, and disobey His laws, He will abandon the Temple and the people, making them an object of scorn.
5. Solomon's Actions: Solomon then consecrates the center of the courtyard as the place for burnt offerings, as it was too small to contain all the sacrifices. He also sends the people home, filled with joy and gratitude for all the blessings God has bestowed upon them.
Key Themes:
- God's Glory and Presence: The fire from heaven and the cloud filling the Temple demonstrate God's power and acceptance of Solomon's offering.
- Covenant Relationship: God reiterates the conditional nature of His covenant with Israel. Blessings follow obedience, while disobedience leads to judgment.
- Worship and Obedience: True worship involves not just sacrifices and ceremonies, but a life lived in obedience to God's commands.
This chapter marks a pivotal moment in Israel's history. The Temple stands as a symbol of God's presence among His people, but its future, and theirs, depends on their faithfulness to Him.
2 Chronicles 7 bible study ai commentary
The central theme of 2 Chronicles 7 is Divine Affirmation and Covenantal Conditions. The chapter vividly portrays God's dramatic acceptance of the newly-built Temple through fire and glory, followed by His solemn response to Solomon. This response establishes the clear, conditional terms for Israel's future: national blessing is contingent upon humility and obedience, while disobedience will inevitably lead to judgment and exile. It serves as a pivotal moment defining the relationship between God, His people, His chosen king, and His dwelling place on earth.
2 Chronicles 7 Context
The account is set during the zenith of Israel's United Monarchy under King Solomon, around 959 BC, at the dedication of the First Temple. For the Chronicler's post-exilic audience (c. 450 BC), this chapter was profoundly significant. It was not just history; it was theology explaining why they had been exiled (they had broken the conditions of vv. 19-22) and providing them with the clear, divine blueprint for restoration and maintaining God's favor (vv. 13-16). The narrative validates the Temple as the legitimate center of worship and the Davidic line as God's chosen dynasty, while simultaneously serving as a powerful warning against spiritual complacency.
2 Chronicles 7:1-3
When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. The priests could not enter the temple of the LORD because the glory of the LORD filled it. When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the LORD above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD, saying, “He is good; his love endures forever.”
In-depth-analysis
- Fire from Heaven: A dramatic and unambiguous sign of divine acceptance. This act publicly vindicates Solomon's work and prayer, confirming that God has accepted the Temple as His dwelling place. The fire consumes the sacrifices, showing God Himself is the recipient.
- Glory of the LORD: The tangible, visible presence of God, referred to as kavod YHWH in Hebrew. Its overwhelming nature, preventing the priests from entering, signifies God's holiness and absolute sovereignty over the space. It intentionally parallels the consecration of the Tabernacle.
- Spontaneous Worship: The people's reaction is immediate and visceral: prostration and praise. They recognize the event as a theophany (a manifestation of God).
- "He is good; his love endures forever": This becomes a key liturgical refrain in Israel's worship. The phrase acknowledges God's character (tov - good) and His covenant faithfulness (chesed - steadfast love, mercy).
Bible references
- Leviticus 9:23-24: "...fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the burnt offering... And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown." (Direct parallel at the Tabernacle's dedication).
- Exodus 40:34-35: "Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Moses could not enter... because the glory of the LORD filled it." (Precedent for God's glory filling His dwelling place).
- 1 Kings 8:10-11: "When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place, the cloud filled the temple... for the glory of the LORD had filled his temple." (Parallel account, though Chronicles uniquely adds the detail of the fire).
- Acts 2:2-3: "Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven... They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them." (NT fulfillment where God's Spirit fills His people, the new temple, with a manifestation of wind and fire).
Cross references
Psa 136:1 (Liturgical chant); Eze 10:4 (Glory fills temple); Isa 6:1-4 (God's glory filling temple); Rev 15:8 (Temple filled with glory).
Polemics
The spectacular, tangible affirmation from Yahweh stands in stark contrast to the silent, lifeless idols of surrounding ANE cultures (e.g., Baal, Marduk). While other kings built temples for their gods, Israel's God personally and powerfully inaugurates His own, proving His active presence and power.
2 Chronicles 7:4-7
Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the LORD. And King Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty-two thousand head of cattle and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep and goats. So the king and all the people dedicated the temple of God... Solomon consecrated the middle part of the courtyard that was before the temple of the LORD, and there he offered burnt offerings and the fat of the fellowship offerings, because the bronze altar he had made could not hold all the offerings.
In-depth-analysis
- Scale of Sacrifices: The numbers (22,000 oxen, 120,000 sheep) are likely hyperbolic, a common ANE literary device to express unparalleled magnificence, national unity, and the immense scale of Solomon's devotion and wealth. They signify a feast for the entire nation.
- King's Priestly Role: Solomon, though not from the Aaronic line, leads the dedication and offerings, acting as the nation's federal head and mediator before God. This highlights the king's unique religious function in ancient Israel.
- Consecrating the Courtyard: A practical solution to an overwhelming number of sacrifices. The bronze altar (built by Hiram) was insufficient for the occasion, demonstrating the sheer volume of national thanksgiving. This improvisation shows procedural law could be adapted for extraordinary sacred events.
Bible references
- 1 Kings 8:62-64: "Then the king and all Israel with him offered sacrifices... The bronze altar... was too small..." (Parallel account).
- Numbers 7:88: "...twelve male lambs... this was the dedication offering for the altar after it was anointed." (Precedent of massive offerings for the Tabernacle altar dedication, though Solomon's far exceeds it).
- Deuteronomy 12:6-7: "There... you and your households shall eat in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice in everything you have put your hand to..." (The sacrifices culminate in a national, celebratory feast as prescribed by the Law).
Cross references
2 Chr 1:6 (Solomon's 1000 burnt offerings); 2 Chr 30:24 (Hezekiah's vast Passover offerings); Neh 12:43 (Joy and great sacrifices).
2 Chronicles 7:8-10
So Solomon observed the festival at that time for seven days, and all Israel with him—a vast assembly, from Lebo-hamath to the Wadi of Egypt. On the eighth day they held an assembly, for they had celebrated the dedication of the altar for seven days and the festival for seven days more. On the twenty-third day of the seventh month he sent the people to their homes, joyful and glad in heart for the good things the LORD had done for David and Solomon and for his people Israel.
In-depth-analysis
- Two Festivals: The celebration consists of two seven-day events back-to-back: the seven-day dedication of the altar, followed by the seven-day Festival of Tabernacles (Sukkot). This totals 14 days of worship and celebration.
- Geographical Unity: "From Lebo-hamath to the Wadi of Egypt" represents the ideal, maximal borders of Israel, from the far north to the southern border with Egypt. It emphasizes that this was an all-encompassing national event, uniting every tribe.
- Joyful and Glad: The celebration ends not with solemnity, but with profound joy (sameach v'tov lev - joyful and good of heart). This is the intended result of covenant relationship and true worship. The joy stems from recognizing God's goodness to the king and the nation.
Bible references
- Leviticus 23:34: "‘...on the fifteenth day of the seventh month the LORD’s Festival of Tabernacles begins, and it lasts for seven days.’" (The biblical basis for the second festival being celebrated).
- 1 Kings 8:65-66: "So Solomon observed the festival... On the following day he sent the people away." (Parallel account).
- Nehemiah 8:17: "The whole assembly that had returned from exile... celebrated the festival with very great joy." (The post-exilic community renews this same joyful festival).
Cross references
Deu 16:13-15 (Law of Tabernacles); Gen 15:18 (Ideal borders promised to Abraham); Josh 13:5 (Lebo-hamath as northern border).
2 Chronicles 7:11-16
When Solomon had finished the temple of the LORD and the royal palace... the LORD appeared to him at night and said: “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a temple for sacrifices... if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there for all time.”
In-depth-analysis
- Private Revelation: In contrast to the public fire, God's detailed response comes privately to Solomon "by night," a common time for divine communication (Gen 20:3, 1 Kgs 3:5).
- Answer to Prayer: This is a direct response to Solomon's petition in chapter 6, especially 6:24-31 where Solomon asks God to hear prayers of repentance offered toward the Temple during times of drought, famine, and plague.
- Verse 14: A Formula for Restoration: This verse provides a timeless four-step pattern for reconciliation with God:
- Humble themselves: Recognizing dependence and unworthiness.
- Pray: Actively communicating with God.
- Seek my face: Desiring a relationship with God, not just His gifts.
- Turn from their wicked ways: Genuine repentance that results in changed behavior (teshuvah).
- Conditional Healing: God's response—hearing, forgiving, and healing the land—is conditional upon the people's repentance.
- God's Name, Eyes, and Heart: This is powerful anthropomorphic language. The "Name" (shem) represents His presence and reputation. The "eyes" and "heart" signify God's perpetual, caring, and attentive focus on this specific place and His people who pray there.
Bible references
- Deuteronomy 28:15-45: "...if you do not obey the LORD your God... all these curses will come on you..." (The calamities of v.13—drought, locusts, plague—are covenant curses from Deuteronomy).
- Joel 2:12-13: "‘Even now,’ declares the LORD, ‘return to me with all your heart... Rend your heart and not your garments.’" (A prophetic call for national repentance using similar themes).
- James 4:8-10: "Come near to God and he will come near to you... Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." (A NT echo of the principle of humbling oneself to receive God's grace).
- Matthew 18:20: "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." (Jesus re-centers God's presence from a building to the community gathered in His name).
Cross references
Jer 29:12-13 (Seek and find God); Isa 55:6-7 (Call to repentance); Hos 6:1 (Return to Lord for healing); 2 Chr 6 (Solomon's prayer); Dan 9:3-19 (Daniel's prayer embodying the 7:14 principles).
Polemics
Verse 14 has become a universally cherished text, but its primary context is crucial. "My people" ('ami
) refers specifically to covenant Israel, and "their land" ('artsam
) is the land of Israel. While the principles of repentance are universally applicable to the Church and individuals, scholars caution against applying the specific promise of national "land healing" directly to modern gentile nations without understanding this original context. It's a covenant promise, not a generic political formula.
2 Chronicles 7:17-22
“And as for you, if you walk before me faithfully as David your father did... I will establish your royal throne, as I covenanted with David your father... But if you turn away and forsake the decrees and commands I have given you... then I will uproot Israel from my land... and I will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name. I will make it a byword and an object of ridicule among all peoples. And this temple, which is so imposing, will become a ruin... they will say, ‘Because they forsook the LORD... that is why he has brought all this disaster on them.’”
In-depth-analysis
- Conditionality of the Davidic Covenant: While the covenant with David was ultimately unconditional in providing a messiah (2 Samuel 7), the blessing on individual kings and their immediate reign was strictly conditional on their personal obedience. "As David your father did" sets the standard.
- Uproot Israel: The threat of exile. This is a terrifying prospect, directly contradicting the promise to Abraham. It makes clear that possession of the land is tied to covenant faithfulness. For the Chronicler's audience, this was history—they had been uprooted.
- Temple Rejected: The most shocking part of the warning. The magnificent, newly-consecrated Temple is not a magical talisman ensuring God's protection. If the people forsake God, He will forsake the Temple.
- Byword and Ridicule: Hebrew mashal (proverb, byword) and sheninah (taunt, jeer). Israel's fate would become a cautionary tale among the nations, a public testament to the consequences of abandoning their powerful God. The reason for their ruin would be self-evident to all: apostasy.
Bible references
- Deuteronomy 28:37: "You will become a thing of horror, a byword and an object of ridicule among all the peoples where the LORD will drive you." (The exact warning from the Mosaic Covenant).
- Jeremiah 7:12-14: "‘Go now to the place in Shiloh where I first made a dwelling for my Name... see what I did to it... I will do to this house... just what I did to Shiloh.’" (Jeremiah's "Temple Sermon," making the same argument that the Temple's existence is conditional).
- 1 Kings 9:6-9: "But if you... turn away... then I will cut off Israel from the land... This temple I will reject." (Direct parallel, showing the consistency of the message).
- Matthew 24:1-2: “‘Do you see all these things?’ he asked. ‘Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.’” (Jesus prophesies the destruction of the Second Temple, fulfilling this principle once again).
Cross references
2 Sam 7:12-16 (Davidic covenant); Lam 2:15-16 (Lament over Jerusalem becoming an object of scorn); Deut 29:24-28 (Nations will ask why God did this to the land).
2 Chronicles Chapter 7 analysis
- Theological Structure (Chiasm): The chapter exhibits a structured progression from celebration to warning:A. Public Divine Response (vv. 1-3)B. Public Human Response (vv. 4-10)A’. Private Divine Response (vv. 11-22)
- Prayer Answered: The entire chapter functions as God's point-by-point answer to Solomon's dedicatory prayer in chapter 6. The glory fills the Temple as Solomon requested (6:41), and God outlines the exact conditions for forgiveness that Solomon posed (6:22-39).
- Foreshadowing the Future: For the Chronicler’s original post-exilic readers, this chapter was deeply resonant. They knew the warnings of verses 19-22 had come true. The Temple had been destroyed and they had been exiled. Therefore, they could also trust that the promise of restoration in verse 14 was equally true if they met its conditions.
- Christological Fulfillment: The New Testament reinterprets these themes in Jesus Christ.
- The Temple: Jesus is the true Temple, the place where God's glory dwells perfectly (Jn 2:19-21, Col 2:9).
- The Sacrifice: The fire consuming the offering prefigures Christ's perfect, once-for-all sacrifice accepted by God (Heb 9:26).
- The Presence: God's presence is no longer geographically located in a building but is with His people through the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 3:16, Eph 2:21-22).
- The King: Christ is the perfect Son of David whose throne is established forever, fulfilling the Davidic covenant unconditionally (Lk 1:32-33).
2 Chronicles 7 summary
God spectacularly accepts Solomon's Temple with heavenly fire and His divine glory. He then appears to Solomon, establishing the central covenantal principle for Israel's future: if His people repent, He will forgive and restore them; but if they persist in disobedience, He will reject both them and the Temple, leading to national ruin and exile.
2 Chronicles 7 AI Image Audio and Video









2 Chronicles chapter 7 kjv
- 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.
- 2 And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD's house.
- 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.
- 4 Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the LORD.
- 5 And king Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty and two thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep: so the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.
- 6 And the priests waited on their offices: the Levites also with instruments of music 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.
- 7 Moreover Solomon hallowed the middle of the court that was before the house of the LORD: for there he offered burnt offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings, because the brazen altar which Solomon had made was not able to receive the burnt offerings, and the meat offerings, and the fat.
- 8 Also at the same time Solomon kept the feast seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt.
- 9 And in the eighth day they made a solemn assembly: for they kept the dedication of the altar seven days, and the feast seven days.
- 10 And on the three and twentieth day of the seventh month he sent the people away into their tents, glad and merry in heart for the goodness that the LORD had showed unto David, and to Solomon, and to Israel his people.
- 11 Thus Solomon finished the house of the LORD, and the king's house: and all that came into Solomon's heart to make in the house of the LORD, and in his own house, he prosperously effected.
- 12 And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice.
- 13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;
- 14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
- 15 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.
- 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.
- 17 And as for thee, if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, and do according to all that I have commanded thee, and shalt observe my statutes and my judgments;
- 18 Then will I stablish the throne of thy kingdom, according as I have covenanted with David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man to be ruler in Israel.
- 19 But if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them;
- 20 Then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have sanctified for my name, will I cast out of my sight, and will make it to be a proverb and a byword among all nations.
- 21 And this house, which is high, shall be an astonishment to every one that passeth by it; so that he shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and unto this house?
- 22 And it shall be answered, Because they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, and laid hold on other gods, and worshipped them, and served them: therefore hath he brought all this evil upon them.
2 Chronicles chapter 7 nkjv
- 1 When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the temple.
- 2 And the priests could not enter the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD's house.
- 3 When all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD on the temple, they bowed their faces to the ground on the pavement, and worshiped and praised the LORD, saying: "For He is good, For His mercy endures forever."
- 4 Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the LORD.
- 5 King Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty-two thousand bulls and one hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.
- 6 And the priests attended to their services; the Levites also with instruments of the music of the LORD, which King David had made to praise the LORD, saying, "For His mercy endures forever," whenever David offered praise by their ministry. The priests sounded trumpets opposite them, while all Israel stood.
- 7 Furthermore Solomon consecrated the middle of the court that was in front of the house of the LORD; for there he offered burnt offerings and the fat of the peace offerings, because the bronze altar which Solomon had made was not able to receive the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, and the fat.
- 8 At that time Solomon kept the feast seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great assembly from the entrance of Hamath to the Brook of Egypt.
- 9 And on the eighth day they held a sacred assembly, for they observed the dedication of the altar seven days, and the feast seven days.
- 10 On the twenty-third day of the seventh month he sent the people away to their tents, joyful and glad of heart for the good that the LORD had done for David, for Solomon, and for His people Israel.
- 11 Thus Solomon finished the house of the LORD and the king's house; and Solomon successfully accomplished all that came into his heart to make in the house of the LORD and in his own house.
- 12 Then the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him: "I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice.
- 13 When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people,
- 14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
- 15 Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place.
- 16 For now I have chosen and sanctified this house, that My name may be there forever; and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.
- 17 As for you, if you walk before Me as your father David walked, and do according to all that I have commanded you, and if you keep My statutes and My judgments,
- 18 then I will establish the throne of your kingdom, as I covenanted with David your father, saying, 'You shall not fail to have a man as ruler in Israel.'
- 19 "But if you turn away and forsake My statutes and My commandments which I have set before you, and go and serve other gods, and worship them,
- 20 then I will uproot them from My land which I have given them; and this house which I have sanctified for My name I will cast out of My sight, and will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples.
- 21 "And as for this house, which is exalted, everyone who passes by it will be astonished and say, 'Why has the LORD done thus to this land and this house?'
- 22 Then they will answer, 'Because they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and embraced other gods, and worshiped them and served them; therefore He has brought all this calamity on them.' "
2 Chronicles chapter 7 niv
- 1 When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple.
- 2 The priests could not enter the temple of the LORD because the glory of the LORD filled it.
- 3 When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the LORD above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD, saying, "He is good; his love endures forever."
- 4 Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the LORD.
- 5 And King Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty-two thousand head of cattle and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep and goats. So the king and all the people dedicated the temple of God.
- 6 The priests took their positions, as did the Levites with the LORD's musical instruments, which King David had made for praising the LORD and which were used when he gave thanks, saying, "His love endures forever." Opposite the Levites, the priests blew their trumpets, and all the Israelites were standing.
- 7 Solomon consecrated the middle part of the courtyard in front of the temple of the LORD, and there he offered burnt offerings and the fat of the fellowship offerings, because the bronze altar he had made could not hold the burnt offerings, the grain offerings and the fat portions.
- 8 So Solomon observed the festival at that time for seven days, and all Israel with him?a vast assembly, people from Lebo Hamath to the Wadi of Egypt.
- 9 On the eighth day they held an assembly, for they had celebrated the dedication of the altar for seven days and the festival for seven days more.
- 10 On the twenty-third day of the seventh month he sent the people to their homes, joyful and glad in heart for the good things the LORD had done for David and Solomon and for his people Israel.
- 11 When Solomon had finished the temple of the LORD and the royal palace, and had succeeded in carrying out all he had in mind to do in the temple of the LORD and in his own palace,
- 12 the LORD appeared to him at night and said: "I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a temple for sacrifices.
- 13 "When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people,
- 14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
- 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.
- 16 I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.
- 17 "As for you, if you walk before me faithfully as David your father did, and do all I command, and observe my decrees and laws,
- 18 I will establish your royal throne, as I covenanted with David your father when I said, 'You shall never fail to have a successor to rule over Israel.'
- 19 "But if you turn away and forsake the decrees and commands I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them,
- 20 then I will uproot Israel from my land, which I have given them, and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name. I will make it a byword and an object of ridicule among all peoples.
- 21 This temple will become a heap of rubble. All who pass by will be appalled and say, 'Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this temple?'
- 22 People will answer, 'Because they have forsaken the LORD, the God of their ancestors, who brought them out of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, worshiping and serving them?that is why he brought all this disaster on them.'?"
2 Chronicles chapter 7 esv
- 1 As soon as Solomon finished his prayer, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple.
- 2 And the priests could not enter the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD filled the LORD's house.
- 3 When all the people of Israel saw the fire come down and the glory of the LORD on the temple, they bowed down with their faces to the ground on the pavement and worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD, saying, "For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever."
- 4 Then the king and all the people offered sacrifice before the LORD.
- 5 King Solomon offered as a sacrifice 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep. So the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.
- 6 The priests stood at their posts; the Levites also, with the instruments for music to the LORD that King David had made for giving thanks to the LORD ? for his steadfast love endures forever ? whenever David offered praises by their ministry; opposite them the priests sounded trumpets, and all Israel stood.
- 7 And Solomon consecrated the middle of the court that was before the house of the LORD, for there he offered the burnt offering and the fat of the peace offerings, because the bronze altar Solomon had made could not hold the burnt offering and the grain offering and the fat.
- 8 At that time Solomon held the feast for seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great assembly, from Lebo-hamath to the Brook of Egypt.
- 9 And on the eighth day they held a solemn assembly, for they had kept the dedication of the altar seven days and the feast seven days.
- 10 On the twenty-third day of the seventh month he sent the people away to their homes, joyful and glad of heart for the prosperity that the LORD had granted to David and to Solomon and to Israel his people.
- 11 Thus Solomon finished the house of the LORD and the king's house. All that Solomon had planned to do in the house of the LORD and in his own house he successfully accomplished.
- 12 Then the LORD appeared to Solomon in the night and said to him: "I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a house of sacrifice.
- 13 When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people,
- 14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
- 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place.
- 16 For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that my name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there for all time.
- 17 And as for you, if you will walk before me as David your father walked, doing according to all that I have commanded you and keeping my statutes and my rules,
- 18 then I will establish your royal throne, as I covenanted with David your father, saying, 'You shall not lack a man to rule Israel.'
- 19 "But if you turn aside and forsake my statutes and my commandments that I have set before you, and go and serve other gods and worship them,
- 20 then I will pluck you up from my land that I have given you, and this house that I have consecrated for my name, I will cast out of my sight, and I will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples.
- 21 And at this house, which was exalted, everyone passing by will be astonished and say, 'Why has the LORD done thus to this land and to this house?'
- 22 Then they will say, 'Because they abandoned the LORD, the God of their fathers who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and laid hold on other gods and worshiped them and served them. Therefore he has brought all this disaster on them.'"
2 Chronicles chapter 7 nlt
- 1 When Solomon finished praying, fire flashed down from heaven and burned up the burnt offerings and sacrifices, and the glorious presence of the LORD filled the Temple.
- 2 The priests could not enter the Temple of the LORD because the glorious presence of the LORD filled it.
- 3 When all the people of Israel saw the fire coming down and the glorious presence of the LORD filling the Temple, they fell face down on the ground and worshiped and praised the LORD, saying, "He is good!
His faithful love endures forever!" - 4 Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices to the LORD.
- 5 King Solomon offered a sacrifice of 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep and goats. And so the king and all the people dedicated the Temple of God.
- 6 The priests took their assigned positions, and so did the Levites who were singing, "His faithful love endures forever!" They accompanied the singing with music from the instruments King David had made for praising the LORD. Across from the Levites, the priests blew the trumpets, while all Israel stood.
- 7 Solomon then consecrated the central area of the courtyard in front of the LORD's Temple. He offered burnt offerings and the fat of peace offerings there, because the bronze altar he had built could not hold all the burnt offerings, grain offerings, and sacrificial fat.
- 8 For the next seven days Solomon and all Israel celebrated the Festival of Shelters. A large congregation had gathered from as far away as Lebo-hamath in the north and the Brook of Egypt in the south.
- 9 On the eighth day they had a closing ceremony, for they had celebrated the dedication of the altar for seven days and the Festival of Shelters for seven days.
- 10 Then at the end of the celebration, Solomon sent the people home. They were all joyful and glad because the LORD had been so good to David and to Solomon and to his people Israel.
- 11 So Solomon finished the Temple of the LORD, as well as the royal palace. He completed everything he had planned to do in the construction of the Temple and the palace.
- 12 Then one night the LORD appeared to Solomon and said, "I have heard your prayer and have chosen this Temple as the place for making sacrifices.
- 13 At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or command grasshoppers to devour your crops, or send plagues among you.
- 14 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.
- 15 My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place.
- 16 For I have chosen this Temple and set it apart to be holy ? a place where my name will be honored forever. I will always watch over it, for it is dear to my heart.
- 17 "As for you, if you faithfully follow me as David your father did, obeying all my commands, decrees, and regulations,
- 18 then I will establish the throne of your dynasty. For I made this covenant with your father, David, when I said, 'One of your descendants will always rule over Israel.'
- 19 "But if you or your descendants abandon me and disobey the decrees and commands I have given you, and if you serve and worship other gods,
- 20 then I will uproot the people from this land that I have given them. I will reject this Temple that I have made holy to honor my name. I will make it an object of mockery and ridicule among the nations.
- 21 And though this Temple is impressive now, all who pass by will be appalled. They will ask, 'Why did the LORD do such terrible things to this land and to this Temple?'
- 22 "And the answer will be, 'Because his people abandoned the LORD, the God of their ancestors, who brought them out of Egypt, and they worshiped other gods instead and bowed down to them. That is why he has brought all these disasters on them.'"
- Bible Book of 2 Chronicles
- 1 Solomon Worships at Gibeon
- 2 Preparing to Build the Temple
- 3 Solomon Builds the Temple
- 4 The Temple's Furnishings
- 5 The Ark Brought to the Temple
- 6 Solomon Blesses the People
- 7 Shekinah glory of God
- 8 Solomon's Accomplishments
- 9 The Queen of Sheba
- 10 The Revolt Against Rehoboam
- 11 Rehoboam Secures His Kingdom
- 12 Egypt Plunders Jerusalem
- 13 Abijah Reigns in Judah
- 14 King Asa of Judah
- 15 Asa's Religious Reforms
- 16 Asa's Last Years
- 17 Jehoshaphat Reigns in Judah
- 18 Jehoshaphat Allies with Ahab
- 19 Jehoshaphat's Reforms
- 20 King Jehoshaphat's Prayer
- 21 Jehoram Reigns in Judah
- 22 Ahaziah Reigns in Judah
- 23 Joash Made King
- 24 King Joash Repairs the Temple
- 25 Amaziah Reigns in Judah
- 26 King Uzziah Reigns in Judah
- 27 Jotham Reigns in Judah
- 28 Ahaz Reigns in Judah
- 29 Hezekiah Reigns in Judah
- 30 Passover Celebrated
- 31 Hezekiah Organizes the Priests
- 32 Sennacherib Boasts Against the Lord
- 33 Manasseh Reigns in Judah
- 34 Josiah Reigns in Judah
- 35 Josiah Keeps the Passover
- 36 Judah's Decline