2 Chronicles 6

2Ch 6:1-41.

SOLOMON

BLESSES THE

PEOPLE AND

PRAISES

GOD.

1. The Lord hath said that he would dwell in the thick

darkness--This introduction to Solomon's address was evidently

suggested by the remarkable incident recorded at the close of the last

chapter: the phenomenon of a densely opaque and uniformly shaped cloud,

descending in a slow and majestic manner and filling the whole area of

the temple. He regarded it himself, and directed the people also to

regard it, as an undoubted sign and welcome pledge of the divine

presence and acceptance of the building reared to His honor and

worship. He referred not to any particular declaration of God, but to

the cloud having been all along in the national history of Israel the

recognized symbol of the divine presence

(Ex 16:10; 24:16; 40:34;

Nu 9:15;

1Ki 8:10, 11).

13. Solomon had made a brazen scaffold--a sort of platform. But the

Hebrew term rendered "scaffold," being the same as that used to

designate the basin, suggests the idea that this throne might bear some

resemblance, in form or structure, to those lavers in the temple, being

a sort of round and elevated pulpit, placed in the middle of the court,

and in front of the altar of burnt offering.

upon it he stood, and kneeled down upon his knees--After ascending the

brazen scaffold, he assumed those two attitudes in succession, and with

different objects in view. He stood while he addressed and blessed the

surrounding multitude

(2Ch 6:3-11).

Afterwards he knelt down and stretched out his hands towards heaven,

with his face probably turned towards the altar, while he gave

utterance to the beautiful and impressive prayer which is recorded in

the remainder of this chapter. It is deserving of notice that there

was no seat in this pulpit--for the king either stood or knelt all the

time he was in it. It is not improbable that it was surmounted by a

canopy, or covered by a veil, to screen the royal speaker from the rays

of the sun.

18-21. how much less this house which I have built! Have respect

therefore to the prayer of thy servant--No person who entertains just

and exalted views of the spiritual nature of the Divine Being will

suppose that he can raise a temple for the habitation of Deity, as a

man builds a house for himself. Nearly as improper and inadmissible is

the idea that a temple can contribute to enhance the glory of God, as a

monument may be raised in honor of a great man. Solomon described the

true and proper use of the temple, when he entreated that the Lord

would "hearken unto the supplications of His servant and His people

Israel, which they should make towards this place." In short, the grand

purpose for which the temple was erected was precisely the same as that

contemplated by churches--to afford the opportunity and means of public

and social worship, according to the ritual of the Mosaic

dispensation--to supplicate the divine mercy and favor--to render

thanks for past instances of goodness, and offer petitions for future

blessings (see on

1Ki 8:22).

This religious design of the temple--the ONE

temple in the world--is in fact its standpoint of absorbing

interest.

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,

&c.--In cases where the testimony of witnesses could not be obtained

and there was no way of settling a difference or dispute between two

people but by accepting the oath of the accused, the practice had

gradually crept in and had acquired the force of consuetudinary law,

for the party to be brought before the altar, where his oath was taken

with all due solemnity, together with the imprecation of a curse to

fall upon himself if his disavowal should be found untrue. There is an

allusion to such a practice in this passage.

38. If they return to thee . . . in the land of their captivity . . .

and pray toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers--These

words gave rise to the favorite usage of the ancient as well as modern

Jews, of turning in prayer toward Jerusalem, in whatever quarter of the

world they might be, and of directing their faces toward the temple

when in Jerusalem itself or in any part of the holy land

(1Ki 8:44).

41. arise, O Lord God into thy resting-place--These words are not found

in the record of this prayer in the First Book of Kings; but they occur

in

Ps 132:8,

which is generally believed to have been composed by David, or rather

expression to be used when the ark was to be removed from the

tabernacle in Zion to the temple on Mount Moriah.

into thy resting-place--the temple so called

(Isa 66:1),

because it was a fixed and permanent mansion

(Ps 132:14).

the ark of thy strength--the abode by which Thy glorious presence is

symbolized, and whence Thou dost issue Thine authoritative oracles, and

manifest Thy power on behalf of Thy people when they desire and need

it. It might well be designated the ark of God's strength, because it

was through means of it the mighty miracles were wrought and the

brilliant victories were won, that distinguish the early annals of the

Hebrew nation. The sight of it inspired the greatest animation in the

breasts of His people, while it diffused terror and dismay through the

ranks of their enemies (compare

Ps 78:61).

let thy priests . . . be clothed with salvation--or with righteousness

(Ps 132:9),

that is, be equipped not only with the pure white linen garments Thou

hast appointed for their robe of office, but also adorned with the

moral beauties of true holiness, that their person and services may be

accepted, both for themselves and all the people. Thus they would be

"clothed with salvation," for that is the effect and consequence of a

sanctified character.

42. turn not away the face of thine anointed--that is, of me, who

Israel. The words are equivalent in meaning to this: Do not reject my

present petitions; do not send me from Thy throne of grace dejected in

countenance and disappointed in heart.

remember the mercies of David thy servant--that is, the mercies

promised to David, and in consideration of that promise, hear and

answer my prayer (compare

Ps 132:10).