2 Crônicas 6

Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible

2 Crônicas 6

NJB (LXX versing) Solomon's Dedication Solomon's Address to the People and His Prayer of Dedication Solomon's Address to the People 6:1-2 (1-2) Solomon's Speech Upon Completion of the Work 6:1-2 6:1-2 (1-2) Solomon Addresses the People 6:3-11 6:3-11 6:3-11 6:3-6 6:3-11 6:7-9 6:10-11 Solomon's Prayer of Dedication Solomon's Prayer of Dedication Solomon's Prayer Solomon's Prayer for Himself 6:12-17 6:12-17 6:12-17 6:12-17 6:12-20 6:18-21 6:18-21 6:18-21 6:18-21 6:21 Solomon's Prayer for the People 6:22-23 6:22-23 6:22-23 6:22-23 6:22-23 6:24-25 6:24-25 6:24-25 6:24-25 6:24-25 6:26-27 6:26-27 6:26-27 6:26-27 6:26-27 6:28-31 6:28-31 6:28-31 6:28-31 6:28-31 6:32-33 6:32-33 6:32-33 6:32-33 6:32-33 6:34-35 6:34-35 6:34-35 6:34-35 6:34-35 6:36-39 6:36-40 6:36-42 6:36-39 6:36-39 Conclusion of the Prayer 6:40 6:40-42 6:40-42 6:41 6:41 (41) (41) (41) 6:42 6:42 (42) (42) (42) Etc. CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS This is Solomon's great prayer of dedication, also recorded in 1 Kgs. 8:12-50. 2 Chr. 6:1-11, Solomon addresses Israel 2 Chr. 6:12-42, Solomon addresses Israel's God Solomon records YHWH's great acts and promises. promises to David ‒ 2 Chr. 6:4,15 (i.e., 2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17) promises to Abraham ‒ 2 Chr. 6:5 (i.e., Gen. 15:12-21) the choice of Jerusalem for the temple, 2 Chr. 6:6 (i.e., 1 Chr. 21:18-30; 2 Chr. 3:1) YHWH will "build a house for David," i.e., a dynasty, 2 Chr. 6:9-10,16 (i.e., 2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17) There are several kinds of sins mentioned that YHWH is asked to forgive. 2 Chr. 6:22-23, sin against a covenant partner (cf. 1 Kgs. 8:31, i.e., taking an oath of innocence which involved a curse if false, cf. Exod. 22:10-11; Lev. 6:3-5) 2 Chr. 6:24-25, a military defeat because of Israel's sin (i.e., Lev. 26:17,23; Deut. 28:25,36-37,48-54,64) 2 Chr. 6:26-27, loss of agricultural abundance because of sin (i.e., Lev. 26:19; Deut. 28:18,22-24) 2 Chr. 6:28-31, several judgments (cf. 1 Kgs. 8:37) famine (BDB 944) pestilence (BDB 184) blight (BDB 995) mildew (BDB 439) locusts, grasshoppers (BDB 916; BDB 340) besieged cities (BDB 33, KB 38, Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE) plague (BDB 619) sickness (BDB 318) All of these are part of "the curses" (cf. Lev. 26:16,20,25-26; Deut. 28:20-22,27-28,35,42) 2 Chr. 6:32-33, aliens who seek YHWH (cf. Isa. 55:1-5; 56:3-5,6-8) 2 Chr. 6:34-35, warfare with Israel's enemies at YHWH's word (i.e., Lev. 26:7-8; Deut. 28:6-7) 2 Chr. 6:36-39, exile (i.e., Lev. 26:33,44-45; Deut. 28:49-52) Here is what Israel should do in light of YHWH's judgment on sin. repent/return to, 2 Chr. 6:24,26,37,38 confess, 2 Chr. 6:24,26,37 pray, 2 Chr. 6:24,26,32,34,38 make supplication at YHWH's temple, 2 Chr. 6:24,29,37

2 Crônicas 6:1-2

6:1 "He would dwell in the thick cloud" This refers to the cloud that symbolized YHWH's presence (cf. Exod. 13:21; 14:19-20,24; 19:9,16; 20:21; 24:15-16; Deut. 5:22; 1 Kgs. 8:12). 6:2 "Your dwelling forever" YHWH symbolically dwelt above the wings of the cherubim above the mercy seat on the ark of the covenant (i.e., Exod. 25:22). YHWH's personal presence with His people was the goal and blessing of creation! This is Garden of Eden imagery.

2 Crônicas 6:3-11

6:3 "the king faced about" This is an eyewitness detail. This was to "bless" the assembled crowd (2 Chr. 6:4). This is usually reserved for priests. 6:4 "His mouth" There are several anthropomorphic phrases in this chapter. His mouth, 2 Chr. 6:4,15 Your eyes, 2 Chr. 6:20.40 Your mighty hand, 2 Chr. 6:32 Your outstretched arm, 2 Chr. 6:32 Your ears, 2 Chr. 6:40 Your resting place, 2 Chr. 6:41 SPECIAL TOPIC: ANTHROPOMORPHIC LANGUAGE TO DESCRIBE DEITY "to my father" This refers to YHWH's special promises to David in 2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17. 6:5 The exodus was YHWH's fulfilled promise ‒ Gen. 15:12-21 great act of deliverance "choose" YHWH did not choose a particular city (cf. Deut. 12:5,11,14,18,21,26; many other places). But in 2 Chronicles He does (cf. 2 Chr. 6:6,34,38; 12:13; 33:7). This VERB (BDB 103, KB 119, Qal PERFECT) is often used of YHWH's choice of Israel ‒ Deut. 4:37; 7:6,7,8; 10:15; 14:2; 33:3 of a king ‒ Deut. 17:15 of the tribe of Levi as priests ‒ Deut. 18:5; 21:5; 2 Chr. 29:11 of Jerusalem as the place for His temple ‒ 2 Chr. 6:6,34,38; 17:12; 33:7 He is the sovereign One! 6:6 "Jerusalem" See SPECIAL TOPIC: MORIAH, SALEM, JEBUS, ZION, JERUSALEM. "My name" See SPECIAL TOPIC: "THE NAME" OF YHWH. "I have chosen David to be over My people Israel" YHWH chose David as King through Samuel (i.e., found in 1 Samuel 16). 6:7-11 This refers to 2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17; 2 Chr. 28:1-3. It is often called "the Davidic covenant." It confirms the tribe and family the Messiah will come from. 6:7 "house" There is a word play on "house" (BDB 108) meaning temple dynasty 6:11 "the ark" See SPECIAL TOPIC: ARK OF THE COVENANT.

2 Crônicas 6:12-17

6:12 "the altar" See SPECIAL TOPIC: ALTAR OF SACRIFICE. "spread out his hands" The Israelites prayed with their eyes open their heads lifted their hands spread upward This symbolized prayer as a conversation with God (cf. Ps. 134:2; 141:2; 143:6; Lam. 2:19). 6:13 Solomon had made a raised platform (BDB 468, probably round) so that he could be seen and heard. This platform is not mentioned in 1 Kings. "cubit" See SPECIAL TOPIC: CUBIT. "knelt on his knees" Kneeling was an unusual, but not unheard of, position of prayer (cf. 1 Kgs. 8:54; Ps. 95:6; Ezra 9:5; Dan. 6:10). It apparently was a symbol of intensity or humility (cf. Isa. 45:23). 6:14-17 "there is no god like You" This is an idiom of uniqueness and monotheism (cf. 1 Chr. 17:20; 2 Chr. 2:5). SPECIAL TOPIC: MONOTHEISM Notice how YHWH is characterized. keeping covenant (cf. Deut. 7:9) showing lovinkindness to those who walk before You (i.e., lifestyle obedience) with all their hearts (i.e., total commitment) had kept what He promises to David, 2 Chr. 6:15 v. 15 ‒ Qal PERFECT, BDB 1036, KB 1581 v. 16 ‒ Qal IMPERATIVE, BDB 1036, KB 1581 (prayer request) let Your word be confirmed ‒ BDB 52, KB 63, Niphal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense SPECIAL TOPIC: LOVINGKINDNESS 6:14 "Your servants" This terminology is used regularly of national Israel (cf. Lev. 25:42,55; 1 Kgs. 8:23, 32,36; 2 Chr. 6:14,23,27; Neh. 1:6,10,11; Ps. 136:22). Often in the "Servant Songs" of Isaiah, Israel is referred to as "My servant" (cf. Isa. 41:8,9; 42:1,19; 43:10; 44:1,2,21,26; 45:4; 49:3,5,6,7). Israel was chosen as YHWH's special people in order for them to reveal YHWH's reality and character to an estranged, fallen, rebellious world. SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN 6:15 "Your servant David" See SPECIAL TOPIC: MY SERVANT. "as it is this day" See note at 2 Chr. 5:9. 6:16 This "promise" refers to the Davidic Covenant of 2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17. "if only your sons take heed to their way" Notice the conditional elements (cf. 2 Chr. 7:19-20; Lev. 26:14; Deut. 28:15). SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT YHWH had an overarching plan for David and his seed but each of David's descendants had to choose to follow YHWH's laws (i.e., 2 Chr. 7:17). If not, the terrible curses of Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28 came into force. Remember, David's descendants went into Assyrian and Babylonian exile!

2 Crônicas 6:18-21

6:18 This truth was mentioned earlier in 2 Chr. 2:6 and reflects the parallel of this account in 1 Kgs. 8:27. A similar phrase occurs in Isa. 66:1 and is quoted by Stephen in Acts 7:49. "heaven and the highest heaven" See SPECIAL TOPIC: HEAVEN (OT) and HEAVEN AND THE THIRD HEAVEN. 6:19 Notice all the words used for talking to YHWH. have regard to the prayer (BDB 815, KB 937, Qal PERFECT) supplication (BDB 337) listen to the cry ‒ (BDB 1033, KB 1570, Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT) prayer (BDB 813) prays (BDB 813, KB 933, Hithpael PARTICIPLE) 6:20 "toward this house day and night" This is a prayer for YHWH's constant attention to the prayers offered in His temple. 6:21 The purpose of the temple was to acknowledge YHWH's presence and choice of Israel to worship and praise YHWH to seek forgiveness (i.e., Exod. 34:6-7,9; Micah 7:18)

2 Crônicas 6:22-23

6:23 Notice Solomon's prayer for YHWH to hear and act. hear ‒ BDB 1033, KB 1570, Qal IMPERFECT, cf. 2 Chr. 6:21,23,25,27,30,33,35,39 act ‒ BDB 793, KB 889, Qal PERFECT with waw judge ‒ BDB 1047, KB 1622, Qal PERFECT with waw punishing (lit. "returning") the wicked ‒ BDB 996, KB 1427, Hiphil INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT bringing his way on his own head ‒ BDB 678, KB 733, Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT justifying the righteous ‒ BDB 842, KB 1003, Hiphil INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT by giving him according to his righteousness ‒ BDB 678, KB 733, Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT YHWH directs His actions both to the wicked and the righteous!

2 Crônicas 6:24-25

6:25 This goes back to YHWH's promise of a land to the Patriarchs. SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT PROMISES TO THE PATRIARCHS

2 Crônicas 6:26-27

6:27 "the good way in which they should walk" YHWH's law was a clear path (cf. 1 Kgs. 8:36; Ps. 119:105). This same imagery is used in Ps. 16:11; 139:24. This path is straight level clear, unobstructed dry It is easily known and easily traveled. The choice is the covenant partners'!

2 Crônicas 6:28-31

6:30 "render to each according to all his ways" This is a recurrent theme (cf. Job 34:11 Ps. 28:4; 62:12; Pro. 24:12; Eccl. 12:14; Jer. 17:10; 32:19; Matt. 16:27; 25:31-46; Rom. 2:6; 14:12; 1 Cor. 3:8; 2 Cor. 5:10; Gal. 6:7-10; 2 Tim. 4:14; 1 Per. 4:17; Rev. 2:23; 20:12; 22:12). Choices have consequences in time and eternity. "You alone know the hearts of the sons of men" This is why YHWH is the only One who can judge. He knows the motives (cf. 1 Sam. 2:3; 16:7; 1 Kgs. 8:29; 1 Chr. 28:9; Pro. 16:2; 21:2; 24:12; Jer. 11:20; 17:10; 20:12; Luke 16:15; Acts 1:24; 15:8; Rom. 8:27; Rev. 2:23). It is amazing that YHWH fully knows us and still wants humans to be part of His family. The fall damaged "the image and likeness," but did not remove it. New Testament salvation restores the image of God and allows fellowship again! 6:31 "fear" See SPECIAL TOPIC: FEAR (OT). "to walk in Your ways" Notice the conditional element. Remember Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28; Deut. 30:15,19. This decisive choice is known in the OT as "the two ways" (cf. Psalm 1).

2 Crônicas 6:32-33

6:32 "Your mighty hand and Your outstretched arm" This is imagery of YHWH's involvement in the exodus cf. Exod. 6:1,6; 13:9; Deut. 4:34; 5:15; 6:21; 7:19; 9:29; 26:8; 1 Kgs. 8:42; 2 Kgs. 17:36; Neh. 1:10; Ps. 136:12; Jer. 12:17,21). This imagery is also found in Egyptian royal records. When used of YHWH it is anthropomorphic. SPECIAL TOPIC: GOD DESCRIBED AS HUMAN 6:33 "that all the peoples of the earth may know Your name and fear You" This is the universal purpose of Solomon's temple (cf. 1 Kgs. 8:43). YHWH desires that all humans, made in His image, will come to know Him (cf. Gen. 3:15; 12:3; Exod. 19:5-6; Josh. 4:24; 1 Sam. 17:46; 2 Kgs. 19:19; Isa. 37:20; 55:1-5). YHWH chose Israel to choose the world! The NT surely reinforces this great truth (cf. Matt. 28:18-20; Luke 24:46-47; John 3:16-17; 4:42; 20:30-31; Acts 1:8; Rom. 3:19-24; 1 Tim. 2:4; 4:10; Titus 2:11; 2 Pet. 3:9; 1 John 2:2; 4:10,14). This is the unifying truth that holds the Testaments together. SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN.

2 Crônicas 6:34-35

This is imagery of YHWH as both King and Divine Warrior!

2 Crônicas 6:36-39

6:36 "(for there is no man who does not sin)" This is the terrible result of the fall of Genesis 3. This sad truth is expressed in both Testaments. OT Gen. 6:5,11-12; 8:21 Job 14:1,4; 15:14; 25:4 Ps. 14:1-3; 51:5; 58:3 Isa. 48:8; 53:6 NT Rom. 3:9-18,23; 5:12-21; 11:32 Gal. 3:22 SPECIAL TOPIC: THE FALL "they take them away captive to a land far off or near" This is an allusion to exile (i.e., Lev. 26:33; Deut. 28:30-34, 36, 38-41, 49-50, 64-65; Ps. 106:27; Ezek. 12:15). YHWH removed the Canaanites from Canaan because of their sin (cf. Gen. 15:17-21) and when Israel sins He will remove them! 6:37 Notice the threefold confession. we have sinned ‒ BDB 306, KB 305, Qal PERFECT we have committed iniquity ‒ BDB 731, KB 796, Hiphil PERFECT we have acted wickedly ‒ BDB 957, KB 1294, Qal PERFECT 6:38 A whole-hearted, sincere repentance is required for Israel to return from exile (i.e., 1 Kgs. 8:48).

2 Crônicas 6:40

6:40-42 These verses are not found in the parallel from 1 Kings 8 (i.e., vv. 50-53) but are similar to Ps. 132:8-10. There are several emphatic prayer requests. let Your eyes be open, 2 Chr. 6:40 ‒ BDB 224, KB 243, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense let Your ears be attentive, 2 Chr. 6:40 ‒ BDB 834, KB 986, Qal PASSIVE PARTICIPLE used in a JUSSIVE sense, cf. Neh. 1:6,11; Ps. 130:2 arise, 2 Chr. 6:41 ‒ BDB 877, KB 1086, Qal IMPERATIVE let Your priests be clothed with salvation, 2 Chr. 6:41 ‒ BDB 527, KB 519, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense let Your godly ones rejoice, 2 Chr. 6:41 ‒ BDB 970, KB 1333, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense do not turn away the face, 2 Chr. 6:42 ‒ BDB 996, KB 1427, Hiphil JUSSIVE remember Your lovingkindness, 2 Chr. 6:42 ‒ BDB 269, KB 269, Qal IMPERATIVE

2 Crônicas 6:41

6:41 "arise" This is an idiom for YHWH rising from His throne (i.e., 1 Chr. 13:6) to act on Israel's behalf (i.e., Num. 10:35; Ps. 12:5; 68:1; 132:8). "Your resting place" This refers to the ark as YHWH's throne (cf. Ps. 132:8,14). "be clothed with salvation" The OT word "salvation" (BDB 448) means "deliverance." The priests are spoken of in 2 Chr. 6:41 (cf. Ps. 132:6) and the king in 2 Chr. 6:42. SPECIAL TOPIC: SALVATION (OT Term)

2 Crônicas 6:42

6:42 "the face of Your anointed" This is a reference to the Davidic kings who were chosen and meant to be led by YHWH. SPECIAL TOPIC: "ANOINTING" IN THE BIBLE "lovingkindness" See SPECIAL TOPIC: LOVINGKINDNESS (hesed).