2 Crônicas 7
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
2 Crônicas 7
NJB (LXX versing) The Shekinah Glory Solomon Dedicates the Temple The Consecration of the Sanctuary and the Divine Admonition The Dedication of the Temple The Dedication 7:1-3 7:1-3 (3d) 7:1-3 (3d) 7:1-6 7:1-3 Sacrifices Offered 7:4-6 7:4-7 7:4-6 7:4-6 7:7 7:7 7:7 7:7-10 The Feast of Dedication 7:8-10 7:8-11 7:8-10 7:8-10 God's Promise and Warning God Appears to Solomon Again YHWH Appears and Gives a Warning 7:11 God's Second Appearance to Solomon 7:11 7:11-20 7:11-22 7:12-18 7:12-18 7:12-18 7:19-22 7:19-22 7:19-22 7:21-22 Etc.
2 Crônicas 7:1-3
7:1 YHWH confirmed His acceptance of Solomon's temple in two ways. fire fell from heaven and consumed the burnt offering (probably the original ones, not each and every one for the entire week), cf. Lev. 9:24; 1 Kgs. 18:24,38; 1 Chr. 21:26. the shekinah cloud of glory filled the structure; see note at 2 Chr. 6:1. This is not mentioned in 1 Kings 8. See Josephus Antiq. 6.4.4-6. 7:3 "He is good, truly His lovingkindness is everlasting" This was a liturgical faith affirmation (cf. 2 Ch. 7:6,10. See full note at 2 Chr. 5:13. It is possible that only the Levites sang and played music, while the assembly interjected liturgical statements at set points. "lovingkindness" This is a special covenant term for YHWH's covenant loyalty and faithfulness (cf. 2 Chr. 7:6). SPECIAL TOPIC: LOVINGKINDNESS (hesed)
2 Crônicas 7:4-6
7:5 The parallel in 1 Kgs. 8:63 calls these offerings "peace offerings," meaning the assembled multitude could eat most of each animal. This is how this large gathered crowd was fed for 15 days. 7:6 This is another text that links David and Solomon (i.e., 2 Chr. 7:1 and 1 Chr. 21:26). Solomon continues the covenant of David (cf. 2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17). This is also another mention of "Levites." The Chronicler may have been a Levite because he highlights their presence and ministry.
2 Crônicas 7:7
7:7 Apparently there was not enough room on the bronze altar of sacrifice to burn all the animals, so Solomon expanded the burning sites. This was a unique occurrence (cf. 1 Kgs. 8:64-65). There may have been a week of dedication sacrifices and a later week for the Feast of Booths. "the bronze altar" See SPECIAL TOPIC: THE ALTAR OF SACRIFICE.
2 Crônicas 7:8-10
7:8 "from the entrance of Hamath to the brook of Egypt" This is the geographical extensions of the Promised Land (cf. Numbers 34; Joshua 15; 1 Kgs. 4:21). the southern boundary was the brook of Egypt, cf. Num. 33:5; Josh. 15:4,47; it was well into the Negev and level with the Wilderness of Zin; it does not refer to the Nile, but a desert wadi (i.e., Wadi Al-Arish) the northern boundary phrase refers to the southern boundary of the country of "Hammath," not the city. It was above Damascus (cf. 1 Chr. 13:5). The normal idiom for the Promised Land became "from Dan to Beersheba" (the northern city and a southern city). 7:9 Solomon's dedication coincided with the "Feast of Booths." On the eighth day of that annual feast there was a "solemn assembly" (cf. Lev. 23:36; Num. 29:35-38). 7:10 "to their tents" This was an idiom from the days of the wilderness wanderings from which "the Feast of Booths" got its name. By this time Israel lived in houses, not tents (i.e., 1 Kgs. 8:66).
2 Crônicas 7:11
7:11 Solomon's two early building projects (i.e., his palace and the temple) are mentioned (cf. 1 Kgs. 9:1,10). Hiram, king of Tyre, offered building materials and artisans for both.
2 Crônicas 7:12-18
7:12 YHWH had appeared to Solomon earlier in a dream at Gibeon (cf. 1 Kings 3). This is another wonderful personal revelation (cf. 1 Kgs. 9:2-9). 7:13 "If" This covenant is a conditional covenant (see "if," 2 Chr. 7:17 [twice], 17,19). This whole subject of "conditional" or "unconditional" covenants is difficult because YHWH's promises functioned on two levels. His redemptive plans for Israel (i.e., the Messiah, i.e., Isaiah 53), which are unconditional His dealings with individuals, which are always conditional Also remember that in the OT, "the two ways" was certainly conditional (cf. Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28; 30:15,19; Psalm 1). Choices have consequences in time and eternity but so does YHWH's choice of redemption. SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN "shut up the heavens. . ." See note at 2 Chr. 6:26-28. 7:14 Notice the conditions on "My people." humble themselves ‒ BDB 488, KB 484, Niphal IMPERFECT, cf. Lev. 26:41; 1 Kgs. 21:29; 2 Kgs. 22:19; 2 Chr. 12:6,7,12; 32:26 pray ‒ BDB 813, KB 933, Hithpael IMPERFECT seek My face ‒ BDB 134, KB 152, Piel IMPERFECT, cf. Deut. 4:29; 2 Sam. 21:1; 1 Chr. 16:11; 2 Chr. 11:16; Ps. 24:6; 27:8; 34:4; 105:4 turn from their wicked ways ‒ BDB 996, KB 1427, Qal IMPERFECT; This is not a one-time action but an ongoing attitude (i.e., imperfect stems). This attitude set the spiritual stage for YHWH to act. SPECIAL TOPIC: REPENTANCE (OT) "then I will. . ." This is conditional covenant terminology. YHWH is waiting for His covenant people to act like His covenant people. YHWH's blessing flows from obedience (i.e., Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28). I will hear ‒ BDB 1033, KB 1570, Qal IMPERFECT, cf. 2 Chr. 6:19,20,21,23,25,27,30,33,35,39,40 I will forgive ‒ BDB 699, KB 757, Qal IMPERFECT, cf. 2 Chr. 6:21,25,27,30,39 I will heal ‒ BDB 950, KB 1272, Qal IMPERFECT All of these imperfects are in response of sinners seeking Him at the new temple (or facing the new temple, 2 Chronicles 6). All of these are an ongoing promise to God's repentant and obedient children. This was not meant to be a special occasion or a one-time event. Through the years I have heard several sermons on this text applied to the USA. The USA is not national Israel. The USA is not part of YHWH's eternal redemptive plan. Modern believers are not part of a performance-based covenant (i.e., Acts 15; Galatians 3; Hebrews). This text could apply as an application or significance but not as an original intent of the inspired author of Chronicles. Be careful of proof-texting OT texts and bringing them directly into the NT grace-based covenant. "will forgive" Notice this does not involve a sacrifice. It is a declaration from YHWH. This set the theological stage for "declared righteous" of the NT (cf. Romans 4). "heal their land" Exactly what this imagery means is uncertain. It may refer to judgments of Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28 removed restoration of peace and security restoration of proper worship restoration of godly leadership 7:15 This phrase shows that the theological context of chapter 7 goes back to 2 Chr. 6:20,40. 7:16 YHWH wants His people to seek Him. He wants to forgive, restore, and bless them! His fellowship was the purpose of the sacrificial system. "eyes. . .heart" See SPECIAL TOPIC: ANTHROPOMORPHIC LANGUAGE TO DESCRIBE GOD. 7:17 "if" See notes at 2 Chr. 7:13. "walk" See note at 2 Chr. 6:27. "statutes. . .ordinances" See SPECIAL TOPIC: TERMS FOR GOD'S REVELATION. 7:18 This goes back to YHWH's promises to David in 2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17 (cf. 2 Chr. 6:16).
2 Crônicas 7:19-22
7:19 Notice the things that break the fellowship of the covenant relationship. if you turn away (lit. "leave") ‒ BDB 736, KB 806, Qal PERFECT with waw if you forsake My statutes and My commandments ‒ BDB 678, KB 733, Qal PERFECT if you commit idolatry (cf. 1 Kgs. 9:6) ‒ go after ‒ BDB 229, KB 246, Qal PERFECT with waw serve ‒ BDB 712, KB 773, Qal PERFECT with waw worship ‒ BDB 1005, KB 295, Hishtaphel PERFECT with waw This disobedience and idolatry was not a one-time act but a lifestyle. They were YHWH's covenant people in name only. In their hearts, minds, actions they were fertility worshipers. SPECIAL TOPIC: FERTILITY WORSHIP OF THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST 7:20 The consequence of idolatry was exile (cf. 2 Chr. 6:36-37). As YHWH took the pagan nations out of Canaan (cf. Gen. 15:16-21), He will take out the Israelites also (i.e., the Assyrian and Babylonian exiles, cf. Deut. 29:28). Notice 2 Chr. 7:21-22, where YHWH prophesies about how the nations view His judgments on Israel. "I will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples" See 1 Kgs. 9:7-8. I have included my commentary notes from Deut. 28:37. You will become: "a horror," v. 37 "an astonishment" "object of horror" "the astonishment" BDB 1031 I, cf. 2 Kgs. 22:19; Jer. 5:30; 25:9,11,18,38; 29:18; 42:18; 44:12,22; 49:13,17; 50:23; 51:37,41 NASB, NKJV, NRSV "a proverb," v. 37 "the byword" BDB 605, cf. I Kgs. 9:7; Jer. 24:9 "a taunt," v. 37 NKJV, NRSV "a byword" "the laughing-stock" BDB 1042, cf. I Kgs. 9:7; Jer. 24:9