Solomon Brings a Dedication Message For The Temple
September 1, 2020
Commentary
In this passage Solomon looks back (vv. 1-11). It seems that God’s appearance in “thick darkness” (v. 1) reminded Solomon that God had made His presence known to Moses (5:13-14) in a much more modest tabernacle. Now, however, the Lord … would dwell in a more permanent and magnificent place (vv. 1-2). Solomon addressed the people in a blessing (vv. 4-11). First, he praised God for having fulfilled His promises to … David by choosing him and his dynasty, selecting Jerusalem as the divine “residence”, and permitting the erection of a temple (vv. 4-6). Solomon recognizes the presence of the Lord in the audience of all Israel. He gives a brief testimony to the faithfulness of God before offering a prayer of dedication. Solomon shares with the men of Israel that God was faithful in keeping His promise "with His hands” (v.4).
Solomon also looks up (vv. 12-21). We are looking at a great prayer that Solomon gives at the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem. This is a unique prayer from the Old Testament. It is, perhaps, the only passage in the Old Testament that is a formal prayer uttered at a great state occasion. The nearest thing we would have to this scene in America today would be the Inauguration of a President. The whole nation had gathered in the courts of the temple to dedicate the new building that Solomon had erected according to the plans that his father David had drawn, based on the structure of the tabernacle in the wilderness.
Solomon has united the people of Israel. In adoration he said, “there is no God like you anywhere.” A God who keeps His promises. Notice who God shows mercy to (v. 14). His servants who walk before Him with all their hearts. As he prays with all these people, he realizes that God cannot be contained within the walls of the temple (v. 18). He will live with men on the earth. He is interested in human affairs. Walls are important, but revival is more important. The last word in today’s passage points to the heart of this revival. .
Application
In looking back Solomon remembers the promises of God concerning the building of the temple. When God makes a promise, I can be sure He will keep it. If I want to please God in the things I do I need to be sure that I keep my promisesto Him and to others.
2 Chronicles 6:1– 11 (NET)
1 Then Solomon said, “The Lord has said that he lives in thick darkness. 2 O Lord, I have built a lofty temple for you, a place where you can live permanently.” 3 Then the king turned around and pronounced a blessing over the whole Israelite assembly as they stood there. 4 He said, “The Lord God of Israel is worthy of praise because he has fulfilled what he promised my father David. 5 He told David, ‘Since the day I brought my people out of the land of Egypt, I have not chosen a city from all the tribes of Israel to build a temple in which to live. Nor did I choose a man as leader of my people Israel. 6 But now I have chosen Jerusalem as a place to live, and I have chosen David to lead my people Israel.’ 7 Now my father David had a strong desire to build a temple to honor the Lord God of Israel. 8 The Lord told my father David, ‘It is right for you to have a strong desire to build a temple to honor me. 9 But you will not build the temple; your very own son will build the temple for my honor.’ 10 The Lord has kept the promise he made. I have taken my father David’s place and have occupied the throne of Israel, as the Lord promised. I have built this temple for the honor of the Lord God of Israel 11 and set up in it a place for the ark containing the covenant the Lord made with the Israelites.”