Solomon’s Prayer at The Temple Dedication
February 14, 2021
Commentary
In the passage today God 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. Today we see as he leads the nation in prayer (record of this prayer is also given in I Kings 8:22-50). In adoration he says “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. Solomon has made a “Brazen scaffold” (platform) from which he addressed the people and offered his dedicatory prayer. 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
I must confess that I have not been pleading with God for revival and we desperately need it. I don’t believe it is going to happen unless we desire it and plead for it and that begins with me.
2 Chronicles 6:12– 21 (NET)
12 He stood before the altar of the Lord in front of the entire assembly of Israel and spread out his hands. 13 Solomon had made a bronze platform and had placed it in the middle of the enclosure. It was 7½ long, 7½ wide, and 4½ feet high. He stood on it and then got down on his knees in front of the entire assembly of Israel. He spread out his hands toward the sky, 14 and prayed: “O Lord God of Israel, there is no god like you in heaven or on earth! You maintain covenantal loyalty to your servants who obey you with sincerity. 15 You have kept your word to your servant, my father David; this very day you have fulfilled what you promised. 16 Now, O Lord God of Israel, keep the promise you made to your servant, my father David, when you said, ‘You will never fail to have a successor ruling before me on the throne of Israel, provided that your descendants watch their step and obey my law as you have done.’ 17 Now, O Lord God of Israel, may the promise you made to your servant David be realized.
18 “God does not really live with humankind on the earth! Look, if the sky and the highest heaven cannot contain you, how much less this temple I have built! 19 But respond favorably to your servant’s prayer and his request for help, O Lord my God. Answer the desperate prayer your servant is presenting to you. 20 Night and day may you watch over this temple, the place where you promised you would live. May you answer your servant’s prayer for this place. 21 Respond to the requests of your servant and your people Israel for this place. Hear from your heavenly dwelling place and respond favorably and forgive.