2 Chronicles 6
BSA1 Then [at that time, previously] Solomon [the king of Israel] declared: “The LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] has said [spoken, commanded] that He would dwell [live, reside, have His presence] in the thick [dense, heavy] cloud [darkness, gloom, or a dark cloud]; word study 2 and I [the king, David] have built You [as the supreme God] an exalted [lofty, elevated] house [a temple, a dwelling place], a place [a habitation, a residence] for You to dwell [to sit, to remain] forever [for all eternity, always].” word study 3 And as the whole [entire, complete] assembly [congregation, gathering] of Israel [God’s chosen people, descendants of Jacob] stood [standing, upright] there, the king [royal ruler, monarch] turned [facing, directing his attention] around and blessed [praised, honored] them all [every single one, the entire group] word study 4 and said: “Blessed [praised, worshiped] be the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God], the God [Elohim, the supreme God] of Israel [the descendants of Jacob], who has fulfilled [completed, made full] with His own hand [power, strength] what He spoke [declared, promised] with His mouth [lips, words] to my father [ancestor, forefather] David, saying [speaking, commanding], word study 5 ‘Since the day [from the very beginning, the time] I brought My people [Israel, My chosen nation] out of the land [earth, territory] of Egypt [a country in northeastern Africa], I have not chosen [selected, appointed] a city [town, settlement] from any tribe [clan, family group] of Israel [My people, descendants of Jacob] in which to build [construct, establish] a house [temple, dwelling place] so that My Name [My identity, reputation] would be there [in that place, present], nor have I chosen [appointed, selected] anyone [person, individual] to be ruler [leader, commander] over My people [nation] Israel [My chosen people]. word study 6 But now I have chosen [selected, set apart] Jerusalem [the city of peace, the capital of Palestine] for My Name [My identity, honor, and character] to be [to exist, to dwell] there [in that place, at that time], and I have chosen [appointed, ordained] David [the youngest son of Jesse, a king of Israel] to be [to exist, to rule] over [upon, in charge of] My people [My nation, My community] Israel [the descendants of Jacob, the symbolic name of Jacob].’ word study 7 Now it was in the heart [the innermost part of a person, including mind, will, and emotions] of my father [a paternal figure, ancestor, or spiritual leader] David [the youngest son of Jesse and a king of Israel] to build [to construct, establish, or repair] a house [a dwelling place, temple, or sanctuary] for the Name [a person’s identity, honor, and character] of the LORD [Yehovah, having divine authority], the God [Elohim, the supreme Being] of Israel [the symbolic name of Jacob, referring to his descendants]. word study 8 But the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] said to my father [ancestor, progenitor] David, ‘Since it was in your heart [mind, will, and emotions] to build [construct, establish] a house [temple, dwelling place] for My Name [My character, reputation, and authority], you have done well [acted pleasingly, been faithful] to have this in your heart [to have had the desire, intention, and commitment]. word study 9 Nevertheless [in spite of this], you [as an individual] are not the one to build [construct, establish] it; but your son [offspring, descendant], your own offspring [child, heir], will build [construct, establish] the house [temple, dwelling place] for My Name [My reputation, My character].’ word study 10 Now the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] has fulfilled [established, performed] the word [promise, declaration] that He spoke [communicated, uttered]. I have succeeded [risen up, taken the place of] my father David [the youngest son of Jesse, a king of Israel], and I sit [dwell, remain] on the throne [seat of power, authority] of Israel [the descendants of Jacob], as the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] promised [spoke, declared]. I have built [constructed, established] the house [dwelling place, temple] for the Name [identity, honor, character] of the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God], the God [Elohim, the supreme Creator] of Israel [the descendants of Jacob]. word study 11 And there [in that place, at that location] I have provided [set, placed, established] a place for the ark [a chest, container], which contains [holds, has inside] the covenant [agreement, promise] of the LORD [Yehovah, the Lord God] that He made [cut, established] with the children [sons, descendants] of Israel [the people of God, Jacob’s descendants].” word study 12 Then Solomon [the king, son of David] stood [in a strong sense, firmly] before [in the presence of, facing] the altar [place of sacrifice, where offerings are made] of the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] in front of [before, in the sight of] the whole [all, everything] assembly [congregation, group of people gathered] of Israel [the descendants of Jacob] and spread out [stretched out, extended] his hands [palms, in a gesture of prayer]. word study 13 Now Solomon [the king of peace] had made a bronze [copper, a base metal] platform [a raised stage, a brasen scaffold] five cubits [a unit of measurement, about the length of a forearm] long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high, and had placed [set, put] it in the middle [midst, center] of the courtyard [the outer court, enclosure]. He stood [stood upright, rose] on it, knelt down [bent his knees, kneeled upon his knees] before the whole assembly [congregation, gathering] of Israel [the descendants of Jacob, God’s chosen people], spread out [stretched forth, extended] his hands [palms] toward heaven [the sky, the spiritual realm], word study 14 and said: “O LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God], God [Elohim, the supreme God] of Israel, there is no God [like the one true God] like You in heaven [the visible universe and the abode of God] or on earth [the land, the material world], keeping [protecting, attending to] Your covenant [promise, agreement] of loving devotion [kindness, mercy, faithful love] with Your servants [those who serve and obey] who walk [live, conduct their lives] before You with all [everything, their entire being] their hearts [innermost thoughts, feelings, and will]. word study 15 You have kept [fulfilled, brought to pass] Your promise [covenant, solemn vow] to Your servant [faithful attendant, obedient follower], my father David [the king]. What You spoke [uttered, proclaimed] with Your mouth [lips, voice] You have fulfilled [accomplished, completed] with Your hand [power, authority] this day [at this present time, now]. word study 16 Therefore now [at this time, in this moment], O LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God], God [Elohim, the supreme Ruler] of Israel, keep [protect, watch over] for Your servant [faithful follower, bondservant], my father David, what You promised [covenanted, vowed] when You said: ‘You will never fail [be cut off, come to an end] to have a man [a descendant, a son] to sit [dwell, remain] before Me on the throne [seat of power, royal authority] of Israel, if only [except, unless] your descendants [sons, children] guard [watch, keep] their way [path, manner of life] to walk [live, conduct themselves] in My law [instruction, Torah] as you have walked [lived, conducted yourself] before Me.’ word study 17 And now [at this time, in this moment], O LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God], God [Elohim, the one supreme God] of Israel [the descendants of Jacob], please confirm [let your word be verified, make your promise come true] what You promised [spoke, communicated] to Your servant [slave, one who serves] David. word study 18 But will God [the supreme Creator, Elohim] indeed dwell [reside, abide, have a fixed home] with man [humanity, mankind, the descendants of Adam] upon [on, above, in the midst of] the earth [the land, the material world, the terrestrial sphere]? Even heaven [the sky, the celestial realm], the highest heaven [the heaven of heavens, the celestial abode of God], cannot contain [hold, sustain, encompass] You, much less [how much more impossible is it for] this temple [house, sanctuary, place of worship] I have built [constructed, established, founded]. word study 19 Yet regard [have respect, turn towards] the prayer [supplication, humble request] and plea [cry for help, urgent appeal] of Your servant [faithful follower, devoted one], O LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God] my God [Elohim, the supreme Ruler], so that You may hear [listen attentively, give heed to] the cry [loud, ringing voice] and the prayer [heartfelt petition, fervent request] that Your servant [faithful one, obedient follower] is praying [pleading, interceding] before You [in Your presence, face to face]. word study 20 May Your eyes [sources of divine insight] be open toward this temple [house of worship, sacred dwelling] day and night, toward the place [location, sanctuary] where You said [promised, declared] You would put [establish, set] Your Name [reputation, character], so that You may hear [listen, heed] the prayer [supplication, request] that Your servant [devoted one, follower] prays [petitions, intercedes] toward this place [sanctuary, holy site]. word study 21 Hear [listen attentively, give heed to] the plea [supplication, earnest prayer] of Your servant [one who serves, devoted follower] and of Your people Israel [the nation, God’s chosen ones] when they pray [make their requests, intercede] toward [in the direction of, facing] this place [this location, sacred site]. May You hear [listen, pay attention] from heaven [the dwelling place of God, the sky], Your dwelling place [where You reside, Your throne]. May You hear [give ear, be attentive] and forgive [pardon, show mercy, cancel the debt]. word study 22 When a man [an individual, a person] sins [misses the mark, goes wrong] against his neighbor [a close associate, a fellow human] and is required [obligated, bound] to take an oath [a promise, a vow], and he comes [approaches, draws near] to take an oath [to swear, to make a solemn declaration] before Your altar [a place of sacrifice] in this temple [the house of God, a sacred place], word study 23 then may You [from heaven’s throne] hear [listen and respond] from heaven and act [execute judgment]. May You judge [vindicate and govern] Your servants, condemning [requiting and punishing] the wicked man [the guilty one] by bringing down [recompensing] on his own head [as a consequence of his actions] what he has done [his wicked way], and justifying [declaring righteous] the righteous man [the one made right with God] by rewarding him according to his righteousness [his moral integrity and virtue]. word study 24 When Your people [nation, descendants] Israel [symbolic name of Jacob] are defeated [overcome, smitten down] before an enemy [adversary, one who opposes] because they have sinned [missed the mark, gone wrong] against You, and they return [turn back, come again] to You and confess [acknowledge, praise] Your name [identity, character], praying [interceding, seeking guidance] and pleading [seeking favor, showing humility] before You in this temple [house, dwelling place], word study 25 then may You [from heaven’s throne] hear from heaven [the visible universe, the abode of God] and forgive [pardon, show mercy] the sin [guilt, rebellion] of Your people [nation, community] Israel [descendants of Jacob]. May You restore [bring back, return] them to the land [earth, ground] You gave [bestowed, granted] to them and their fathers [ancestors, forefathers]. word study 26 When the skies [heavens, the visible universe] are shut [restrained, held back] and there is no [none, absence of] rain [water from the sky] because Your people [nation, community] have sinned [missed the mark, gone wrong] against You, and they pray [intercede, make requests] toward [to, in the direction of] this place [location, sacred site] and confess [acknowledge, admit] Your name [identity, character], and they turn [return, change direction] from their sins [guilt, wrongdoing] because You have afflicted [humbled, disciplined] them, word study 27 then may You [from Your heavenly throne] hear from heaven [the spiritual realm, the abode of God] and forgive [pardon, show mercy] the sin [guilt, rebellion] of Your servants [those who serve You], Your people Israel [the nation chosen by God], so that You may teach [guide, instruct] them the good [pleasant, beneficial] way [path, journey] in which they should walk [live, conduct their lives]. May You send [pour down, bestow] rain [life-giving water] on the land [the earth, the promised inheritance] that You gave [bestowed, entrusted] Your people as an inheritance [a permanent possession, a gift]. word study 28 When [severe, widespread] famine [or hunger, a lack of food] or plague [a disease, pestilence] comes upon the land [the earth, a country], or blight [a destructive plant disease] or mildew [a type of fungal disease] or locusts [insects that devour crops] or grasshoppers [similar to locusts], or when their enemies [adversaries, those who oppose them] besiege them in their cities [surround, attack their towns], whatever plague [a disease, calamity] or sickness [disease, physical ailment] may come, word study 29 then may whatever prayer [prayer or supplication] or petition [request for your grace] Your people [nation or tribe] Israel make—each knowing [aware of, perceiving] his own [personal, individual] afflictions [sorrows, plagues, or diseases] and spreading out [stretching forth, extending] his hands [palms, upper limbs] toward [in the direction of, facing] this temple [house, place of worship]— word study 30 be heard by You [from Your heavenly throne] from heaven, Your dwelling place [the place where You reside, Your established home]. And may You forgive [pardon, show mercy] and repay each man according to all his ways [the path he has chosen, his actions], since You know [are intimately aware of] his heart [the innermost part of his being, his mind and will]—for You alone [solely, exclusively] know the hearts [the inner thoughts and emotions] of men— word study 31 so that they may fear [revere, stand in awe of] You and walk [follow, obey] in Your ways [path, manner of life] all the days [every moment, throughout their lifetime] they live [are alive, have life] in the land [earth, ground] that You gave [provided, bestowed] to our fathers [ancestors, forefathers]. word study 32 And as for the foreigner [stranger, non-Israelite] who is not of Your people Israel [Your chosen nation] but has come from a distant [far away, remote] land because of Your great [mighty, powerful] name and Your mighty [strong, powerful] hand and outstretched [stretched out, extended] arm—when he comes and prays [intercedes, makes petition] toward this temple [house, place of worship], word study 33 then may You [hear and respond] hear from heaven [the spiritual realm, the dwelling place of God], Your dwelling place [the fixed location of Your presence], and do according to all [everything, every request] for which the foreigner [non-Israelite, stranger] calls [cries out, petitions] to You [in prayer, for help]. Then all the peoples [nations, Gentiles] of the earth [the world, all creation] will know [recognize, understand] Your name [Your character, reputation] and fear [revere, worship] You, as do Your people Israel [Your chosen nation, the descendants of Jacob], and they will know [be aware, acknowledge] that this house [temple, place of worship] I have built [constructed, established] is called by [dedicated to, named after] Your Name [Your identity, Your presence]. word study 34 When Your people [nation, those chosen by God] go to war [battle, armed conflict] against their enemies [adversaries, those who oppose], wherever [in any direction, to any place] You send [dispatch, commission] them, and when they pray [intercede, worship] to You in the direction [toward, facing] of the city [urban center, community] You have chosen [selected, ordained] and the house [temple, dwelling place] I have built [constructed, established] for Your Name [reputation, character], word study 35 then may You hear [listen and obey] from heaven [the abode of God, the spiritual realm] their prayer [supplication, request to God] and their plea [humble request for favor], and may You uphold [maintain, support] their cause [justice, righteous judgment]. word study 36 When they sin [miss the mark, go wrong] against You—for there is no one who does not sin [fall short, incur guilt]—and You become angry [displeased, enraged] with them and deliver them to an enemy [adversary, oppressor] who takes them as captives [prisoners of war] to a land [territory, region] far [distant, remote] or near [close, neighboring], word study 37 and when they come to their senses [return to their right mind, bethink themselves] in the land [country, territory] to which they were taken, and they repent [turn again, make supplication] and plead with You in the land [earth, region] of their captors, saying, ‘We have sinned [missed the mark, gone wrong] and done wrong [acted perversely, twisted]; we have acted wickedly [been unjust, dealt wickedly],’ word study 38 and when they return [turn back, repent] to You with all [everything, their entire being] their heart [the seat of emotions, will, and intellect] and soul [the essence of a person, their inner life] in the land [country, territory] of the enemies [those who oppose or are hostile] who took them captive [as prisoners, in bondage], and when they pray [intercede, make their requests] in the direction [toward, facing] of the land [country, territory] that You gave [provided, bestowed] to their fathers [ancestors, forefathers], the city [town, urban center] You have chosen [selected, appointed], and the house [temple, dwelling place] I have built [constructed, established] for Your Name [Your reputation, character], word study 39 then may You hear [from Your heavenly throne] from heaven, Your dwelling place [the established location of Your presence], their prayer [requests to God] and petition [humble supplications], and may You uphold [support and maintain] their cause [justice and righteousness]. May You forgive [pardon and show mercy] Your people [nation and community] who sinned [missed the mark, rebelled] against You. word study 40 Now [at this time, in this moment], my God [Elohim, the supreme God], may Your eyes [sources of insight, understanding] be open [unveiled, receptive] and Your ears [organs of hearing, attention] attentive [carefully listening, heedful] to the prayer [supplication, request] offered [presented, lifted up] in this [specific, designated] place [location, sanctuary]. word study 41 Now therefore, arise, O LORD God [Yehovah, the national name for God], and enter Your resting place [a quiet spot to relax, a place of tranquility], You and the ark [a box or chest, the Ark of the Covenant] of Your might [strength, power]. May Your priests [those who serve God and lead others in worship], O LORD God, be clothed [wrapped in, covered with] with salvation [deliverance, rescue], and may Your godly ones [pious, faithful, holy] rejoice [be glad, celebrate] in goodness [what is beneficial, pleasing]. word study 42 O LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] God [Elohim, the supreme God], do not [in no way] reject [turn away] Your anointed one [Messiah, the king set apart]. Remember [to recall, mark] Your loving devotion [kindness, mercy] to Your servant [slave, one who serves] David [the youngest son of Jesse, a king of Israel].” word study