2 Chronicles 7
DOYLYturn &c.] Solomon is here instructed, that the only way, by which God can be reconciled to a sinful people, is, by their prosecuting their fasting and humiliation to the actual reformation and amendment of their lives; that it is ever the proper fruit of repentance, to forsake our sins and become better for the future, more pious and devout towards God, more sober and chaste with regard to ourselves, more just and charitable, meek and humble towards all men. Without this, humiliation Before CHRIST 1004. shall not be cut off to thee. k Lev. 26. 14. Deut. 28. 13. Jer. 22. 8. 9.
2 Chronicles 7:13
- If I shut up heaven &c.] God here again declares
to Solomon, that His dispensations of mercies or judgments would always be in proportion to the virtuous or
disobedient behaviour of the people; that their conscientious regard to the laws of their religion would
never fail to draw down upon them continued blessings; and their true repentance and reformation of life, to stop the miseries that at any time befell them: but that, whenever they degenerated into obstinate idolatry and irreligion, neither promises made to David, nor the name of Israel, nor the splendour of the temple, would screen them from the Divine vengeance; they should become wretched even to a proverb, ver. 21, and be walked, and do according to all that I have commanded thee, and shalt observe my statutes and my judgments;