2 Chronicles 7

The fire falleth from heaven, consumeth the offerings, and the glory of the LORD filleth Temple, v.1.&c. A description of the ceremonies, wherewith Salomon dedication the Temple, 4. The Feast of Leaf-huts is kept, 8. The LORD appeareth to Salomon, 12. Promiseth him his favour, on condition of obedience, 17. Else threateneth grievous judgements, 19.

1. Now when Salomon had made an end of praying, then the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt-offering, and the slay-offerings, [To shew openly, that God heard Salomons prayer. See the like examples of the fire falling from heaven, Lev.9.24. Judg.6.20. 1 Kings 18:38. 1 Chron.21.26.] and the glory of the LORD [understand this of the cloud, which was a token of the special presence of God. See Numb.14.on vers.10. and above chap 5.vers.13.14.] filled the house.

2. And the Priests could not enter into the house of the LORD; for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.

3. And when all the children of Israel saw that fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house; then they bowed with their faces to the ground on the floor, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, that he is good, that his mercy is for ever. [See above chap.5.on vers.13. and compare the following six verse of this chapter.]

4. Now the KING, and all the people offered slay-offerings before the face of the LORD.

5. And king Salomon offered slay-offerings [Namely, a thank-offering, as is expounded 1 Kings 8:36. of which offering, see Lev.3.on vers.1.] of oxen two and twenty thousand, and of sheep [the Hebrew word signifieth also goats, although it be for the most part used of sheep. See Gen.12.on v.16. and Levit.1.on ver.2.] an hundred and twenty thousand: So the King and all the people dedicated the house of God.

6. The Priests also stood in their guards, [To wit, according to the division of their courses, which they were not able formerly to keep in the dedication of the Temple, above chap.5.11.] and the Levites with the musical instruments of the LORD, [that is, made for the honour of God, to praise and thank him therewith, according to the manner that was ordained by God, and was in use under the Law] which King David had made to praised (him) by their ministry: [Hebr. Hand Oth. By Davids songs of praise in their hand; or, when David praised (him) by them: to wit, the musical instruments] and the Priests sounded with trumpets over against them, and all Israel stood. [to wit, in the great or outer court, called the peoples court, separated from the inner court, wherein the Priests stood.]

7. And Salomon hallowed the middle of the court that was before the house of the LORD: For there he had prepared the burnt-offerings, and the fat of the thank-offerings, for the copper altar, which Salomon had made, was not able to receive the burnt-offering, and the meat-offering, and the fat. [meaning of the thank-offerings. See 1 Kings 8:64. see the exposition of this verse, 1 Kings 8:64. in the annotate.]

8. Also at the same time Salomon kept the feast [To wit, of Leaf-huts, or Tabernacles. See 1 Kings 8.on vers.85.] seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath, to the River of Egypt. [that is, from the north-border to the south-border of the land of Canaan. Compare Gen.15.18. and Jos.13.3,4,5. Of the city Hamath, see Gen.13.on v.21. and of the river of Egypt, called Sichor, Jos.13.3.]

9. And on the eighth day [To wit, of the feast which had lasted seven days] they kept a prohibition-day: [that is, a holy day, on which all daily work was forbidden. See Lev.23.on v.36. This was called the great day of the Feast, John 7:37.] For they kept the dedication of the altar [see the signification of the word dedication, Numb.7.on v.10.] seven days, [which went before the days of the feast] and the Feast seven days.

10. But on the three and twentieth day of the seventh month, [That is, the day after the prohibited-day: For this feast began with the fifteen day of the seventh month, and ended with the two and twentieth day of the same month, Levit.23.34.] he let the people go to their tents, glad and cheerful, [Heb. good of, or, in heart] for the good which the LORD had done unto David, and Salomon, and to his people Israel.

11. Thus Salomon finished the house of the LORD, and the kings house: And all that came into Salomons heart, to make in the house of the LORD, and in his own house, he prosperously effected.

12. And the LORD appeared to Salomon [To wit, immediately after the finishing and dedication of the Temple, and after the prayer which Salomon then had uttered: Whereupon then followed the building of the kings house, See 1 Kings 9.on ver.2.] by night: [to wit, in a dream. Compare 1 Kings 3:5. and 9.2. See of such divine apparitions, Gen.20.3. and 28.12. together with the annotate.] and he said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to my self for an house of offering.

13. If I shut up heaven, that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts, [God is said to command the unreasonable creatures, because he appointeth, produceth, and useth them, either to punish men, as here, and Amos 9:3. or to help them, and do them good, as 1 King.17.4.] to devour the land, [that is, the increase and fruits of the land] or if I send pestilence among my people.

14. And my people, upon whom my name is called, [That is, who derive their name from me, or are called by, or after me: For the godly are called the children of God, the Lords inheritance, his peculiar people. The same phrase is used, Deut.26.10. Amos 9:12.] do humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, [to seek the Lords face, is to learn to know him, as he hath revealed himself in his word, works, and tokens of his mercy, among which in the old Testament there was also the ark of the covenant. See Psa.24.6. and 27.8.] and turn from their wicked ways. Then will I hear from heaven, and forgive their sins, and heal their land. [that is, free it from all hurtful and noxious creatures, from barrenness, from pestilence, etc.]

15. Now mine eyes shall be open, and my ears attentive unto the prayer of this place. [See above chap.6.on v.40.]

16. For now have I chosen, and hallowed this house, that my name may be there forever; and mine eyes and my heart shall be there at all days (or perpetually.) [See the annotate. Serving for the exposition of this, and the sequel, 1 Kings 9:3, etc.]

17. And as for thee, if thou shalt walk before my face, according as David thy Father walked, and do according to all that I have commanded, and shalt observe my statutes and my judgements.

18. Then will I stablish the throne of thy Kingdom, according as I have made (a covenant) with David thy Father, saying; (there) shall not be cut off unto thee a man, to rule in Israel.

19. But if ye shall turn away, and forsake my statutes, and my commandments, which I have given before your face, and shall go serve other gods, and bow your selves down before them.

20. Then will I pluck them up by roots out of my land, which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed to my name, will I cast away from my face, and will make it (to be) a proverb and (a) by-word among all nations.

21. And this house that hath been exalted, every one that passeth by shall be astonished at it; (so) that he shall say, wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and unto this house?

22. And they shall say, because they have forsaken the LORD God of their Fathers, which had brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, and have laid hold on other Gods, and bowed down before them, and served them: Therefore hath he brought all that evil upon them.