2 Chronicles Chapter 7
The Temple Dedicated
A. Dedication by God and man
1. Second Chronicles 7:1–3, the temple is dedicated by God with fire from heaven
“When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. And the priests could not enter the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the Lord’s house. When all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD on the temple, they bowed their faces to the ground on the pavement, and worshiped and praised the LORD, saying:
‘For He is good,
For His mercy endures forever.’”
The narrative opens with God’s unmistakable endorsement of Solomon’s prayer. As soon as the king concludes his intercession, fire descends from heaven and consumes the burnt offering and sacrifices upon the altar. This visible manifestation of divine fire is one of the most significant signs in the Old Testament and is always associated with the Lord’s approval and presence. It recalls the fire that fell upon the sacrifices offered by Moses in Leviticus chapter 9 and by Elijah on Mount Carmel in First Kings chapter 18, marking this as another moment in Israel’s history when God publicly confirms His covenant relationship with His people. The immediate result is that the glory of the LORD fills the temple so completely that even the priests, who were consecrated for sacred service, cannot enter. The overwhelming presence of God renders all human activity momentarily unnecessary, demonstrating that worship begins with His initiative, not man’s.
Trapp notes that the fire God sent at this dedication was said to remain burning until the Babylonian captivity, a testimony to the enduring holiness of the altar and the seriousness of the sacrificial system. The text emphasizes that the people, upon seeing the fiery display of divine acceptance, bow their faces to the ground on the pavement in worship. Their instinctive reaction is not terror alone, although the event certainly revealed the consuming power of God, but profound adoration and praise. They proclaim the ancient refrain, “For He is good, for His mercy endures forever,” a declaration rooted in Psalms 118 and 136 and already voiced in Second Chronicles 5:13 at the bringing of the ark into the temple. The paradox is striking. Fire that consumes the sacrifice could have underscored judgment, yet instead it draws their attention to God’s goodness and enduring mercy. The divine nature shines forth in majesty and compassion simultaneously. The people do not merely fear God’s power, they marvel at His covenant love.
a. Fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices: This act confirms that God Himself is the One who sanctifies the temple. The people had built the structure, but only God could fill it with His presence. The fire certifies that the sacrificial system is accepted, the altar is holy, and the worship established by God through Moses still governs Israel’s relationship to Him.
b. The priests could not enter the house of the LORD: As recorded earlier in Second Chronicles 5:14, the glory of God makes human effort unnecessary and even impossible. This reminds us that God’s presence is never something controlled, manipulated, or managed by priests or kings. It is sovereign, overwhelming, and self-authenticating.
c. They bowed their faces to the ground on the pavement, and worshiped and praised the LORD: The people respond with humility, reverence, and genuine worship. Their posture signifies surrender to the holiness of God and gratitude for His mercy. This moment unites the entire nation in a single act of communal devotion.
d. For He is good, for His mercy endures forever: This refrain highlights the heartbeat of Israel’s theology. God reveals Himself in power, yet His people exult in His goodness and mercy. They recognize that every act of power is tempered with covenant love. The fire does not contradict His mercy, it confirms that He will dwell among His people.
2. Second Chronicles 7:4–5, the temple is dedicated by man with a multitude of sacrifices
“Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the LORD. King Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty-two thousand bulls and one hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.”
The dedication of the temple proceeds from God’s act to the response of His people. Solomon and the entire nation offer sacrifices before the LORD, demonstrating that divine presence never removes the necessity of blood atonement. With all the impressive architecture, music, prayer, and ceremony surrounding the temple, the heart of worship still centers on the shedding of blood as God commanded. The staggering number of sacrifices, twenty-two thousand bulls and one hundred and twenty thousand sheep, reflects a national outpouring of devotion. Although the volume may appear grotesque to modern readers, in Israel it symbolized the magnitude of God’s blessings and the seriousness of approaching Him. Each animal was handled according to the ritual instructions in Leviticus, with portions offered on the altar and portions distributed to the priests and the people for communal meals. These sacrifices would have fed large crowds for an extended period, turning the dedication into a sustained season of worship, fellowship, and national unity. The vast scale illustrates a people overwhelmed by God’s goodness and willing to respond with extravagant worship.
a. The king and all the people offered sacrifices before the LORD: Worship is never spectatorship. Both king and people approach the altar, confessing their need for atonement and signaling their unity under God’s covenant.
b. King Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty-two thousand bulls and one hundred and twenty thousand sheep: The enormity of the offering communicates the king’s gratitude for God’s presence and favor. This monumental sacrifice sets the tone for Israel’s worship, expressing that God is worthy of the highest and fullest devotion a nation can give.
3. Second Chronicles 7:6–10, the days of praise and feasting for the dedication of the temple
“And the priests attended to their services, the Levites also with instruments of the music of the LORD, which King David had made to praise the LORD, saying, ‘For His mercy endures forever,’ whenever David offered praise by their ministry. The priests sounded trumpets opposite them, while all Israel stood. Furthermore Solomon consecrated the middle of the court that was in front of the house of the LORD, for there he offered burnt offerings and the fat of the peace offerings, because the bronze altar which Solomon had made was not able to receive the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, and the fat. At that time Solomon kept the feast seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great assembly from the entrance of Hamath to the Brook of Egypt. And on the eighth day they held a sacred assembly, for they observed the dedication of the altar seven days and the feast seven days. On the twenty third day of the seventh month he sent the people away to their tents, joyful and glad of heart for the good that the LORD had done for David, for Solomon, and for His people Israel.”
The dedication continues with the ordered and reverent worship that characterized the Levitical system. The priests attend to their appointed responsibilities, managing the overwhelming volume of sacrifices. The Levites stand with the instruments that David had originally commissioned, instruments specifically designed for sacred worship and forever tied to the Davidic legacy of musical praise. Their refrain echoes the familiar confession, “For His mercy endures forever,” a theological truth that becomes the soundtrack of Israel’s worship during this high moment. The priests sound their trumpets in response, forming a chorus of praise that encompasses the entire congregation. All Israel stands in solemn participation, acknowledging the majesty of God and the holiness of the moment.
The scale of sacrifice requires Solomon to consecrate the middle of the court in front of the temple, an additional area dedicated temporarily for burnt offerings and peace offerings. The bronze altar, massive though it was, could not contain the offerings brought forward by the nation. This detail highlights both the vastness of the celebration and the overwhelming gratitude of the people. The worship of Israel is not casual. It is abundant, sacrificial, and rooted in covenant obedience. Their devotion fills every available space of the temple complex.
The text notes that Solomon keeps the feast for seven days and that all Israel joins him. The feast referenced here is the Feast of Tabernacles, which normally lasted seven days but is extended in this unique moment to fourteen days, seven days for the dedication and seven days for the feast. The assembly stretches geographically from the entrance of Hamath in the far north to the Brook of Egypt in the far south. This represents the full territorial identity of Israel. Selman observes that the writer intentionally describes Israel’s unity not only by spiritual participation but by geographic breadth, signaling that the entire nation stands together before the Lord during this monumental event.
On the twenty third day of the seventh month, Solomon dismisses the people. They return to their tents joyful and glad of heart, rejoicing in all the goodness that the Lord has shown to David, Solomon, and the nation. This closing note reminds the reader that the dedication of the temple is not merely a moment of celebration but the fulfillment of generations of divine promise. God’s goodness to David is still unfolding through Solomon. His goodness to Solomon is seen in the establishment of the kingdom in peace. And His goodness to Israel is expressed in His willingness to dwell in their midst. The unity, joy, and reverence that mark this event are the fruit of God’s covenant faithfulness.
a. The priests attended to their services, the Levites also with instruments of the music of the LORD: Every person serves according to their divine calling. The priests manage the sacrifices, and the Levites maintain the worship. The sheer number of offerings forces Solomon to consecrate additional space because the bronze altar cannot contain all that God’s people bring. This illustrates the abundance of their gratitude and the fullness of the nation’s worship.
b. At that time Solomon kept the feast seven days, and all Israel with him: The reference to the Feast of Tabernacles anchors the celebration within Israel’s liturgical calendar. The feast recalls Israel’s wilderness journey and God’s provision. Here, it gains added significance because the people now stand not in tents but before a permanent temple that testifies to God’s fulfilled promises. The geographical notation from Hamath to the Brook of Egypt declares a united covenant nation.
c. For the good that the LORD had done for David, for Solomon, and for His people Israel: The story of the temple concludes where it began in the heart of David. Although Solomon built it, David envisioned it. God’s goodness to David initiated the work, His goodness to Solomon completed it, and His goodness to Israel is displayed in His willingness to dwell among them.
4. Second Chronicles 7:11, conclusion, the work successfully accomplished
“Thus Solomon finished the house of the LORD and the king’s house, and Solomon successfully accomplished all that came into his heart to make in the house of the LORD and in his own house.”
The chronicler brings the narrative to a formal close by declaring that Solomon finishes both the temple of the Lord and the palace complex. The parallel completion of these two structures demonstrates that Solomon’s reign has reached a pinnacle of stability and order. First Kings chapter 7 provides additional detail regarding the scale and grandeur of Solomon’s palace. It took almost twice as long to build as the temple, revealing the wealth and architectural ambition present in the early monarchy. Yet the chronicler’s focus remains on the temple as the center of Israel’s national and spiritual identity.
Solomon successfully accomplishes all that comes into his heart. This phrase underscores that the construction of the temple is not merely a political achievement but a spiritual fulfillment. It began with David’s desire and ends with Solomon’s execution. The entire project stands as evidence of God’s faithfulness across generations. Israel now has a central place of worship that symbolizes the permanence of God’s covenant presence among His people.
a. Thus Solomon finished the house of the LORD and the king’s house: These two monumental structures demonstrate the peak of Israel’s political and spiritual life under Solomon. The palace exceeds even the temple in duration of construction, signaling a kingdom at the height of its prosperity.
b. Solomon successfully accomplished all that came into his heart: The work is complete, not because Solomon was ambitious, but because God honored the desire that originated with David. The temple stands as a visible testimony to God’s covenant promises fulfilled through obedient leadership.
B. God Appears to Solomon Again
1. (2 Chronicles 7:12–16) The Assurance of Answered Prayer from the Temple
“And the Lord appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to Myself for an house of sacrifice. If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people; If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Now Mine eyes shall be open, and Mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place. For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that My name may be there for ever: and Mine eyes and Mine heart shall be there perpetually.”
The Lord appeared to Solomon by night, marking the second divine revelation Solomon experienced. His first was at Gibeon (1 Kings 3:5–9), when God granted him wisdom. Now, after years of building the temple and palace, God again manifests Himself, this time confirming Solomon’s dedication and warning him concerning obedience. It was gracious of God to appear to Solomon once, but even more gracious that He would appear a second time, confirming His covenant presence and guidance. This second visitation reveals divine mercy, for God often visits His servants after seasons of success, when prosperity may lead to pride. After a man attains a height of achievement, he is most vulnerable to spiritual decline. The Lord’s renewed appearance guards Solomon’s heart before it drifts.
Charles Spurgeon once said, “Brethren, we want renewed appearances, fresh manifestations, new visitations from on high; and I commend to those of you who are getting on in life, that while you thank God for the past, and look back with joy to His visits to you in your early days, you now seek and ask for a second visitation of the Most High.” This truth applies to every believer: no height attained, no success achieved, and no blessing received guarantees our spiritual standing tomorrow. Continued faithfulness alone maintains divine favor.
The Lord assured Solomon, “I have heard thy prayer.” The long and reverent prayer Solomon offered at the temple dedication in 1 Kings 8 would have been meaningless if God had not heard it. The true test of prayer lies not in its eloquence but in its answer from heaven. Though this appearance likely occurred years after the dedication, God had already shown His approval immediately by sending fire from heaven to consume the sacrifice (2 Chronicles 7:1–7). Time does not hinder divine faithfulness, for God may answer in His season though the prayer is long past.
God then declared, “I have chosen this place to Myself for an house of sacrifice.” The building was Solomon’s work, but its consecration was entirely God’s. Man may construct a sanctuary, but only God can fill it with His glory. The temple was to be both a house of prayer and a house of sacrifice—two expressions of one reality. Prayer was the spiritual sacrifice of the heart, while animal offerings pointed forward to the perfect sacrifice of Christ. Both represented dependence upon divine mercy. Through prayer and blood, Israel approached the Lord. Thus, the temple became a symbol of mediation, foreshadowing the cross where prayer and sacrifice meet perfectly in the Redeemer.
When the Lord said, “If I shut up heaven… or command the locusts… or send pestilence,” He described covenant discipline. Drought, famine, and disease were the judgments outlined in Deuteronomy 28:15–23 when Israel turned from obedience. Yet in mercy He added, “If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways.” This verse forms the foundation of national repentance and restoration. It teaches that humility, prayer, seeking God’s presence, and repentance are inseparable aspects of genuine revival. To humble oneself is to acknowledge dependence and sin before God, recognizing that all help is from Him alone. True prayer springs from humility, for proud men do not pray sincerely. Seeking His face means desiring His favor and presence, not merely His blessings. Turning from wicked ways requires moral and spiritual change, not mere emotion or ceremony.
This promise was originally national, addressed to Israel under the covenant of Moses. Yet the principle remains universal, for the same God rules the nations. Any people who will repent and seek Him may receive mercy. As the prophet Joel later declared, “Rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth Him of the evil” (Joel 2:13). Though the specific promise to “heal their land” related to Israel’s theocratic blessings, God still honors repentance among all who call upon His name.
The Lord added, “Now Mine eyes shall be open, and Mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.” He pledged a special awareness to the prayers offered toward the temple. Yet in the new covenant, believers have something greater, for through Jesus Christ—the true Son of David and the greater Temple—we have direct access to the throne of grace. As Hebrews 4:16 declares, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Christ provides better access than any earthly temple ever could.
Finally, God promised, “For now have I chosen and sanctified this house… and Mine eyes and Mine heart shall be there perpetually.” The expression “Mine heart” is rare in Scripture, used otherwise in Genesis 6:6, where God’s heart was grieved at human wickedness. Here it expresses His deep affection and covenantal attachment to His people’s worship. His eyes signify watchfulness, His ears compassion, and His heart love. The Lord’s presence among His people is not distant but personal and intimate, assuring that the place He chooses is continually before Him.
2. (2 Chronicles 7:17–22) God’s Warning to Solomon
“And as for thee, if thou wilt walk before Me, as David thy father walked, and do according to all that I have commanded thee, and shalt observe My statutes and My judgments; Then will I stablish the throne of thy kingdom, according as I have covenanted with David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man to be ruler in Israel. But if ye turn away, and forsake My statutes and My commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them; Then will I pluck them up by the roots out of My land which I have given them; and this house, which I have sanctified for My name, will I cast out of My sight, and will make it to be a proverb and a byword among all nations. And this house, which is high, shall be an astonishment to every one that passeth by it; so that he shall say, Why hath the Lord done thus unto this land, and unto this house? And it shall be answered, Because they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, which brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, and laid hold on other gods, and worshipped them, and served them: therefore hath He brought all this evil upon them.”
God’s gracious appearance came with a solemn warning. He promised to establish Solomon’s throne if he would walk in obedience as his father David did. David was not sinless, yet he was faithful in heart. God’s standard for Solomon was faithfulness, not perfection. If Solomon continued in the covenant and upheld God’s statutes, his kingdom would endure. But if he or his descendants turned aside to serve other gods, God would uproot them from the land. Thus, the promise carried a conditional element based on covenant fidelity.
God declared, “This house which I have sanctified for My name I will cast out of My sight.” The temple’s beauty and divine glory would not protect it from destruction if the people abandoned the Lord. The structure was not to be idolized. Israel was warned that if they turned the temple into a symbol rather than a place of true worship, God Himself would make it desolate. This came to pass centuries later when Nebuchadnezzar’s armies burned the temple and carried Judah captive to Babylon (2 Kings 25:8–11). The glory departed because the people forsook the God of glory.
God further declared, “I will make it a proverb and a byword among all nations.” Under the covenant, Israel was designed to magnify God’s name whether through blessing or judgment. Obedience would display His goodness; rebellion would reveal His justice. When Israel disobeyed, the nations would be astonished and say, “Why hath the Lord done thus unto this land?” The answer would testify to God’s righteousness: “Because they forsook the Lord God of their fathers.”
Adam Clarke aptly observed, “The manner in which these disobedient people have been destroyed is truly astonishing: no nation was ever so highly favored, and none ever so severely and signally punished.” The temple that once drew nations in wonder would become a lesson of divine wrath. Thus, the same God who blesses in faithfulness also disciplines in rebellion. His justice ensures His holiness is never mocked.
