2 Crônicas 6

2 Crônicas 6

2 Chronicles 6:8s SECOND CHRONICLES The Kingdom of Israel From Splendor to Disaster Splendor Disaster King Solomon of Judah 2 Chronicles 1-9 Successive Kings of Judah 2Chr 10-36 Kingdom United Kingdom Divided 2Chr 10:1-19 Rulers of the Southern Kingdom of Judah After the Split The Exile of Judah 2Chr 36:17-23 Inaugural 2Chr 1:1-17 Solomon's Temple 2Chr 2:1-7:22 Solomon's Glory 2Chr 8:1-9:31 Building of the Temple Decline & Destruction of the Temple Temple Destroyed ~40 Years ~393 Years Chart from Jensen's Survey of the OT - used by permission Click Chart from Charles Swindoll TIMELINE OF THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, KINGS & CHRONICLES 1107 1011 971 931 853 722 586 1Samuel 2 Samuel 1Kings 1Kings 2 Kings 31 1-4 5-10 11-20 21-24 1-11 12-22 1-17 18-25 1 Chronicles 10 1Chr 11-19 1Chr 20-29 2 Chronicles 1-9 2 Chronicles 10-20 2 Chronicles 21-36 Legend: B.C. dates at top of timeline are approximate. Note that 931BC marks the division of the Kingdom into Southern Tribes (Judah and Benjamin) and Ten Northern Tribes. To avoid confusion be aware that after the division of the Kingdom in 931BC, the Southern Kingdom is most often designated in Scripture as "Judah" and the Northern Kingdom as "Israel." Finally, note that 1 Chronicles 1-9 is not identified on the timeline because these chapters are records of genealogy. NOTE: THESE COMMENTS ARE OFFERED IN AN "AS IS" FORMAT - IF I HAVE TIME IN THE FUTURE, THEY WILL BE UPDATED. CLICK 2 CHRONICLES COMMENTARIES FOR MULTIPLE SERMONS AND COMMENTARIES 2 Chronicles 6:1 Then Solomon said, “The LORD has said that He would dwell in the thick cloud. The Lord (KJV): Ex 20:21 24:15-18 Lev 16:2 De 4:11 1Ki 8:12-21 Ps 18:8-11 97:2 Na 1:3 Heb 12:18 See BELOW FOR BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR 1-2 CHRONICLES - adapted from Paul Apple's Bible Outlines Related Passage: 1 Kings 8:12-21 (commentary) (A CLEAR PARALLEL PASSAGE) Then Solomon said, “The LORD has said that He would dwell in the thick cloud. 13 “I have surely built You a lofty house, A place for Your dwelling forever.” 14 Then the king faced about and blessed all the assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel was standing. 15 He said, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who spoke with His mouth to my father David and has fulfilled it with His hand, saying, 16 ‘Since the day that I brought My people Israel from Egypt, I did not choose a city out of all the tribes of Israel in which to build a house that My name might be there, but I chose David to be over My people Israel.’ 17 “Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel. 18 “But the LORD said to my father David, ‘Because it was in your heart to build a house for My name, you did well that it was in your heart. 19 ‘Nevertheless you shall not build the house, but your son who will be born to you, he will build the house for My name.’ 20 “Now the LORD has fulfilled His word which He spoke; for I have risen in place of my father David and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built the house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel. 21 “There I have set a place for the ark, in which is the covenant of the LORD, which He made with our fathers when He brought them from the land of Egypt.” Then Solomon said, “The LORD has said that He would dwell (shakan) in the thick cloud - - See comments on 1Ki 8:12. The thick cloud is the Shekinah glory cloud. See Ex 19:9; 24:15,18; 33:9-10; 34:5; Lev 16:2; Dt 4:11; 5:22; Ps 18:10-11. In 2Chr 6:1-11 Solomon reviews God's faithfulness which will be followed by his prayer of dedication. Lxx for dwell is kataskenoo (from kata = down, intensifies meaning of + skenoo = to pitch one's tent, to dwell) literally means “to pitch one’s tent” and hence to settle permanently. This is the same verb in Ps 23:2 "He makes me lie down" = kataskenoo". THOUGHT- Is this not a good pattern to emulate -- begin our prayers to Him with praise and thanksgiving for what He has done, Who He is, etc, and then follow with our dedication to Him? KJV has thick darkness - Believer's Study Bible says "In no sense does Solomon's statement here contradict the general biblical thesis that God is light (1 John 1:5). The word translated "dark cloud" (`araphel, Heb.) refers to the shekinah (Heb.) cloud (see Shekinah glory cloud), the cloud of the glory of God, which is mentioned in the previous verse and connotes the awesomeness and mystery of God (cf. Ex. 20:21; Deut. 4:11)." Andrew Konkel: The ceremony concludes with a confessional statement made by Solomon, which follows very closely its source in Kings. The words of Solomon in Kings reiterate the main themes of the Chronicler concerning the covenant with Israel and the election of David as king. This central theme from Scripture is the basis of the Chronicler’s history. The temple, which David had intended to build, is now the place where the name of God dwells. Name indicates possession; in the Amarna letters it is an idiom for ownership [Amarna Tablets, p. 464]. Just as the Pharaoh owned Jerusalem by placing his name there, so the Lord now owns the temple and all that it represents. The repeated reference to name in this promise is to establish a memorial to perpetuate a reputation. It was customary for kings to establish the legitimacy of their rule by building or refurbishing a temple as an affirmation of the god that enabled their rule. David was denied this assurance, but in its place he received a divine promise now fulfilled. Solomon utilized the name to make the temple the ultimate symbol of the faith of the Israelites: it fulfills the promise, is the place of covenant preservation, and embodies the land promised to Israel and owned by God. The temple signifies the election of David and the choice of Jerusalem as the central place of worship. (See 1 & 2 Chronicles) J.A. Thompson: A cloud symbolizing God's presence filled the house (cf. Exod 40:34– 35; Ezek 43:4). This marked the acceptance by God of the temple as the place of sacrifice. The priests were not able to take their place to perform their service because the glory of the Lord filled the temple. The cloud as a symbol of the presence of Yahweh is mentioned several times in the Old Testament (Exod 13; Num 9; Ezek 10:3–4). The Chronicler's expanded account places the Lord's filling the temple in the context of a great celebration of praise and affirmation of faith as if to encourage future generations of Israel to continue praising and worshiping God until his glory returns....These two verses are Solomon's response to the appearance of the divine glory in the shape of a dark cloud. The cloud formerly had appeared at Sinai (Exod 20:21; Deut 4:11; 5:22). There God revealed his presence. The darkness of the most holy place was a dwelling suited to a thick darkness (Exod 20:21). The picture is thus linked with the cloud of 2Ch 5:13–14 and also with the thick darkness of Sinai. Once again the Chronicler points out a continuity between past revelation and the temple. This small structure in Jerusalem, moreover, was the place where divine transcendence and divine immanence would meet. On the one hand, no building, not even the whole earth, could contain God. He dwells in thick darkness, and indeed he fills all. On the other hand, in some special way God would be here, in this temple, more than in any other place. Perhaps this helps us understand the mystery of the incarnation of God in Christ—while God fills the whole universe, he also is specially present in the person of Christ. This is why Jesus referred to his body as a “temple” (John 2:20–21). (See 1, 2 Chronicles: An Exegetical and Theological Exposition) Martin Selman: This brief statement, which is part testimony and part prayer, evokes a sense of wonder that the same God whose glory fills the temple (2Ch 5:13-14) also dwells in “thick darkness” (v. 1, NRSV, RSV, REB, NEB). This latter phrase is associated with the cloud of God’s mysterious presence at Mount Sinai (Exod. 20:21; Deut. 5:22) and with his appearing on the Day of the Lord (Joel 2:2; Zeph. 1:15). Solomon is amazed that this intangible, sovereign deity whose mystery is symbolized by the darkness of the windowless Holy of Holies now promises to dwell in this temple (2Ch 6:2). The theme of God’s dual residence cascades through the chapter, without ever being logically resolved. It is enough to know that God lives on earth as well as in heaven. Even though the temple is “exalted” (NRSV, RSV, KB; cf. REB, NEB), it cannot physically contain God any more than he can be confined by human philosophy. And yet anyone can approach him in prayer (2Ch 6:18-40). (See 2 Chronicles: An Introduction and Commentary - Page 339) Dwell (establish, live, remain, settle)(07931) shakan to settle down = from which is derived rabbinic word shekinah or shechinah lit, “that which dwells” ~"residence" the light on the mercy-seat which symbolized the Divine presence (Ex 25:8). In order to avoid appearing to localize the Divine Being, wherever God is said to “dwell” in a place, the Targum renders that He “causes His Shekinah to dwell” there. God is the subject of shakan 43 times - . He may dwell on Mount Zion (Psalm 74:2). He dwells among his people (Exodus 25:8). He will dwell in Jerusalem (Zech. 8:3). Baker - First, it simply means to settle down (Ex. 24:16; Num. 24:2; Ps. 102:28[29]). Second, it can mean to lie down or rest. When used this way, it can refer to objects (Num. 9:17; Job 3:5); animals (Isa. 13:21); and people (Jer. 23:6; 33:16). When people are the object of the verb, it means that they are resting in peace and security. Third, it may mean to dwell or abide. Again, this can have several referents such as people (Ps. 37:27; Pr 2:21); the dead (Job 26:5); God (1 Ki. 8:12; Isa. 8:18); or objects such as the Tabernacle (Josh. 22:19). In the intensive form, it means to establish. The word is used in this way in Deuteronomy 12:11 and Psalm 78:60 to describe how God set up a dwelling place for His name, establishing Himself in Israel. Finally, the causative form means to lay, to place, to set (Gen. 3:24; Josh. 18:1); or to cause to dwell (Job 11:14; Ps. 78:55). (Complete Word Study Dictionary – Old Testament) RON DANIEL - 2Chr 6:1-11 Solomon's Dedication Speech King Solomon blessed the people, telling them that God's Word was being fulfilled on that day. Remember in our studies of Deuteronomy, we repeatedly read the law regarding... Deut. 14:23 "...the place where He chooses to establish His name..." On this day of dedication, the Lord was saying, 2Chr. 6:6 ...I have chosen Jerusalem that My name might be there... MATTHEW HENRY: Chapter: 6 The glory of the Lord, in the vehicle of a thick cloud, having filled the house which Solomon built, by which God manifested his presence there, he immediately improves the opportunity, and addresses God, as a God now, in a peculiar manner, nigh at hand. I. He makes a solemn declaration of his intention in building this house, to the satisfaction of the people and the honour of God, both of whom he blessed (2Chr 6:1-11). II. He makes a solemn prayer to God that he would please graciously to accept and answer all the prayers that should be made in, or towards, that house (2Chr 6:12-42). This whole chapter we had before, with very little variation (1 Ki. 8:12-53), to which it may not be amiss here to look back. 2Chr 6:1-11 It is of great consequence, in all our religious actions, that we design well, and that our eye be single. If Solomon had built this temple in the pride of his heart, as Ahasuerus made his feast, only to show the riches of his kingdom and the honour of his majesty, it would not have turned at all to his account. But here he declares upon what inducements he undertook it, and they are such as not only justify, but magnify, the undertaking. 1. He did it for the glory and honour of God; this was his highest and ultimate end in it. It was for the name of the Lord God of Israel (2Chr 6:10), to be a house of habitation for him, 2Chr 6:2. He has indeed, as to us, made darkness his pavilion (2Chr 6:1), but let this house be the residence of that darkness; for it is in the upper world that he dwells in light, such as no eye can approach. 2. He did it in compliance with the choice God had been pleased to make of Jerusalem, to be the city in which he would record his name (2Chr 6:6): I have chosen Jerusalem. A great many stately buildings there were in Jerusalem for the king, his princes, and the royal family. If God chooses that place, it is fit that there be a building for him which may excel all the rest. If men were thus honoured there, let God be thus honoured. 3. He did it in pursuance of his father's good intentions, which he never had an opportunity to put into execution: "It was in the heart of David my father to build a house for God;'' the project was his, be it known, to his honour (v. 7), and God approved of it, though he permitted him not to put it in execution (2Chr 6:8), Thou didst well that it was in thy heart. Temple-work is often thus done; one sows and another reaps (Jn. 4:37, 38), one age begins that which the next brings to perfection. And let not the wisest of men think it any disparagement to them to pursue the good designs which those that went before them have laid, and to build upon their foundation. Every good piece is not an original. 4. He did it in performance of the word which God had spoken. God had said, Thy son shall build the house for my name; and now he had done it, 2Chr 6:9, 10. The service was appointed him, and the honour of it designed him, by the divine promise; so that he did not do it of his own head, but was called of God to do it. It is fit that he who appoints the work should have the appointing of the workmen; and those may go on in their work with great satisfaction who see their call to it clear. 2 Chronicles 6:2 “I have built You a lofty house, And a place for Your dwelling forever.” I have built: 2Ch 2:4-6 2Sa 7:13 1Ki 8:13 1Ch 17:12 22:10,11 28:6,20 Ps 132:5 Ps 132:13,14 Joh 4:21-23 Heb 9:11,12 Rev 21:3 Related Passages: 2 Chronicles 2:4-6+ “Behold, I am about to build a house for the name of the LORD my God, dedicating it to Him, to burn fragrant incense before Him and to set out the showbread continually, and to offer burnt offerings morning and evening, on sabbaths and on new moons and on the appointed feasts of the LORD our God, this being required forever in Israel. 5 “The house which I am about to build will be great, for greater is our God than all the gods. 6 “But who is able to build a house for Him, for the heavens and the highest heavens cannot contain Him? So who am I, that I should build a house for Him, except to burn incense before Him? 2 Samuel 7:13+ (JEHOVAH'S PROPHETIC PROMISE TO DAVID) “He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I have built You a lofty house, and a place for Your dwelling forever - See comments on 1Ki 8:13. 2 Chronicles 6:2, 14 DEDICATING THE TEMPLE "I have built You an exalted house, and a place for You to dwell in forever. . . . There is no God in heaven or on earth like You" (2 Chronicles 6:2, 14). Writing of our response to God, Thomas Carlyle, the nineteenth-century essayist, concluded, "The man who does not habitually worship is but a pair of spectacles behind which there is no eye." Solomon, like Carlyle, recognized people's need to worship. With the help of more than 150,000 workers, he built the most magnifi­cent praise house ever. Opulent in its use of gold, silver, bronze, and fine cloth, the temple dazzled the ancient world. On dedication day hundreds of singers and musicians, including 120 trumpeters, praised the Lord. They sang of His goodness and enduring love. The glory of God filled the temple, but the earthly structure could not contain Him. God cannot be put in a box; He is not a genie. Worshipful people declare who God is and what He has done, but they never try to bring Him down to human level or limit Him to a single place. 2 Chronicles 6:1-11 Promises You Can Bank On For all the promises of God in [Christ] are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. —2 Corinthians 1:20 After a global financial crisis, the US government enacted stricter laws to protect people from questionable banking practices. Banks had to change some of their policies to comply. To notify me of such changes, my bank sent me a letter. But when I got to the end I had more questions than answers. The use of phrases like “we may” and “at our discretion” certainly didn’t sound like anything I could depend on! In contrast, the Old Testament quotes God as saying “I will” numerous times. God promises David: “I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever” (2 Sam. 7:12-13). No uncertainty in those words. Recognizing God’s faithfulness to His promises, King Solomon says in his prayer of dedication for the temple: “You have kept what You promised Your servant David my father; You have both spoken with Your mouth and fulfilled it with Your hand” (2 Chron. 6:15). Centuries later, the apostle Paul said that all of God’s promises are “yes” in Christ (2 Cor. 1:20). Whatever trouble may assail, Of this we can be sure: God’s promises can never fail, They always will endure. —Hess Faith knows that God always performs what He promises. 2 Chronicles 6:3 Then the king faced about and blessed all the assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel was standing. turned his face (KJV): 1Ki 8:14 blessed (KJV): 2Ch 29:29 Nu 6:23-27 Jos 22:6 1Ki 8:55-61 1Ch 16:2 Lu 24:50,51 all the congregation (KJV): 1Ki 8:14 Ne 8:5-7 Mt 13:2 King Solomon dedicates the Temple at Jerusalem. Painting by James Tissot or follower, c. 1896–1902 Then the king faced about and blessed all the assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel was standing. - See comments on 1Ki 8:14. 2 Chronicles 6:4 He said, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who spoke with His mouth to my father David and has fulfilled it with His hands, saying, Blessed: 1Ki 8:15 1Ch 29:10,20 Ps 41:13 68:4,32-35 72:18,19 Lu 1:68,69 Eph 1:3 who hath with: 1Ch 17:12 Ps 138:1,2 Mt 24:35 Lu 1:70 Related Passages: 1 Kings 8:15 He said, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who spoke with His mouth to my father David and has fulfilled it with His hand, saying, Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who spoke with His mouth to my father David and has fulfilled it with His hands, saying, - See comments on 1Ki 8:15. Frederick Mabie: Solomon’s temple-dedication prayer begins with expressions of praise and thanksgiving that focus on God’s faithfulness to fulfill his promise to David (compare 2Ch 6:4–10 with 1Ch 17). Solomon’s declaration of God’s covenantal faithfulness within a context of prayer and thanksgiving would be a significant reminder to the Chronicler’s postexilic audience. J.A. Thompson -- in Solomon's address to the assembly he was stressing the fulfillment of God's promise to David more than the exodus. The building of the temple and the establishment of the Davidic dynasty as a consequence of the divine promise was the important focus for the Chronicler (cf. 1 Chr 17). 2 Chronicles 6:5 ‘Since the day that I brought My people from the land of Egypt, I did not choose a city out of all the tribes of Israel in which to build a house that My name might be there, nor did I choose any man for a leader over My people Israel; Since the day (KJV): 2Sa 7:6,7 1Ki 8:16 my name (KJV): Ex 20:24 23:21 De 12:5,11 Da 9:19 neither chose (KJV): The judges and Saul were chosen by God, for a season, to be rulers of Israel; but not to establish a permanent and hereditary authority over that people, as was the case with David. This clause is wanting in the parallel passage of Kings; but it helps to clear the sense. 1Sa 10:24 13:13,14 15:23 2Sa 7:15,16 NET NOTE - “to build a house for my name to be there.” Here “name” is used by metonymy for the LORD himself, and thus the expression “to be there” refers to his taking up residence there (hence the translation, “a temple in which to live”). In this case the temple is referred to as a “house” where the LORD himself can reside. Since the day that I brought My people from the land of Egypt, I did not choose a city out of all the tribes of Israel in which to build a house that My name might be there, nor did I choose any man for a leader over My people Israel - See comments on 1Ki 8:16. 2 Chronicles 6:6 but I have chosen Jerusalem that My name might be there, and I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’ But I have chosen Jerusalem: This clause is also not found in Kings. Jerusalem was expressly marked out, by the building of the temple, to be the centre of the worship of Israel; as Jehovah had before spoken by Moses: see the parallel passages. 2Ch 12:13 Ps 48:1 78:68-70 132:13 Isa 14:32 chosen David: 1Sa 16:1 1Ch 28:4 Ps 89:19-20 Related Passages: 2 Samuel 7:12-16+ “When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom. 13“He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 “I will be a father to him and he will be a son to Me; when he commits iniquity, I will correct him with the rod of men and the strokes of the sons of men, 15 but My lovingkindness shall not depart from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 “Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever.”’” but I have chosen Jerusalem that My name might be there, and I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’ - See comments on 1Ki 8:16. Andrew Hill: After Solomon has turned from the dazzling spectacle of the cloud of Yahweh’s glory filling the temple (2Ch 5:14), he addresses the “whole assembly of Israel” (2Ch 6:3). Like his father, David, Solomon assumes a priestly or pastoral role when addressing the nation of Israel (cf. 1 Chron. 16:43). The Chronicler, however, portrays Solomon as one who represents the interests of the people more than the office of the Levitical priesthood. He blessed the populace as one of them. The king’s blessing underscores God’s selection of David as Israel’s ruler and the city of Jerusalem as the site for the temple (2Ch 6:6). The succession of Solomon to David’s throne and the completion of the temple inaugurate the Davidic covenant announced previously by the prophet Nathan (cf. 1 Chron. 17:3). The people are blessed by these developments because through the Davidic covenant God has made provision for righteous leadership over the people and established a national “house of prayer” for Israel. Through prayer (whether praise, confession, petition, or intercession) Israel will maintain her covenant relationship with Yahweh. . . The second half of Solomon’s address to the people of Israel is basically a prayer of thanksgiving, acknowledging God as a “promise-keeper” (2Ch 6:7–11). The king specifically cites his succession to David’s throne (2Ch 6:10a), the completion of the temple (2Ch 6:10b), and the installation of the ark of the covenant (2Ch 6:11) as proof positive that Yahweh is faithful to his word. The ark of the covenant is the symbol of God’s presence among his people and a tangible witness of his special relationship with Israel. The installation of the ark in the Jerusalem temple signifies that these theological truths now undergird the Davidic covenant as well. Raymond Dillard: The accession of Solomon and the completion of the temple were for the Chronicler stages in the inauguration of the Davidic covenant. Instead of exhausting God’s promises so that the Chronicler would show no eschatological expectations or royalist hopes in the post-exilic period, these realizations of God’s promises were but the beginning of an unending dynasty (2Ch 6:14–17; 13:5; 21:7; 23:3; 1 Chr 17:12–17, 23–27; 22:10; 28:7–8). 2 Chronicles 6:7 “Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel. 2Sa 7:2-3 1Ki 5:3 8:17 1Ch 17:1 22:7 28:2-4 Related Passages: 2 Samuel 7:2-3 that the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells within tent curtains.” 3 Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your mind, for the LORD is with you. Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel. - See comments on 1Ki 8:17. THOUGHT - Could we apply this verse? Well, now our body is His temple. Can we not "build it up" in the process of progressive sanctification? We can be growing in holiness and Christ-likeness as we "clean out His temple" of the "sins which so easily entangle us," laying aside the old and putting on the new, preparing our temple for that glorious day when we will see Him face to face. "Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies (hagnizo in the present tense = continually, active voice = daily choice! One enabled by the Spirit - Php 2:13NLT+!) himself, just as He is pure." (1Jn 3:2-3+) 2 Chronicles 6:8 “But the LORD said to my father David, ‘Because it was in your heart to build a house for My name, you did well that it was in your heart. did well: 1Ki 8:18-21 Mk 14:8 2Co 8:12 Related Passages: 1 Kings 8:18-21 “But the LORD said to my father David, ‘Because it was in your heart to build a house for My name, you did well that it was in your heart. 19 ‘Nevertheless you shall not build the house, but your son who will be born to you, he will build the house for My name.’ 20 “Now the LORD has fulfilled His word which He spoke; for I have risen in place of my father David and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built the house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel. 21 “There I have set a place for the ark, in which is the covenant of the LORD, which He made with our fathers when He brought them from the land of Egypt.” But the LORD said to my father David, ‘Because it was in your heart to build a house for My name, you did well that it was in your heart. - See comments on 1Ki 8:18. H A Ironside —2 Chr 6:8, 9. David’s desire to build a house for the Lord was recognized by God as good, and Nathan the prophet agreed at once that it would be an excellent thing to do. But both he and David had to learn that God’s thoughts are ofttimes different from those of the best and most well-intentioned men. David was not to build the house. That was to be the work of his son Solomon. This, however, did not cool his zeal or cause him to be less interested in the project. He manifested a truly subject spirit, and in his prayer, as he sat before the Lord (2 Sam. 7:18–29), he gave vent to his deep appreciation of the grace God had shown toward him. “When the Master of all the workmen sent me into the field, I went forth elate and happy, the tools of His service to wield, Expectant of high position, as suited my lofty taste, When lo! He set me to weeding and watering down in the waste. Such pottering down in the hedges! A task so thankless and small! Yet I stifled my vain ambition, and worked for the Lord of all, Till, meeker grown, as nightly I sank to my hard-won rest, I cared but to hear in my dreaming, ‘This one has done his best.” The years have leveled distinctions. There is no more great or small; It is only faithful service that counts with the Lord of all. And I know that tilled with patience, the veriest waste of clod Shall bring forth the perfect harvest, planned in the heart of God.” John Henry Jowett - JUDGED BY OUR ASPIRATIONS “Thou didst well, it was in thine heart.” — 2Chr 6:1-15. AND this was a purpose which the man was not permitted to realize. It was a temple built in the substance of dreams, but never established in wood and stone. And God took the shadowy structure and esteemed it as a perfected pile. The sacred intention was regarded as a finished work. The will to build a temple was regarded as a temple built. And hence I discern the preciousness of all hallowed purpose and desire, even though it never receive actual accomplishment. “Thou didst well, it was in thine heart.” And so the will to be, and the will to do, is acceptable sacrifice unto the Lord! “I wish I could be a missionary to the foreign field,” but the duties of home forbid. But as a missionary she is accepted of our God, even though she never land on distant shore. Our purposes work, as well as the work itself. Desire is full of holy energy as well as fruition. The wish to do good is good itself; the very longing is a minister in the kingdom of our God. If, therefore, we are to be judged by our aspirations, there are multitudes of apparent failures who will one day be revealed as clothed in the radiance of spiritual victory. 2 Chronicles 6:9 ‘Nevertheless you shall not build the house, but your son who will be born to you, he shall build the house for My name.’ thy son (KJV): 2Sa 7:12,13 1Ch 17:4,11,12 Nevertheless you shall not build the house, but your son who will be born to you, he shall build the house for My name.’ - See comments on 1Ki 8:19. QUESTION - Why didn’t God allow David to build the temple? SEE VIDEO ANSWER - In 1 Chronicles 17:1, David’s thoughts turn to building a temple for the Lord. The king sent for the prophet Nathan and said, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under a tent.” The discrepancy bothered David. Why should the king’s house be a palace, while the house of God was just a tent? At first, Nathan encouraged David to follow through on his desire to build a temple for the Lord (1 Chronicles 17:2). Yet that night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, changing their plans: “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: You are not the one to build me a house to dwell in’” (verse 4). God then points out that, in all the long history of the tabernacle, He never once rebuked Israel’s leaders for not building a permanent temple (verses 5–6). Rather than David building a temple, God decided to allow David’s son to oversee this work (verses 11–12). In response, David offered a prayer of praise: “You, Lord, are God! You have promised these good things to your servant. Now you have been pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, Lord, have blessed it, and it will be blessed forever” (1 Chronicles 17:26–27). David considered God’s word as a tremendous blessing that affirmed his son would also serve as king. 1 Chronicles 22:8 sheds some light on God’s decision not to allow David to build the temple: “You have shed much blood and have fought many wars. You are not to build a house for my Name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in my sight.” David’s background of shedding blood in times of war was God’s reason for choosing David’s son instead (see also 1 Chronicles 28:3). God wanted a man of peace to construct the temple, not a man of war. His house was to be “a house of prayer for all nations” (Isaiah 56:7). Since David was forbidden from building the temple himself, he helped to gather materials and prepare the plans for the temple’s construction. He said to Solomon, “I have taken great pains to provide for the temple of the Lord a hundred thousand talents of gold, a million talents of silver, quantities of bronze and iron too great to be weighed, and wood and stone. And you may add to them. You have many workers: stonecutters, masons and carpenters, as well as those skilled in every kind of work in gold and silver, bronze and iron—craftsmen beyond number. Now begin the work, and the Lord be with you” (1 Chronicles 22:14–16). Solomon faithfully fulfilled this command during his reign, leading Israel to the height of world power. David’s desire to build a house for the Lord was noble, but God had other plans. David’s reaction to God’s nixing his plan is a model for us. When things do not go as we planned—when God closes a door—we should continue to praise the Lord and then move on in a new direction. Rather than complain about what we can’t do, we should do what we can, giving God the glory. GotQuestions.org 2 Chronicles 6:10 “Now the LORD has fulfilled His word which He spoke; for I have risen in the place of my father David and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built the house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel. performed his word (KJV): 2Ch 6:4 I am risen (KJV): 2Ch 1:1 1Ki 2:12 3:6,7 1Ch 29:15,23 Ec 1:4 2:18,19 as the Lord (KJV): 1Ch 17:11 28:5 Now the LORD has fulfilled His word which He spoke; for I have risen in the place of my father David and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built the house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel. - See comments on 1Ki 8:20. 2 Chronicles 6:11 “There I have set the ark in which is the covenant of the LORD, which He made with the sons of Israel.” I put the ark (KJV): 2Ch 5:7,10 Ex 40:20 1Ki 8:9,21 Heb 9:4 the covenant (KJV): As "there was nothing in the ark but the two tables of stone," consequently they are called the covenant, i.e., a sign of the covenant. There I have set the ark in which is the covenant of the LORD, which He made with the sons of Israel.” - See comments on 1Ki 8:21. Martin Selman: Four emphases stand out in the speech. - Firstly, the focus on God’s choice in 2Ch 6:5-6 is emphatic and unusual (it is paralleled in Chro. Only in 1 Ch. 28:4-6). Here God’s original choice of David and Jerusalem is in mind, rather than of Solomon as in 1 Chronicles 28. This specific link of chosen king and chosen city is rare in the Old Testament, being found mainly in the Psalms (e.g. Pss 2:6-7; 78:67-72). The second emphasis is the rather surprising commendation for David’s heartfelt desire to build the temple, in contrast to his previous disqualification because of his wars (2Ch 6:8; cf. 1 Chr. 22:8-9; 28:3). In fact, this is a complementary rather than contradictory statement. It confirms that David’s disqualification was not due to sin, but because the concept of God’s rest must be regarded as the unique and final stage in building the temple (cf. v. 41). David’s motives actually set a pattern for others to follow, for a right attitude of heart is essential for any worship (2Ch 6:14, 30; cf. 1 Chr. 29:17-19; Mark 7:6). Thirdly, the temple was especially associated with God’s Name (2Ch 6:5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10). This typically Deuteronomic idea fits in well with the chapter’s overall sense of God’s presence in earth and heaven, though here it extends to the idea of God’s choice. Finally, there are more frequent reminders than usual in Chronicles that the Sinai covenant underlies all that God is doing. 2 Chronicles 6:12 Then he stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands. he stood (KJV): 1Ki 8:22-53 2Ki 11:14 23:3 Ps 29:1,2 spread forth (KJV): Ex 9:33 Job 11:13 Ps 28:2 63:4 68:31 141:2 143:6 Isa 50:10 1Ti 2:8 Then he stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands - See comments on 1Ki 8:22. RON DANIEL - 6:12-42) Solomon's Dedication Prayer Solomon had made a platform in the court so that people could hear prayers and proclamations. In these 31 verses, Solomon stands on that platform and prays to the Lord that this temple would be the place where God accepted sacrifices, where the Jews could gather in humility to seek Him, where even foreigners who wanted to know God could come. That was Solomon's heart for that temple, even as it is my heart for this place. August Konkel: Solomon takes his place before the great altar to petition that the temple may serve the purpose for which it was built, to keep God’s covenant central in the lives of the people. Thomas