2 Chronicles 7:2-12

2 1The priests could not enter into the house of the LORD because the glory of the LORD filled the LORD'S house.
3 All the sons of Israel, seeing the fire come down and the glory of the LORD upon the house, bowed down on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave praise to the LORD, saying, "2Truly He is good, truly His lovingkindness is everlasting."

Sacrifices Offered

4 3Then the king and all the people offered sacrifice before the LORD.
5 King Solomon offered a sacrifice of 22,000 * * oxen and 120,000 * * sheep. Thus the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.
6 The priests stood at their posts, and 4the Levites also, with the instruments of music to the LORD, which King David had made for giving praise to the LORD -"for His lovingkindness is everlasting "-whenever he gave praise by their means, while 5the priests on the other side blew trumpets; and all Israel was standing.
7 6Then Solomon consecrated the middle of the court that was before the house of the LORD, for there he offered the burnt offerings and the fat of the peace offerings because the bronze altar which Solomon had made was not able to contain the burnt offering, the grain offering and the fat.

The Feast of Dedication

8 So 7Solomon observed the feast at that time for seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great assembly who came from the entrance of Hamath to the 8brook of Egypt.
9 On the eighth day they held 9a solemn assembly, for the dedication of the altar they observed seven days and the feast seven days.
10 Then on the twenty-third * day of the seventh month he sent the people to their tents, rejoicing and happy of heart because of the goodness that the LORD had shown to David and to Solomon and to His people Israel.

God's Promise and Warning

11 10Thus Solomon finished the house of the LORD and the king's palace, and successfully completed all that he had planned * * on doing in the house of the LORD and in his palace.
12 Then the LORD appeared to Solomon at night and said to him, "I have heard your prayer and 11have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice.

2 Chronicles 7:2-12 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 2 CHRONICLES 7

In this chapter is an account of the Lord's acceptance of the sacrifices offered at the dedication of the temple by fire, to the great surprise and encouragement of the people, 2Ch 7:1-7, and of the feast kept on that account, and the feast of tabernacles, 2Ch 7:8-12, and of the Lord's appearance to Solomon, giving an answer to his prayer, 2Ch 7:13-22.

Cross References 11

  • 1. 2 Chronicles 5:14
  • 2. 2 Chronicles 5:13; 2 Chronicles 20:21
  • 3. 1 Kings 8:62, 63
  • 4. 1 Chronicles 15:16-21
  • 5. 2 Chronicles 5:12
  • 6. 1 Kings 8:64-66
  • 7. 1 Kings 8:65
  • 8. Genesis 15:18
  • 9. Leviticus 23:36
  • 10. 1 Kings 9:1-9
  • 11. Deuteronomy 12:5, 11

Footnotes 3

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