2 Chronicles 7:5-15

5 King Solomon offered 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep as sacrifices to the LORD. So the king and all the people dedicated God's temple.

6 The priests were standing at their posts. So were the Levites who had the LORD's musical instruments which King David made for praising the LORD with "his mercy endures forever" and which he used to offer praise. The priests were opposite the Levites blowing trumpets while all Israel was standing [there].

7 Solomon designated the courtyard in front of the LORD's temple as a holy place. He sacrificed the burnt offerings, grain offerings, and the fat because the bronze altar that he had made and that was in front of the LORD was not able to hold all of them.

8 At that time Solomon and all Israel celebrated the Festival [of Booths]. A very large crowd had come from [the territory between] the border of Hamath and the River of Egypt.

9 On the eighth day there was an assembly. They had observed the dedication of the altar for seven days and celebrated the festival for [another] seven days.

10 On the twenty-third day of the seventh month, Solomon dismissed the people to their tents. They rejoiced with cheerful hearts for all the blessings the LORD had given David, Solomon, and his people Israel.

11 Solomon finished the LORD's temple and the royal palace and completed everything he had in mind for the LORD's temple and his own palace.

12 Then the LORD appeared to him at night. He said to Solomon, "I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a temple for sacrifices.

13 I may shut the sky so that there is no rain, or command grasshoppers to devour the countryside, or send an epidemic among my people.

14 However, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, pray, search for me, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear [their prayer] from heaven, forgive their sins, and heal their country.

15 My eyes will be open, and my ears will pay attention to those prayers at this place.

2 Chronicles 7:5-15 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.