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2 Chronicles 1-7
God Dwells
with His People
Psalm 60:1-12 God Always Triumphs
1.“God, you have rejected us. You have broken us down. You have been angry. Restore us, again.2.You have made the land tremble. You have torn it. Mend its fractures, for it quakes.3.You have shown Your people hard things. You have made us drink the wine that makes us stagger.4.But for those who fear You, You have raised a banner to be unfurled against the bow. (NIV) Selah.5.So that Your beloved may be delivered, save with Your right hand, and answer us.6.God has spoken from His sanctuary: "I will triumph. I will divide Shechem, and measure out the valley of Succoth.7.Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine. Ephraim also is the defense of My head. Judah is My sceptre.8.Moab is My wash basin. I will throw My shoe on Edom. I shout in triumph over Philistia."9.Who will bring me into the strong city? Who has led me to Edom?10.Is it not You, God, You who have now rejected us and no longer go out with our armies?(NIV)11.Give us help against the adversary, for the help of man is vain.12.Through God we shall do valiantly, for it is He who will tread down our adversaries."Observations
60:1-3.David laments the difficult times that God had His people experience, but ultimately expresses confidence in God's help and eventual victory, because of God's word (60:6)
60:4.
The Hebrew of this verse is difficult because the word for truth/bow is uncertain and only used here. Since God protects those who fear Him, giving them a banner of protection against their enemies fits the context.
60:10.
The only source of victory is the God who has apparently forsaken them, so David continues to trust in Him.
60:12.
Confidence in the God who had disciplined them pays off as God does cause them to triumph (Context 2 Samuel 8).
Application
In times of discipline, don't despair, continue to fear and trust God and hope in what He has revealed.
Prayer
God, You are my leader. Your help means victory; may I always trust You to protect me. Amen.
Proverbs 16:5-7 Depart From Evil if You Fear God
5.“Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to Yahweh; Though they join forces, none will go unpunished.6.By hesed/loyal love and faithfulness iniquity is purged/covered; And by the fear of Yahweh one departs from evil.7.When a man's ways please Yahweh, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him."Observation
16:5-7.The proud in heart rule their own lives without caring what God thinks; that's why they are abomination (something to be destroyed) to Him. By loyalty and faithfulness, carried out in the fear of the Lord, iniquity is purged because the person departs from evil. They can then enjoy the blessing of peace, even in the midst of their enemies. Many translations distort 16:6a, without understanding the parallelism with 16:6b, and contrast with 16:5.
Application
If we are conscious of God's impending judgment, we won't do what's wrong, but will be careful to do what's right.
Prayer
God, help me please You and enjoy Your peace: by fearing You, departing from evil, and walking in loyalty and faithfulness. Amen.
2Chronicles 1-7 God Dwells with His People
God prospers Solomon, who responds with a huge sacrifice; God offers him whatever he wants, and Solomon asks for wisdom to do his job of judging God's people. God gives not only that, but whatever else his heart could desire. Solomon then builds and dedicates the temple. God's glory fills it; fire falls from heaven, Solomon prays, and God appears a second time to respond to the major theme of Solomon's prayer, with the famous words of2 Chronicles 7:14 "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 1 Solomon Gets Wisdom
1.Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and Yahweh his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly.3.So Solomon, and all the assembly with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon; for there was the Tent of Meeting of God, which Moses the servant of Yahweh had made in the wilderness.4.But David had brought the ark of God up from Kiriath Jearim to the place that David had prepared for it; for he had pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem.5.Moreover the bronze altar, that Bezalel had made, was there before the tabernacle of Yahweh: and Solomon and the assembly were seeking counsel there.6.Solomon went up there to the bronze altar before Yahweh, which was at the Tent of Meeting, and offered one thousand burnt offerings on it.7.In that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, "Ask what I shall give you."8.Solomon said to God, "You have shown great hesed/loyal covenantal love to David my father, and have made me king in his place."9.Now, Yahweh God, let your promise to David my father be established; for you have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude.10."Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this your people, that is so great?"11.God said to Solomon, "Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches, wealth, or honor, nor the life of those who hate you, neither yet have asked long life; but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge my people, over whom I have made you king":12."wisdom and knowledge is granted to you. I will give you riches, wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings have had who have been before you; neither shall there any after you have the like."13.So Solomon came from the high place that was at Gibeon, from before the Tent of Meeting, to Jerusalem; and he reigned over Israel.14.Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen: and he had one thousand four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, that he placed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.15.The king made silver and gold to be in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars made he to be as the sycamore trees that are in the lowland, for abundance.16.The horses which Solomon had were brought out of Egypt and from Kue; the king’s merchants purchased them from Kue.17.They brought up and brought out of Egypt a chariot for six hundred pieces of silver, and a horse for one hundred fifty: and so for all the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of Syria, they brought them out by their means."Observations
1:1-8.Solomon goes to Gibeon where the Tabernacle and sacrificial altar were, to seek God's counsel. He offers a thousand burnt offerings (the whole thing gets burned up) and God appears to him and offers to bless him.
1:9-10.
Solomon recognized that his position is a result of God keeping His covenantal promises to David (hesed) and that God made Solomon ruler over His people. Solomon doesn't seek his temporal power, pleasure, and possessions, but seeks wisdom to serve God by justly ruling His people.
1:11-12.
God gives Solomon wisdom and understanding, as requested, and then pours out the temporal blessings in addition, to an unparalleled degree.
1:13-17.
The chronicler records Solomon coming down off the spiritual high on the mountaintop, and then descending on the path of neglecting his Quiet Time and the specific commands given to kings in Deuteronomy 17. (See post there, and 1 Kings 10-11, and sermon on how Solomon blew it.) Solomon will do great things for God, but wind up a loser, because he didn't develop the discipline of daily seeking God's will in His word.
Application
Develop the discipline of daily seeking God's will in His word, and doing it.
Prayer
God, I ask for wisdom to choose the right objectives and the right means of attaining them, every day, starting with seeking Your will in Your word. Amen.
2 Chronicles 2 Temple Building Help
1.Now Solomon purposed to build a house for the name of Yahweh, and a house for his kingdom.2.Solomon counted out seventy thousand men to bear burdens, and eighty thousand men who were stone cutters in the mountains, and three thousand and six hundred to oversee them.3.Solomon sent to Huram the king of Tyre, saying, "As you dealt with David my father, and sent him cedars to build him a house in which to dwell, so deal with me.4.Behold, I am about to build a house for the name of Yahweh my God, to dedicate it to him5."The house which I build is great; for our God is great above all gods.6.But who is able to build him a house, since heaven and the heaven of heavens can’t contain him? who am I then, that I should build him a house, except just to burn incense before him?7."Now therefore send me a man skilful to work in gold...to be with the skilful men who are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father provided.8."Send me also cedar trees...10.Behold, I will give to your servants..wheat..barley...wine ...oil."11.Then Huram the king of Tyre answered in writing "Because Yahweh loves his people, he has made you king over them."12.Huram continued, "Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel, that made heaven and earth, who has given to David the king a wise son, endowed with discretion and understanding, that should build a house for Yahweh, and a house for his kingdom.13.Now I have sent a skilful man, endowed with understanding, of Huram my father’s,14.the son of a woman of the daughters of Dan; and his father was a man of Tyre, skilful to work in gold, and in silver, in brass, in iron, in stone, and in timber, in purple, in blue, and in fine linen, and in crimson, also to engrave any kind of engraving, and to devise any device; that there may be a place appointed to him with your skilful men, and with the skilful men of my lord David your father.15."Now therefore the wheat and the barley, the oil and the wine, which my lord has spoken of, let him send to his servants:16.and we will cut wood out of Lebanon, as much as you shall need; and we will bring it to you in floats by sea to Joppa; and you shall carry it up to Jerusalem."17.Solomon numbered all the foreigners who were in the land of Israel, after the numbering with which David his father had numbered them; and they were found one hundred fifty-three thousand six hundred.18.He set seventy thousand of them to bear burdens, and eighty thousand who were stone cutters in the mountains, and three thousand six hundred overseers to set the people at work."Observations
2:1-2.The opening verses match up the the last two, bracketing the interchange between Solomon and Huram concerning skilled workmen and lumber. The next two chapters detail the construction.
2:3-10.
Solomon tells Huram what he's doing and asks for help, and specifies the pay. He magnifies God, saying that He is so much greater than the greatest thing we can give Him. In humility, Solomon admits that the great temple is just a spot to burn incense to God.
2:11-16.
Huram responds to Solomon's request, blessing Yahweh for giving Israel such a wise king. At this time in their history, Israel was performing the function for which they were created (Isaiah 43:7,21), to bring glory to God, specifically by drawing the Gentile nations to Him.
Application
By seeking God wisely, we should draw others to know and serve Him.
Prayer
Lord, may my service of You be done in wisdom, so others are drawn to You, for that is why I exist. Amen.
2 Chronicles 3 Temple Foundation
1."Then Solomon began to build the house of Yahweh at Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where Yahweh appeared to David his father, which he prepared in the place that David had appointed, in the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.2.He began to build in the second day of the second month, in the fourth year of his reign.3.Now these are the foundations which Solomon laid.4....overlaid it within with pure gold.10.In the most holy house he made two cherubim of image work; and they overlaid them with gold.17.He set up the pillars before the temple, one on the right hand, and the other on the left; and called the name of that on the right hand Jachin (He establishes), and the name of that on the left Boaz (in Him is strength)."2 Chronicles 4 Temple Furnishings
1."Then he made an altar of brass, twenty cubits its length, and twenty cubits its breadth, and ten cubits its height.2.Also he made the molten sea...6.He made also ten basins...7.He made the ten lampstands of gold according to the ordinance concerning them...9.Furthermore he made the court of the priests, and the great court, and doors for the court, and overlaid their doors with brass.18.Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundance: for the weight of the brass could not be found out.19.Solomon made all the vessels that were in the house of God, the golden altar also, and the tables with the show bread on them;20.and the lampstands with their lamps, to burn according to the ordinance before the oracle, of pure gold;22.as for the entry of the house, the inner doors of it for the most holy place, and the doors of the main hall of the temple were of gold."2 Chronicles 5 Temple Filled with Glory
1."Thus all the work that Solomon did for the house of Yahweh was finished. Solomon brought in the things that David his father had dedicated, even the silver, and the gold, and all the vessels, and put them in the treasuries of the house of God.2.Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the princes of the fathers’ households of the children of Israel, to Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of Yahweh out of the city of David, which is Zion.4.All the elders of Israel came: and the Levites took up the ark;5.and they brought up the ark, and the Tent of Meeting, and all the holy vessels that were in the Tent.6.King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, that were assembled to him, were before the ark, sacrificing sheep and cattle, that could not be counted nor numbered for multitude.7.The priests brought in the ark of the covenant of Yahweh to its place, into the oracle of the house, to the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubim.10.There was nothing in the ark except the two tables which Moses put at Horeb, when Yahweh made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of Egypt.11.When the priests had come out of the holy place...12....and with them one hundred twenty priests sounding with trumpets;)13.the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking Yahweh; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised Yahweh, saying, "For he is good; for his hesed/loyal covenantal love endures forever!" that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of Yahweh,14.so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of Yahweh filled the house of God."Observations
5:1-10.When the temple was completed, Solomon, the leaders, and the Levites brought the ark of the covenant (which actually contained the covenant), and the Tabernacle and its vessels to their new home.
5:11-14.
As they are praising God for His goodness and enduring hesed/covenantal loyalty (two of the most commonly praised attributes, along with greatness), His glory fills the temple as it did when the Tabernacle was completed (Exodus 40:34). God now dwelt with His people!
Application
Those who obediently honor God trusting in His goodness and hesed, experience His glory.
Prayer
Glorious God, You are worthy of all praise and honor, for Your goodness and loyal love of Your people; may I dwell in Your presence today and every day. Amen.
2 Chronicles 6 Conditions for Forgiveness
1."Then Solomon said, "Yahweh has said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.2.But I have built you a house of habitation, and a place for you to dwell in forever."3.The king turned his face, and blessed all the assembly of Israel: and all the assembly of Israel stood.4.He said, "Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel, who spoke with his mouth to David my father, and has with his hands fulfilled it...10."Yahweh has performed his word that he spoke; for I have risen up in the place of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as Yahweh promised, and have built the house for the name of Yahweh, the God of Israel.13....down on his knees before all the assembly of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven;14.and he said, "Yahweh, the God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven, or on earth; you who keep covenant and hesed/loyal love with your servants, who walk before you with all their heart;15.who have kept with your servant David my father that which you promised him: yes, you spoke with your mouth, and have fulfilled it with your hand, as it is this day.16."Now therefore, Yahweh, the God of Israel, keep with your servant David my father that which you have promised him, saying, ‘There shall not fail you a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel, if only your children take heed to their way, to walk in my law as you have walked before me.’17.Now therefore, Yahweh, the God of Israel, let your word be verified, which you spoke to your servant David.18."But will God indeed dwell with men on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens can’t contain you; how much less this house which I have built!19.Yet have respect for the prayer of your servant, and to his supplication, Yahweh my God, to listen to the cry and to the prayer which your servant prays before you;20.that your eyes may be open toward this house day and night, even toward the place where you have said that you would put your name; to listen to the prayer which your servant shall pray toward this place.21.Listen to the petitions of your servant, and of your people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: yes, hear from your dwelling place, even from heaven; and when you hear, forgive.22."If a man sin against his neighbor, and an oath is laid on him to cause him to swear, and he comes and swears before your altar in this house;23.then hear from heaven, and do, and judge your servants, bringing retribution to the wicked, to bring his way on his own head; and justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness.24."If your people Israel be struck down before the enemy, because they have sinned against you, and shall turn again and confess your name, and pray and make supplication before you in this house;25.then hear from heaven, and forgive the sin of your people Israel, and bring them again to the land which you gave to them and to their fathers.26."When the sky is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against you; if they pray toward this place, and confess your name, and turn from their sin, when you afflict them:27.then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of your servants, and of your people Israel, when you teach them the good way in which they should walk; and send rain on your land, which you have given to your people for an inheritance.28."If there is famine in the land, if there is pestilence, if there is blight or mildew, locust or caterpillar; if their enemies besiege them in the land of their cities; whatever plague or whatever sickness there is;29.whatever prayer and supplication be made by any man, or by all your people Israel, who shall know every man his own plague and his own sorrow, and shall spread forth his hands toward this house:30.then hear from heaven, your dwelling place and forgive, and render to every man according to all his ways, whose heart you know; (for you, even you only, know the hearts of the children of men;)31.that they may fear you, to walk in your ways, so long as they live in the land which you gave to our fathers.32."Moreover concerning the foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, when he shall come from a far country for your great name’s sake, and your mighty hand, and your outstretched arm; when they shall come and pray toward this house:33.then hear from heaven, even from your dwelling place, and do according to all that the foreigner calls to you for; that all the peoples of the earth may know your name, and fear you, as does your people Israel, and that they may know that this house which I have built is called by your name.34."If your people go out to battle against their enemies, by whatever way you shall send them, and they pray to you toward this city which you have chosen, and the house which I have built for your name;35.then hear from heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause.36."If they sin against you (for there is no man who doesn’t sin), and you are angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captive to a land far off or near;37.yet if they shall repent themselves in the land where they are carried captive, and turn again, and make supplication to you in the land of their captivity, saying, ‘We have sinned, we have done perversely, and have dealt wickedly’;38.if they return to you with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, where they have carried them captive, and pray toward their land, which you gave to their fathers, and the city which you have chosen, and toward the house which I have built for your name:39.then hear from heaven, even from your dwelling place, their prayer and their petitions, and maintain their cause, and forgive your people who have sinned against you.40."Now, my God, let, I beg you, your eyes be open, and let your ears be attentive, to the prayer that is made in this place.41."Now therefore arise, Yahweh God, into your resting place, you, and the ark of your strength: let your priests, Yahweh God, be clothed with salvation, and let your saints rejoice in goodness.42."Yahweh God, don’t turn away the face of your anointed. Remember your hesed/loyal covenantal love to David your servant."Observations
6:1-17.Solomon references the partial fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant (he sits on David's throne, and built the temple as God said) as the basis of trusting in its future fulfillment. He recognizes the conditions God placed upon David's descendents (6:16) to take heed and walk in God's law.
6:18-21.
Solomon asks God to hear when people pray and forgive, and then specifies a number of scenarios, indicating the pattern for God hearing and answering their prayer. God will confirm these in the next chapter.
6:22-23.
Sin against neighbor; judge; justify the righteous and bring retribution upon the wicked.
6:24-25.
Sin against God; lose battle; repent; confess; forgive; reinstate.
6:26-27.
Sin against God; no rain/afflicted, pray, confess, repent; forgive; teach; umbrellas.
6:28-31.
Personal or national plague for not fearing God; pray; forgive; payback; walk in ways.
6:32-33.
Foreigners pray; answer nicely so all will know and fear God.
6:34-35.
No sin; dependently pray; maintain their cause (a win would be nice).
6:36-39.
Sin against God; anger Him; delivered to captivity; repent; pray; grovel a bit; repent wholeheartedly; maintain their cause and forgive.
6:40-42.
General prayer requests, show hesed and let saints rejoice in God's goodness.
Application
Repentance (change of mind = ”that was not a good thing to do and I'm not going to do it again”) and confession (“You're right, and I was wrong and did bad”) are a sure path to forgiveness.
Prayer
God, thanks for both Your discipline, and that you graciously hear prayers of repentance and confession, and then forgive Your people who seek You wholeheartedly. Amen.
2 Chronicles 7 God's Promises
1."Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of Yahweh filled the house.2.The priests could not enter into the house of Yahweh, because the glory of Yahweh filled Yahweh’s house.3.All the children of Israel looked on, when the fire came down, and the glory of Yahweh was on the house; and they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground on the pavement, and worshiped, and gave thanks to Yahweh, saying, "For he is good; for his hesed/loyal covenantal love endures for ever."4.Then the king and all the people offered sacrifice before Yahweh.6....praised by their ministry, saying "For his hesed/loyal covenantal love endures for ever." The priests sounded trumpets before them; and all Israel stood.8.So Solomon held the feast at that time seven days, and all Israel with him9.On the eighth day they held a solemn assembly: for they kept the dedication of the altar seven days, and the feast seven days.10.On the three and twentieth day of the seventh month he sent the people away to their tents, joyful and glad of heart for the goodness that Yahweh had shown to David, and to Solomon, and to Israel his people.11.Thus Solomon finished the house of Yahweh, and the king’s house: and he successfully completed all that came into Solomon’s heart to make in the house of Yahweh, and in his own house.12.Yahweh appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him, "I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for a house of sacrifice.13."If I shut up the sky so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;14.if my people, who 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.15.Now my eyes shall be open, and my ears attentive, to the prayer that is made in this place.16.For now have I chosen and made this house holy, that my name may be there forever; and my eyes and my heart shall be there perpetually.17."As for you, if you will walk before me as David your father walked, and do according to all that I have commanded you, and will keep my statutes and my ordinances;18.then I will establish the throne of your kingdom, according as I covenanted with David your father, saying, ‘There shall not fail you a man to be ruler in Israel.’19.But if you 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;20.then I will pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have made holy for my name, I will cast out of my sight, and I will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples.21.This house, which is so high, everyone who passes by it shall be astonished, and shall say, ‘Why has Yahweh done thus to this land, and to this house?’22.They shall answer, ‘Because they abandoned Yahweh, the God of their fathers, who brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, and took other gods, worshiped them, and served them. Therefore he has brought all this evil on them.’"Observations
7:1-11.Fire comes down from heaven to consume the sacrifices indicating God's acceptance of them and everyone praises God for His enduring hesed.
7:12-16.
God appears again to Solomon to let him know that if, while being disciplined, His people humble themselves, pray, seek His face and repent from their disobedient ways, He will not only forgive, but heal their land.
7:17-22.
God gives Solomon a special postscript and mini lesson in cause and effect, elaborating on the negative consequence of Yahweh abandoning them because they abandoned Him (and took other gods, and bowed down/worshiped them, and served them - pay attention Solomon).
Application
If God seems far away, guess who moved?
Prayer
God, may I and my nation have the humility to acknowledge our departure from Your truth; repent; and seek Your ways and forgiveness, so You would forgive sin and heal our land. If not, protect, with Your hesed, those who do. Amen.
Digging Deeper
God in a nutshell: God wants to reveal Himself to the entire world, through the obedient service of His people, as He blesses them. He manifests Himself in answering prayer, protecting and prospering His people, so that there is a basis for belief. He will discipline disobedience, and requires repentance and confession for forgiveness (so we know we did wrong and won't continue to do it). He will abandon those who chose their own way and abandon Him. He forgives the humble who fear Him, and will heal them and their land. He always keeps His hesed (covenanted promises) like the ones in this paragraph. Always.Us in a nutshell: We can have a relationship with God in which He answers our prayers and comes to our rescue, and blesses us, if we do what He says. Simple. If we abandon Him, He will abandon us, and bring us into unpleasant circumstances and pain, as we reap the consequences or our sin. If we repent and confess our sin, and seek Him wholeheartedly, He will forgive, and usually restore after a while.
Where to go for more
Truthbase.netConditions for Answered Prayer