2 Chronicles 7

King James Version

Full text for 2 Chronicles Chapter 7

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 the LORD filled the house.

2And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD'S house.

3And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, [saying], For [he is] good; for his mercy [endureth] for ever.

4Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the LORD.

5And king Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty and two thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep: so the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.

6And the priests waited on their offices: the Levites also with instruments of musick of the LORD, which David the king had made to praise the LORD, because his mercy [endureth] for ever, when David praised by their ministry; and the priests sounded trumpets before them, and all Israel stood.

7Moreover Solomon hallowed the middle of the court that [was] before the house of the LORD: for there he offered burnt offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings, because the brasen altar which Solomon had made was not able to receive the burnt offerings, and the meat offerings, and the fat.

8Also at the same time Solomon kept the feast seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt.

9And in the eighth day they made a solemn assembly: for they kept the dedication of the altar seven days, and the feast seven days.

10And on the three and twentieth day of the seventh month he sent the people away into their tents, glad and merry in heart for the goodness that the LORD had shewed unto David, and to Solomon, and to Israel his people.

11Thus Solomon finished the house of the LORD, and the king's house: and all that came into Solomon's heart to make in the house of the LORD, and in his own house, he prosperously effected.

12¶ 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.

13If 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;

14If 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.

15Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer [that is made] in this place.

16For 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.

17And 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;

18Then 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.

19But 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;

20Then 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.

21And 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?

22And 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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Upon Solomon's prayer, fire descended from heaven, consuming the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple, preventing the priests from entering. A grand dedication ceremony followed, involving immense sacrifices and a fourteen-day feast. The LORD then appeared to Solomon, affirming His choice of the temple and promising to hear prayers made there. However, God also warned of severe consequences if Israel were to forsake His commandments and worship other gods.

Medium Summary

After Solomon concluded his prayer, divine fire descended, consuming the burnt offerings, and the glory of the LORD so completely filled the temple that the priests could not enter. Witnessing this, the Israelites prostrated themselves, praising God for His goodness and enduring mercy. King Solomon and the people then offered an immense number of sacrifices, dedicating the house of God over a period of fourteen days, which included a seven-day dedication of the altar and a seven-day feast, concluding with a solemn assembly. Subsequently, the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, confirming that He had heard his prayer and chosen that place for sacrifice, promising His perpetual presence. Yet, the LORD also delivered a conditional covenant, assuring blessings for obedience, including forgiveness and healing for a repentant people. Conversely, He warned that disobedience, particularly turning to other gods, would result in their expulsion from the land and the desolation of the temple, making it a byword among nations.

Long Summary

Following Solomon's completion of his prayer, a profound divine manifestation occurred as fire descended from heaven, consuming the burnt offerings and sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD so thoroughly filled the temple that the priests were unable to enter. All the children of Israel, witnessing this awe-inspiring event, bowed themselves to the ground, worshipping and praising the LORD for His goodness and everlasting mercy. King Solomon, alongside all the people, then offered an exceedingly vast number of sacrifices, dedicating the house of God with twenty-two thousand oxen and one hundred and twenty thousand sheep. The priests and Levites ministered with music and trumpets, as David had ordained. Solomon further hallowed the middle of the court to accommodate the numerous offerings, as the brazen altar was insufficient. A great feast of dedication was observed for seven days, followed by another seven days for the dedication of the altar, culminating in a solemn assembly on the eighth day. On the twenty-third day of the seventh month, the people were sent home, filled with joy for the LORD's goodness to David, Solomon, and Israel. Solomon successfully completed both the temple and his own palace. Subsequently, the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, affirming that He had heard his prayer and chosen that specific place as a house of sacrifice, promising that His eyes would be open and His ears attentive to prayers offered there perpetually. However, the LORD's message included a solemn conditional covenant: if His people, called by His name, would humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways, He would hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. Furthermore, if Solomon walked in obedience like his father David, his throne would be established. Conversely, the LORD warned that if they turned away from His statutes and commandments to serve other gods, He would pluck them from the land, cast the sanctified temple out of His sight, and make it a proverb and a byword among all nations, a desolate monument to their disobedience.

Core Concepts

  • Divine ConsecrationThe immediate descent of fire from heaven and the overwhelming presence of the LORD's glory filling the temple, signifying God's acceptance and sanctification of the newly built house.
  • Grand DedicationThe extensive period of sacrifices and feasting, involving immense offerings from King Solomon and all Israel, formally dedicating the temple and altar to the LORD.
  • Conditional CovenantThe LORD's direct communication to Solomon, establishing a covenant where blessings are promised for obedience and severe consequences are warned for disobedience.
  • Promise of Hearing PrayerGod assures Solomon that His eyes and ears will be attentive to prayers made in the consecrated temple, indicating His readiness to respond to His people.
  • Call to RepentanceThe LORD outlines that if His people humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways, He will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.
  • Consequences of DisobedienceA clear warning is given that forsaking God's statutes and serving other gods will result in the people being plucked from the land and the temple becoming a desolate byword.