Solomon Dedicates the Temple
Study Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7: 1 – 7, 11
Background Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7
Lesson 11 May 10, 2025
Key Verse
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 forever.2 Chronicles 7:3
INTRODUCTION
The context of our Study focuses us on the indispensable need for prayer. Psalm 19:1 reminds us:
“The heavens declare the glory of God,
And the sky above proclaim his handiwork”.
This need for prayer is highlighted in this unique prayer in the only passage in the Old Testament that reports a formal prayer made on a great occasion of state, namely the dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem.
The entire nation had gathered at this new Temple king Solomon had built based of the plans that his father David had left for him based on the structure of the Tabernacle in the wilderness.
The Temple would have to be built on the site of the threshing floor where the hand of the angel of death had his sword drawn but stayed on the instructions of God after his killing 70,000 of the people of Israel in a disciplinary action for sin committed.
The site was the place on Mount Moriah where Abraham had taken his only son of promise Isaac on the instruction of God to offer him as a sacrifice to God. God stayed the hand of Abraham when Abraham showed his belief in God and God’s promises.
On this impressive occasion Solomon had stood before the altar of the Lord, knelt on his knees, and spread forth his hands toward heaven declaring the covenant terms:
‘O Lord. God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven or on earth, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to thy servants who walk before thee with all their hearts;
You have kept what You promised Your servant David my father; You have both spoken with Your mouth and fulfilled it with Your hand, as it is this day.
Therefore, LORD GOD of Israel, now keep what You oromised Your servant David my father, saying, “You shall not fail to have a man sit before Me on the throne of Israel, only if your sns take heed to their way, that they wall in My law as you have walked before Me.
And now, O LORD GOD of Israel, let Your word come true, which you have spoken to Your servant David.But wil God indeed dwell with men on the earth Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You, How much less this Temple which I have built?”.
We are therefore looking at how Solomon gave public recognition to God’s promise to David on the importance to God of having a son of David sit on the throne on earth as King.
But note the importance of the people of God reign on earth (Romans 5:17) though kinship with their Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ.
As well as this promise, Solomon highlighted human responsibility in 16: 6 as they face their recognition of the presence of God in their midst.
This prayer addresses God with ‘Thank you’, one of the first expressions children are taught as soon as they are learning to talk; it is right there with mommy and daddy for priority words.
This almost universal practice underlines the importance of expressions of gratitude. It is an accepted virtue and courtesy to express and show gratitude and appreciation for favors, acts of kindness, and duty and service rendered.
Importantly it is in the context of relationships, interaction and exchanges between persons that thanks and gratitude find expression. Given this however it is to be remembered that the most critical relationship for any person is undoubtedly his or her relationship with God.
Since God is our Creator, Provider, Protector, Savior, Redeemer and that His mercies are renewed every morning (Lam. 3:22-23) thanksgiving to God is necessarily to be a daily activity for the believer. This daily activity notwithstanding, special thanks are due for particular and special blessings and occasions in the life of a Christian.
A prominent reminder to God’s people throughout Scripture is to be thankful. The Psalms include many such exhortations (Psalm 95:2; 100:4; 116:17), as does the New Testament (Ephesians 5:20; Philippians 4:6; Colossians 2:7). As Paul told the Thessalonians,
“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
Conversely, lack of thanksgiving to God indicates a fatal lack;
“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; … …. Wherefore God also gave them up…”,(Rom.1:20-24).
This prayer then emphasizes the significance of prayer as we express our reliance on Him.
It speaks to us of the public prayer which is a “reasonable service”.
It expresses humility before God as we acknowledge the need for His grace and His forgiveness.
Solomon in his prayer therefore clearly shows us the need for prayer and repentance as we seek God’s face, and he calls us to action in humble praying fervently and respond to the promises of God by turning to Him.
Turning from our wicked ways and following His instructions and commandments is a necessary feature in this great prayer.
We must note therefore as we look at and examine this prayer of Solomon that it specifically directed for God to come and manifest Himself. The public event as well as its special requests shows us what has to be done on certain occasions if the believers want God to show Himself to them in a tangible way.
God’s reaction would strengthen His people in a marvelous way. God clearly wants us to be thankful as we remember His promises.
This was especially important as the people of Israel were experiencing the great heights brought by King David had fought and brought by God’s guidance peace and victory over their enemies and things were going well.
God’s blessing to the nation was clear and one writer comments on the dangers the king and the people faced. He stated:
“And it is at the moment that we find the nation pausing to giv God thanks. As we watch Israel’s thanksgiving at the temple’s dedication, we wil learn six things about giving thanks that we can put into practice or pray for as we approach our own season of Thanksgiving.
- Before giving thanks, seek the glory of God
- Express genuine worship as part of thanksgiving.
- Pray
- Give thanks in all circumstances for tis is the will of God in Jesus Christ for you.
This event would be long remembered. Note however that even when we pray for the remission of sin, and there is no public manifestation of His presence, we know that the Holy Spirit remains with us individually.
His promise in addition is that wherever two or three are gathered in His name He is in the midst to bless.
We learn therefore the value of public worship and the lesson appears to be that this public worship is in fact a test of the character of the believer. Their reaction shows much about what they are like.
Believers must learn and know that this is a true privilege of those that are true worshippers of God and so they delight in performing acts of public worship. It is so valuable that it should be promoted.
Note also that God appeared among His people by symbols. God cannot present Himself to human beings in anything approaching His fullness. We simply could not stand that for we are mere mortals. Even the angels around the throne of God veil their sight by their wings. Remember that God is everywhere.
Clearly though the glory of God sent to His people should not be regarded as simply a supernatural event for it symbolized God Himself and the fact that He himself came to dwell with Israel.
Nevertheless, knowing that God is present with us His people is a source of extreme blessedness, and we should seize every opportunity to invite Him to come.
The Book(s) of Chronicles was written during the period of the Restoration following the edict of Cyrus (2 Chron. 36:22-23; Ezra 1:1-3) that the Jewish exiles should return to Palestine and rebuild the Temple of their God. 1 and 2 Chronicles covers the historical period of 1 and 2 Samuels and 1 and 2 Kings.
The weighted emphasis of the book is on David and Solomon and their particular efforts to see about the construction of the Temple, a permanent ‘dwelling place’ for the Lord, so as to establish and formalize the nation’s worship and allegiance to Yahweh.
The selective material of the book points to the fact that the original readers of Chronicles, as well as ourselves, needed to remember the history of the nation of God and the spiritual issues that had molded and would mold their destiny.
They faced very formidable challenges to re-establish national institutions the foremost being that of rebuilding the Temple.
These records would guide them as they sought to reestablish Israel in the Promised Land after the Babylonian captivity. The writer’s review was intended to give to the returning exiles the true spiritual foundations of their theocracy as the covenant people of Jehovah. One writer notes:
“This historian’s purpose is to show that the true glory of the Hebrew nation was found in its covenant relationship to God, as safeguarded by the prescribed forms of worship in the temple and administered by the divinely ordained priesthood under the protection of the divinely authorized dynasty of
David.”
The Book informs us that Solomon had overseen the construction of the Temple and the entire nation through representatives gathered at the compound for its dedication. The king’s gratitude to God for His faithfulness and mercies was expressed in his eloquent prayer and an extended celebration and the offering of numerous sacrifices. God showed His acceptance of the sacrifices and affirmation of the Temple by sending fire to consume the offerings. The people themselves responded to the occasion and appearance of God’s glory with spontaneous worship, praise and thanksgiving.
Undoubtedly there was an element of personal satisfaction in Solomon’s celebration, he being the fulfillment of the promised son that built the Temple. The people however were no less enthusiastic in their worship and poured out their hearts in thanksgiving, fully aware theirs’ too was the covenant-keeping God.
They understood that their very reason for being was spiritual and rested in their covenant relationship with God and His gracious provision of a Temple for worship was a major milestone that occasioned profuse thanksgiving on their part. The nation of Israel observed not just a day of thanksgiving (as is commonly done in countries such as the United States and Canada) but a celebration that spanned two weeks.
Today’s lesson comes at the end of Solomon’s prayer and we see the important role that giving thanks played in celebrating the dedication of the Temple. Let us view our text as a standard to dedicate our bodies, the temple of the Holy Spirit, with true worship and thanksgiving, in the face of God’s continuous providence in our lives, (1 Cor.3:16-17).
THE TEXT
Verse 1. …the fire came down from heaven… and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices…
Solomon concluded his dedicatory prayer with the plea that the Lord would “arise” and come into His “resting place” (6:41).
The immediate ensuing fire from heaven was dramatic evidence that the Lord was pleased with the sentiment and by extension had answered his prayer. In this same way God had testified to His acceptance of Moses (Leviticus 9:24), Gideon (Judges 6:21), David
(1 Chronicles 21:26), Elijah (1 Kings 18:38). Generally to accept the burnt-sacrifice is in one Hebrew sense, to turn it to ashes, (Psalm 20:3).
Over the duration of the dedication, so many sacrifices were brought to the altar and so many offered that it became almost impossible to keep track of their number (2 Chronicles 5:5-6). Even with the provisional altar (vs.7) it appears some sacrifices still remained and it is likely that it was these that were consumed at this point.
Similar demonstrations of heavenly fire associated with an altar also accompanied the dedication of the Tabernacle (Leviticus 9:23-24) and David’s offering prepared on a threshing floor to stop a pestilence (plague) sent upon the people of Israel (1 Chron. 21:14-27). In each case, the fire signified God’s acceptance of the offerings. So it was with the fire that consumed Solomon’s sacrifices.
This obviously was not an ordinary day in the life of the nation.
This token of God’s acceptance would have encouraged the assembly to continue the solemnities of the feast and Solomon was encouraged to pursue all his designs for the honor of God.
… And the glory of the Lord filled the house… the phrase is virtually identical to that found in 2 Chronicles 5:14. It also echoes what took place when the assembling of the Tabernacle was completed (Exodus 40:34-35). God’s blessing upon and approval of Solomon’s temple was obvious to all present.
Verse 2. And the priests could not enter into the house of the Lord … this too is exactly what transpired at the completion of the Tabernacle in the wilderness. On that occasion Moses was not able to enter that structure because of the overwhelming presence of the glory of the Lord. Neither could the priests conduct their ministry when the Ark of the Covenant was brought into the temple due to the overwhelming nature of the sacred presence (2 Chronicles 5:14). Maybe the luminance from the ‘glory of the Lord’ was such that the priests could not even see!
The concept of the “glory of God” is quite an interesting one. It is generally regarded as the Shekinah glory. One writer describes this:
“The word shekinah does not appear in the bible, but the concept clearly does. The Jewish rabbis coined this extra-biblical expression, a form of a Hebrew word that literally means “he caused to dwell”, signifying that it was a divine visitation of the presence or dwelling of the Lord God on this earth.
The Shekinah was first evident when the Israelites set out from Succoth in their escape from Egypt. There the Lord appeared in a cloudy pillar in the day and a fiery pillar by night: “After leaving Succoth they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert. By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and b night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people” (Exodus 13:20-22).
God spoke to Moses out of the pillar of Cloud in Exodus 33, assuring him that His presence would be with the Israelites (vs9). Verse 11 says God spoke to Moses “face to face” out of the cloud, but when Moses asked to see God’s glory, God told him “You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live” (vs. 20). So apparently the visible manifestation of God’s glory was somewhat muted. When Moses asked to see God’s glory, God hid Moses in the cleft of a rock, covered him with His hand, and passed by. Then He removed His hand, and Moses saw only His back. This would seem to indicate that God’s glory is too awesome and powerful to be seen completely by man”.
One writer lists for us when the Skekinah had appeared
1. When Moses received his commission at the burning bush at Midian (Exodus 3:1-6)
2. When God gave the Ten Commandments at Mount Horeb (Exodus 24:9-17)
3. When the Jews completed the Tabernacle in the wilderness (Exodus 40:30-35)
4. When Aaron and his sons completed their seven-day ordination and sacrifices to become priests (Leviticus 9:23-24)
5. When the Jews completed the temple in Jerusalem (1 Kings 8:10-11, 2 Chronicles 7:1)
6. When Isaiah appeared in heaven and feared that he would be destroyed (Isaiah 6:1-6), and
7. When believers get to heaven and live in the presence of God’s Shekinah Glory in the heavenly Temple (Revelation 15:8)
Exodus 14:24-25 tells us that God looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army pursuing Israel and they realized that this awesome God was fighting against them.
Verse 3. … they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground …
The immediate response of all the children of Israel was fitting for such a display of Heaven-sent power. They bowed their faces to the ground (this meant they literally bent, kneeled, bowed down, sunk down on their knees to kneel in reverence) and worshipped (prostrated themselves paying homage to this superior person). Thus they expressed their awful dread of the divine majesty, their awed submission to the divine authority and the sense they had of their unworthiness to be in God’s presence.
Their response also calls to mind the people’s reaction at the dedication of the Tabernacle when fire came forth and consumed the sacrifices on the altar (Leviticus 9:24). A similar outpouring of praise will occur much later following the descent of heavenly fire in answer to Elijah’s prayer on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:39).
… Saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth forever…the people voiced these same words when the Ark of the Covenant was placed within the temple (2 Chronicles 5:13). This refrain had by this time become an integral part of Israelite worship within the Old Testament record.
David first delivered this Psalm (which included this refrain) to thank the Lord into the hand of Asaph and his brethren” for use as part of the worship ceremony that accompanied bringing the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem (1 Chron.16:7–34). The refrain became a kind of worship standard as indicated later in 1 Chronicles 16 where a list of names is included, designating those responsible for various matters of Temple worship. Verse 41 records that all these individuals were chosen “to give thanks to the Lord, because his mercy endureth for ever.”
This refrain is also found in Psalms 100, 106, 107, 118, and 136. Each of the latter’s twenty six verses concludes with the refrain. Furthermore, when the prophet Jeremiah pictured the return of God’s people to Jerusalem from captivity, he described them using these very words in celebrating their return (Jeremiah 33:10, 11).
When God’s people do return and lay the foundations of the Second Temple, the words of this refrain form part of their grateful worship (Ezra 3:10, 11). All in all, this refrain occurs about forty times in the Old Testament. This is a song that should never out of season and for which our hearts and tongues should be never out of tune. Clearly an assuring sentiment for God’s people then and now!
Verse 4. Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the Lord.
Now come the actions of worship that follow the posture and words of worship of the previous verse. Note that both king and people are participants here.
In other nations of the ancient Near East, the king was commonly viewed as a deity to whom worship was offered. Solomon understood his proper place in the ceremony; he was just as much a worshipper as any member of the common people.
Verse 5. And king Solomon offered a sacrifice of … when the Ark of the Covenant was carried into the Temple, so many sheep and oxen were sacrificed that it was near impossible to keep count
(2 Chronicles 5:6). The numbers of animals offered are given, and the figures are staggering to consider. The sacrifice of 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep dwarfs those of later reform celebrations in
2 Chronicles 29:32; 30:24; 35:7-9.
Some claim that such numbers should not be taken literally, given the logistics of such an undertaking. Verse seven however provides additional information that might allow for sacrifice of such magnitude.
There are references however to pagan sacrifices in Rome exceeding the amount sacrificed here. However verses 8-10 tell us that a great company of Israelites, perhaps numbering a million or more came from Hamath to the brook of Egypt to attend this celebration, and they had to be fed for the 23 days they were there. In addition the writer comments on Solomon delay in having this celebration:
“(2 Chronicles 7:10). The seventh month was September/October. The dedication did not take place till after the work was completed (2 chronicles 7:1) in the eight month (Oct./Nov.) of Solomon’s eleventh year (960 B.C.). So the temple was not dedicated until eleven months had passed, that is, in 959 B.C., at the time of the annual feast of the tabernacles (cf. 2 Chr. 7:8-10). From this it is evident that Solomon delayed the dedication almost a year in order to make it coincide with the annual feast of tabernacles which the whole nation was required to attend, thus assuring the largest possible assembly”.
(See also Wycliffe Old Testament Commentary, p.395)
Later the Lord appeared to Solomon and told him,
“I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for a house of sacrifice” (2 Chronicles 7:12). The Temple’s function as a “house of sacrifice” was certainly being fulfilled on this memorable dedication ceremony!
The abundance of sacrifices Solomon brought to the Temple dedication were intended to glorify God for His goodness to Israel. These sacrifices constituted the essence of true worship. They were offered to exalt a gracious God whose “mercy endureth for ever.” Is that why you give back to the Lord?
Verse 6. … the Levites also with instruments of musick of the Lord …
worship through music was an integral part of the ceremony. The mention of David is noteworthy. Even though David was not permitted to build the Temple, he was allowed to contribute “abundantly” to the project (1 Chronicles 22:5).
Part of that preparation was organizing the ministry of worship through music, which was something very close to David’s heart. Second Samuel 23:1 refers to him as “the sweet psalmist of Israel.”
The fact that David the king had made certain instruments of musick to use in worship and that he praised by their ministry fits well with his own status as a musician (1 Samuel 16:23; 2 Samuel 6:5). He employed, directed, and encouraged them in this work of praising God; and therefore their performances were accepted as his act, and he is said to praise by their ministry.
(1 Chronicles 16:4-7; 25:1-7).
Verse 7. Moreover Solomon hallowed the middle of the court … here we see how the numbers of
2 Chronicles 7:5 can be taken literally: Solomon hallowed (dedicated) additional sacred space for the various sacrifices of the occasion. In addition, the entire ceremony of dedication lasted two weeks (vs.9). Thus, while the task of offering the sacrifices required a significant effort from the priests and Levites present, the numbers of the sacrificial animals do not need to be interpreted in any way other than literal.
… the burnt offerings, and the meat offerings, and the fat … the types of offerings noted reflect the totality of the people’s worship and devotion to the Lord.
Usually burnt offerings (described in Leviticus 1) address issues of sin or of dedication to the Lord. The term meat offerings represents the grain offerings, with the word meat describing the choice part of the grain as opposed to the worthless chaff; (Leviticus 2:14; Isaiah 62:8).
These offerings symbolize thanksgiving, and the regulations for presenting them are found in Leviticus 2.
Peace offerings are the only offerings in which a portion may be eaten by the worshipper and the priest (Leviticus 3; 7:11-18); the fat of such offerings is to be presented only to the Lord (3:16, 17).
… the brazen altar which Solomon had made is not to be understood as indicating that the king dreamed up his own ad hoc addition to the Temple furnishings. This altar was part of the original design for the tabernacle (the precursor to the temple), as noted in Exodus 27:1-8; 38:1-7. Solomon made this altar in the sense that he authorized its size be scaled up to match the larger size of the temple
Verses 8-9. … Solomon kept the feast seven days … the feast alluded to here is the Feast of Booths, or Tabernacles (also known as Ingathering). We know this because of the reference in 2 Chronicles 7:10 to “the seventh month,” which is the month when this feast is to be observed for a period of seven days (Leviticus 23:33-36, 39-43; 2 Chronicles 5:3). Its purpose was to recognize the harvest provided by the Lord. Thus, the dedication of the Temple (for which the people are gathered to give thanks) occurs adjacent to a feast already on the Israelite calendar, a feast already set aside for giving thanks to God.
The sense of unity and support for Solomon’s undertaking is clear from both the number of worshippers and the distances they travel: from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt. Hamath is a city located in upper Syria on the Orontes River. The river of Egypt most likely refers to the stream of water known as the Wadi el Arish, which is situated on the southwestern border of Palestine and flows into the Mediterranean Sea.
These boundaries are significant in that they reflect God’s intention as to the territory that His people should possess (Numbers 34:5-8). Hamath designates the northernmost point; the Wadi el Arish marks the southernmost point.
The people gathered on this day could celebrate not only the achievement of building a temple but also the building of a great nation in fulfillment of the promise to Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3; 1 Kings 4:21, 24). Neither could have happened without the Lord’s blessing.
Solomon set an appropriate example as he led in the worship of the Lord. However, the history of God’s people in the Old Testament demonstrates that no matter how devout leaders may be, we do well not to place too much faith in them. Saul, David, Solomon, and their successors prove the point.
In Jesus we have a King who will never lead us astray. Although we are to honor earthly authorities
(1 Peter 2:17), our ultimate allegiance must be only to Him.
they kept the dedication of the altar seven days, and the feast seven days… the Law of Moses stipulates that the Feast of Tabernacles lasts seven days, beginning the fifteenth day of the seventh month (Leviticus 23:33, 34). Since the people are sent home on the twenty-third day of this month (2 Chronicles 7:10), the dedication of the Temple lasts seven days followed by the seven-day observance of the Feast of Tabernacles.
The solemn assembly on the eighth day concluded both the gathering for the dedication of the Temple and the Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:36b; Numbers 29:35-38). That the dedication of the altar is specifically noted is perhaps in keeping with the temple’s purpose as a sacred place for sacrifices to be offered (2 Chronicles 7:12).
Verse 10. Though not in our Lesson Text, this describes the conclusion of what must have been an uplifting time of praise and worship. The people left
“glad and merry in heart for the goodness that the Lord had shewed unto David, and to Solomon, and to Israel His people.”
The length of time dedicated to worship and thanksgiving would be striking to Christians in North America, who generally think two hours spent in assembly is more than enough. One writer notes:
“We must never grudge the time that we spend in the worship of God and communion with him, nor think it long, or grow weary of it”.
Once more the important role of David is highlighted. What has transpired on this momentous day marks the fulfillment of part of God’s covenant with David. Both his son Solomon and the entire nation of Israel are the beneficiaries of God’s faithfulness, and they acknowledge that truth as they depart from this memorable celebration to return home.
Verse 11.
Solomon continued his work, and prosperously completed all the designs he had for beautifying the house of God and his own house.
This teaches us that if we look to begin with the service of God in all our affairs, that we are likely to go on to be successful in our own affairs. It was Solomon’s praise to complete a dwelling place for the Lord and he undertook that task and followed through with, and it was by the grace of God that he prospered in it.
CONCLUSION
Praise God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit for being faithful and keeping their word and promise.
Salomon and the people felt an acute sense of gratitude to God at the completion of the Temple. The recognition of God’s mercy and faithfulness was expressed in enthusiastic worship, thanksgiving and abundant sacrifices. Surely our salvation and God’s providential care and mercies provide no less motives for thanksgiving on the part of Christian.
In thinking about the theme of today’s Lesson, “always grateful,” is appropriate. This is a motto for Christians to live by in recognition of God’s mercy.
Of that mercy we can say, as the worshippers at the temple dedication proclaimed, it “endureth for ever.”
It is good to note again Paul’s exhortation “in every thing give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
God is always among His people. He always acts in the appropriate time to bless and show mercy.
When we meet in fellowship and in public and praise God with a thankful heart we too will experience the joy of the Lord.
We should keep in mind that those words came from someone whose surroundings were often less than comfortable or carefree. Earlier in that same epistle, Paul referred to the suffering and shameful treatment that he and his companions had experienced while preaching the Gospel (1 Thessalonians 2:1, 2).
He even writes of Christians being “appointed” for such treatment (3:3).
Yet Paul did not allow such situations to shake his spirit or cloud his view of the Lord’s mercy to him. His motto could have been “always grateful”.
May it be ours as well!