“If my people who are called by my name 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. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place.” - 2 Chronicles 7:14-15 (ESV)
As King Solomon stood in wonder surveying the majesty of Jehovah’s holy temple – now towering over him complete, now standing massive, solid, and immovable atop Mount Zion, now filled with the glory of the LORD – he cried out publicly in responsive worship. He blessed all the people of Israel who stood in silent awe under its shadow. And he prayed in thanksgiving to the LORD, the God of Israel, for all He had accomplished. [2 Chronicles 6:1-11]
This temple now stood as a testament to a dream and as the fulfillment of a promise. Solomon’s father, the great King David, had desired to build a house for the Lord, bringing the ark and its moveable tent – the tabernacle – to Jerusalem, establishing it once and for all as the city of God’s dwelling and unifying all of Israel in their worship of Jehovah. The people had been divided and scattered during the tumultuous years of King Saul’s reign, but seven years after Saul’s death, they finally rallied around David, proclaiming him king over all Israel in Jerusalem. [cp 2 Samuel 2:1 - 5:12; 1 Chronicles 11:1-9] David hoped ultimately to rally them around Jehovah.
But God did not permit David – a man of war and of bloodshed – to build this house. God promised instead to make a “house” out of David’s family, allowing his son to build it, and his son’s sons to rule beside Him from there forevermore. [cp 2 Samuel 7:1-16; 2 Chronicles 6:12-17] With the temple now looming ominous over his shoulder as he sits confirmed on his father David’s throne, Solomon exalts in worshipful prayer the God who keeps His promises. [2 Chronicles 6:12-17]
Solomon acknowledges that even this imposing structure on its lofty mountain perch is vastly inadequate to “house” the God who is higher than the heavens. [2 Chronicles 6:18-21] But armed with confidence in serving such a God, Solomon begins to make a series of petitions to Jehovah on behalf of the people of Israel in the form of “If… then” statements.
God Himself had established His covenant with Israel on the basis of “…if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, (then) you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples… and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” [Exodus 19:5-6; the “then” is implied, inserted parenthetically for emphasis by me in this citation from ESV] Fittingly, Solomon prays for grace from the God who keeps covenant and shows steadfast love to those who incline their hearts to Him. [cp 2 Chronicles 6:14]
Solomon’s petitions to God in the presence of all the people cover a wide range of potential needs that only God as their true King can supply. If men sin against one another, then may God provide justice – “repaying the guilty” and “vindicating the righteous”. [2 Chronicles 6:22-23] If Israel sins and is defeated by their enemies, then “bring them again to the land” if they acknowledge what they have done and plead with God. [2 Chronicles 6:24-25; 34-40] If there is drought or famine in the land because of Israel’s sin, then hear them, forgive them, and teach them, “that they may fear you and walk in your ways all the days that they live in the land”. [2 Chronicles 6:28-31] And even if foreigners should call on Him because they have heard of His greatness, may God “hear… in order that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you”. [2 Chronicles 6:32-33]
At the heart of all of these petitions are three basic principles. First, there is the recognition by Solomon that he is not truly king, but that Jehovah reigns. Solomon knows that he cannot possibly provide all that is needed for God’s people (much less for foreigners!) – from impartial and appropriate justice to protection and providence in the midst of enemies and calamities. Second, there is an absolute trust that God is good and loving, and that He has the power to act in goodness on behalf of those who love Him and against those who do not. Third, there is the need for real and deep repentance on the part of the people when one of those first two principles has been forgotten and violated. [2 Chronicles 6:36-40]
Following Solomon’s prayer and the sacrifices of dedication at the temple, that night the Lord appeared to him to assure him that He had heard his prayer and his petitions. [2 Chronicles 7:12-22] If any of His people – including Solomon himself – should turn aside from following Jehovah, He would remove their blessing and eventually even remove them from the land of promise. However, if His people would indeed remember Him and humble their hearts in repentance, then Jehovah would be attentive to their call.
That “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” is as true for us as it was for them. [Romans 3:23; cp 2 Chronicles 6:36] Solomon could not save Israel (nor even himself!) from his position as David’s son upon the throne. But God has attended the cries of the repentant by sending Jesus, the Son of David, to restore a people to Himself. Will you humble yourself, pray, seek His face, and turn from your sins so that He may forgive you?