2 Chronicles 7

NOW when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven In token of Gods Acceptance of his Prayer. See on Levit. 9. 24. 1 Kin. 18. 38., and consumed the burnt-offering, and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD i. e. The Cloud, which was the Sign of Gods glorious and gracious Presence. filled the house.

And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD Compare Exod. 40. 35., because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORDs house.

And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house The Cloud first came down upon the House, and then entred into the House, and was seen both within it by the Priests and without it by the People., 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.

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

And 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.

And 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 ministery For David composed the Psalms or Hymns, 1 Chron. 16. 7. and appointed them to be sung by the Levites, and instrumental Musick to be joyned to their Voices.: and the priests sounded trumpets before them, and all Israel stood.

Moreover, Solomon hallowed the middle of the court Of this and v. 8, 9, 10. see the Notes on 1 King..... 64, &c. that was before the house of the LORD: for there he offered burnt-offerings, and the fat of the peace-offerings, because the brazen altar which Solomon had made, was not able to receive the burnt-offerings, and the meat-offerings, and the... at.

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

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

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

Thus Solomon finished the house of the LORD See on 1 King. 9. 1, 2., and the kings house: and all that came into Solomons heart to make in the house of the LORD, and in his own house, he prosperously effected.

And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to my self for an house of sacrifice.

If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts i. e. Use my Authority and Power over them to cause them to do so. A Metaphor elsewhere used in reference to unreasonable Creatures, as 1 King. 17. 4. Amos 9. 3. who are not properly capable of a Command or of Obedience. to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people:

If 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 heat from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place Or, that shall be made in or towards this Place: for he speaks of the Answers which he will give to the Prayers which shall be made here. Heb. Of this Place..

For now have I chosen, and sanctified this house Of this Verse and the rest of this Chapter see the Notes on 1 King. 9. 3, &c., that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.

And 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:

Then will I establish 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.

But 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:

Then 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 by-word among all nations.

And this house which is high, shall be an astonishment to every one that passeth by it; so that he shall say, Why has the LORD done thus unto this land, and unto this house!

And 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 has he brought all this evil upon them.