2 Chronicles 7:4 Komentář

In this chapter we have God's answer to Solomon's prayer. I. His public answer by fire from heaven, which consumed the sacrifices (Ch2 7:1), with which the priests and people were much affected (Ch2 7:2, Ch2 7:3). By that token of God's acceptance they were encouraged to continue the solemnities of the feast for fourteen days, and Solomon was encouraged to pursue all his designs for the honour of God (Ch2 7:4-11). II. His private answer by word of mouth, in a dream or vision of the night (Ch2 7:12-22). Most of these things we had before, 1 Kings 8 and 9.

INTRODUCTION TO 2 CHRONICLES 7 In this chapter is an account of the Lord's acceptance of the sacrifices offered at the dedication of the temple by fire, to the great surprise and encouragement of the people, Ch2 7:1, and of the feast kept on that account, and the feast of tabernacles, Ch2 7:8, and of the Lord's appearance to Solomon, giving an answer to his prayer, Ch2 7:13.

Then the king and all the people,.... Of these two verses; see Gill on Kg1 8:62; see Gill on Kg1 8:63. . 2 Chronicles 7:6 ch2 7:6 ch2 7:6 ch2 7:6And the priests waited on their offices,.... Performed them, some in offering sacrifices, others in blowing trumpets, as it may be explained from the latter part of the verse: the Levites also with instruments of music of the Lord, which David the king had made to praise the Lord; under a divine direction, on which the Levites played to the songs of praise offered to the Lord, and by which they made music sacred to him: because his mercy endureth for ever; which, as it was the close of their songs of praise, was the cause of them: when David praised by their ministry; the songs sung being composed by him, and the instruments they played upon being of his invention, and used by his order: and the priests sounded trumpets before them; or rather over against them, that is, over against the Levites, as they were singing and playing on the instruments of music: and all Israel stood; while this sacred and delightful service was performing, they both stood up, and stood by the priests and Levites, and joined with them in praising the Lord.

Solomon having ended his prayer, the fire of the Lord comes down from heaven and consumes the offerings, Ch2 7:1. The people and the priests see this, and glorify God, and offer sacrifices, Ch2 7:2-4. Solomon offers twenty-two thousand oxen, and one hundred and twenty thousand sheep; and the priests and Levites attend in their offices, Ch2 7:5, Ch2 7:6. He keeps the feast seven days, and the dedication of the altar seven days, and dismisses the people, Ch2 7:7-11. The Lord appears unto him by night, and assures him that he has heard his prayer, Ch2 7:12-16; promises him and his posterity a perpetual government, if they be obedient, Ch2 7:17, Ch2 7:18; but utter destruction should they disobey, and become idolaters, Ch2 7:19-22.

The king and all the people offered sacrifices - They presented the victims to the priests, and they and the Levites slew them, and sprinkled the blood: or perhaps the people themselves slew them; and, having caught the blood, collected the fat, etc., presented them to the priests to be offered as the law required.

GOD GIVES TESTIMONY TO SOLOMON'S PRAYER; THE PEOPLE WORSHIP. (Ch2 7:1-3) the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering--Every act of worship was accompanied by a sacrifice. The preternatural stream of fire kindled the mass of flesh, and was a token of the divine acceptance of Solomon's prayer (see on Lev 9:24; Kg1 18:38). the glory of the Lord filled the house--The cloud, which was the symbol of God's presence and majesty, filled the interior of the temple (Exo 40:35).

SOLOMON'S SACRIFICES. (Ch2 7:4-11) Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices--Whether the individual worshippers slaughtered their own cattle, or a certain portion of the vast number of the Levitical order in attendance performed that work, as they sometimes did, in either case the offerings were made through the priests, who presented the blood and the fat upon the altar (see on Kg1 8:62).