Our summer series is walking us through Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication for the Temple from the perspective of 2 Chronicles 6. A nearly verbatim and parallel text can be found in 1 Kings 8.
We’ve been “at this” now for several weeks and are finally over the halfway point. Unapologetically, I am using Solomon’s Prayer as a springboard into other parts of the Old Testament in order to develop a theological perspective that gains momentum as we approach the New Covenant. I am interested in what Solomon says, but also what can be implied by what he says.
Coupled together with Ezra and Nehemiah as the final books of the Hebrew Scriptures, Chronicles play a valuable role in providing insight into the heartbeat of postexilic Israel at the close of the Tanak. The “chronicler” turns our attention upon the Tribe of Judah and the lineage of King David specifically. The Northern Kingdom –that which was stolen away by the foolishness of Rehoboam and the sin of Jeroboam– is hardly mentioned in the whole course of First and Second Chronicles. The absence is actually quite alarming and unexpected, given the record found in the books of First and Second Kings. One assumes they are mirrors of one another; however, there are obvious differences between the two histories of Israel’s kings, and an unequivocal focus upon the Tribe of Judah and the hope for Messiah yet to come can be found throughout Chronicles.
Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication anticipates the ebbs and flows of the nation as she rocks back and forth through a tumultuous history, and yet Solomon provides a way of escape under each scenario: when Your people pray toward this place –this Temple– hear and forgive! Original hearers, then later readers of this text are met with an insatiable hope in a faithful, covenant-keeping God who will indeed hear and even offer forgiveness to those who seek it. God’s faithfulness to King David is honored and upheld in Solomon’s Prayer as he calls upon the LORD to continue in establishing the Davidic Covenant through the reign of his sons. A precedent is created and the invitation is mandated that anyone who prays toward the Temple will find forgiveness, healing and worship restored.
Here’s a glimpse into our path of discovery so far:
- vv. 1-11 = What is transient (the Tabernacle) is now permanent (the Temple).
- vv. 12-17 = God is faithful and “keeps” His covenant established with David.
- vv. 18-21 = The Temple is where Heaven meets earth (How astonishing to meet Jesus and to hear Him say that His body replaces the Temple (John 2:18-22). Come to Jesus all who are weary and heavy laden, and He will give you rest!)
- vv. 22-23 = Obeying Torah and loving our neighbor are not separate moral choices and never have been; instead, they are complementary of one another… we cannot fully obey without truly loving.
- vv. 24-25 = Proper worship provides true victory (Samuel, Eli and a stolen Ark of the Covenant illustrate this nicely in 1 Samuel 4-7… Here I raise my Ebenezer!).
- vv. 26-27 = God’s healing will be as right as rain for a dry and thirsty land (the best view of this is on top of Mount Carmel with the Prophet Elijah, 1 Kings 18).
The remaining messages will include the faith of three young Hebrews, the conversion of an outsider that will heal the soul of an insider, the angel of the LORD disposing of an immense army overnight and a drowning man caught in a storm of his own design. Through all of this, we see God’s benevolent grace and mercy extended to those who seek Him, who turn from their sinfulness and pursue His righteousness.
"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, 'My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust'" (Psalm 91:1-2). The end is equally sweet, "Because he holds fast to Me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows My name. When he calls to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation" (Psalm 91:14-16).
Glorify. Train. Engage. 