What other biblical figures exemplify humility in prayer similar to Solomon's in 2 Chronicles 6:13? Solomon’s Kneeling Sparks the Discussion “Now Solomon had made a bronze platform five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high, and he placed it in the middle of the courtyard. He stood on it, knelt down before the whole assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven.” (2 Chronicles 6:13) Old Testament Portraits of Humble Prayer • Moses – “Moses immediately bowed to the ground and worshiped.” (Exodus 34:8) – Numbers 12:3 reminds us he was “very humble.” • David – “Then King David went in, sat before the LORD, and said, ‘Who am I…?’” (2 Samuel 7:18) – A broken-hearted model: Psalm 51:17. • Hannah – “In her deep anguish, Hannah prayed to the LORD, weeping bitterly.” (1 Samuel 1:10–11) • Hezekiah – “Hezekiah…went up to the house of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD.” (2 Kings 19:14–19) • Ezra – “I fell to my knees and spread out my hands to the LORD my God.” (Ezra 9:5–6) • Nehemiah – “When I heard these words, I sat down and wept…fasting and praying.” (Nehemiah 1:4–6) • Daniel – “Three times a day he knelt down, prayed, and gave thanks.” (Daniel 6:10) – “So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded…in fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.” (Daniel 9:3–4) New Testament Portraits of Humble Prayer • Jesus – “He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down, and prayed.” (Luke 22:41) – “Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed.” (Matthew 26:39) • The Tax Collector (parable, yet commended by Jesus) – “Unwilling even to lift up his eyes…‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’” (Luke 18:13) • Centurion at Capernaum – “Lord, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof.” (Luke 7:6–7) • Early Church & Apostles – “When Paul had said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed.” (Acts 20:36; 21:5) – “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father.” (Ephesians 3:14) Shared Marks of Genuine Humility in Prayer • Physical lowering—kneeling, bowing, even falling facedown • Confession of unworthiness (“Who am I?”, “I am not worthy”, “a sinner”) • God-centered focus—magnifying His greatness rather than personal merit • Dependence—spreading the problem before the Lord, pleading for mercy • Perseverance—repeated, regular, or prolonged seasons of prayer These common traits echo Solomon’s posture, reminding us that God still “gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6) |
    |