Solomon Blesses the LORD
(1 Kings 8:12–21)

1Then Solomon declared:

“The LORD has said that He would dwell

in the thick cloud.

2But I have built You an exalted house,

a place for You to dwell forever.”

3And as the whole assembly of Israel stood there, the king turned around and blessed them all 4and said:

“Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who has fulfilled with His own hand what He spoke with His mouth to my father David, saying, 5‘Since the day I brought My people out of the land of Egypt, I have not chosen a city from any tribe of Israel in which to build a house so that My Name would be there, nor have I chosen anyone to be ruler over My people Israel. 6But now I have chosen Jerusalem for My Name to be there, and I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’

7Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a house for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel. 8But the LORD said to my father David, ‘Since it was in your heart to build a house for My Name, you have done well to have this in your heart. 9Nevertheless, you are not the one to build it; but your son, your own offspring, will build the house for My Name.’

10Now the LORD has fulfilled the word that He spoke. I have succeeded my father David, and I sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised. I have built the house for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel. 11And there I have placed the ark, which contains the covenant of the LORD that He made with the children of Israel.”

Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication
(1 Kings 8:22–53)

12Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel and spread out his hands. 13Now Solomon had made a bronze platform five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits higha and had placed it in the middle of the courtyard. He stood on it, knelt down before the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven, 14and said:

“O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven or on earth, keeping Your covenant of loving devotion with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts. 15You have kept Your promise to Your servant, my father David. What You spoke with Your mouth You have fulfilled with Your hand this day.

16Therefore now, O LORD, God of Israel, keep for Your servant, my father David, what You promised when You said: ‘You will never fail to have a man to sit before Me on the throne of Israel, if only your descendants guard their way to walk in My law as you have walked before Me.’ 17And now, O LORD, God of Israel, please confirm what You promised to Your servant David.

18But will God indeed dwell with man upon the earth? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built. 19Yet regard the prayer and plea of Your servant, O LORD my God, so that You may hear the cry and the prayer that Your servant is praying before You.

20May Your eyes be open toward this temple day and night, toward the place where You said You would put Your Name, so that You may hear the prayer that Your servant prays toward this place. 21Hear the plea of Your servant and of Your people Israel when they pray toward this place. May You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place. May You hear and forgive.

22When a man sins against his neighbor and is required to take an oath, and he comes to take an oath before Your altar in this temple, 23then may You hear from heaven and act. May You judge Your servants, condemning the wicked man by bringing down on his own head what he has done, and justifying the righteous man by rewarding him according to his righteousness.

24When Your people Israel are defeated before an enemy because they have sinned against You, and they return to You and confess Your name, praying and pleading before You in this temple, 25then may You hear from heaven and forgive the sin of Your people Israel. May You restore them to the land You gave to them and their fathers.

26When the skies are shut and there is no rain because Your people have sinned against You, and they pray toward this place and confess Your name, and they turn from their sins because You have afflicted them, 27then may You hear from heaven and forgive the sin of Your servants, Your people Israel, so that You may teach them the good way in which they should walk. May You send rain on the land that You gave Your people as an inheritance.

28When famine or plague comes upon the land, or blight or mildew or locusts or grasshoppers, or when their enemies besiege them in their cities, whatever plague or sickness may come, 29then may whatever prayer or plea Your people Israel make—each knowing his own afflictions and spreading out his hands toward this temple— 30be heard by You from heaven, Your dwelling place. And may You forgive and repay each man according to all his ways, since You know his heart—for You alone know the hearts of men— 31so that they may fear You and walk in Your ways all the days they live in the land that You gave to our fathers.

32And as for the foreigner who is not of Your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of Your great name and Your mighty hand and outstretched arm—when he comes and prays toward this temple, 33then may You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You. Then all the peoples of the earth will know Your name and fear You, as do Your people Israel, and they will know that this house I have built is called by Your Name.

34When Your people go to war against their enemies, wherever You send them, and when they pray to You in the direction of this city You have chosen and the house I have built for Your Name, 35then may You hear from heaven their prayer and their plea, and may You uphold their cause.

36When they sin against You—for there is no one who does not sin—and You become angry with them and deliver them to an enemy who takes them as captives to a land far or near, 37and when they come to their senses in the land to which they were taken, and they repent and plead with You in the land of their captors, saying, ‘We have sinned and done wrong; we have acted wickedly,’ 38and when they return to You with all their heart and soul in the land of the enemies who took them captive, and when they pray in the direction of the land that You gave to their fathers, the city You have chosen, and the house I have built for Your Name, 39then may You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place, their prayer and pleas, and may You uphold their cause. May You forgive Your people who sinned against You.

40Now, my God, may Your eyes be open and Your ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place.

41Now therefore, arise, O LORD God, and enter Your resting place,

You and the ark of Your might.

May Your priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation,

and may Your godly ones rejoice in goodness.

42O LORD God, do not reject Your anointed one.

Remember Your loving devotion to Your servant David.”

1. The Power of Prayer and Dedication
In 2 Chronicles 6, Solomon's prayer of dedication for the temple is a powerful reminder of the importance of prayer in our lives. Solomon's heartfelt plea to God shows us that prayer is not just a ritual but a vital connection with our Creator. As Solomon prays, "May Your eyes be open toward this temple day and night, toward the place where You said You would put Your Name" (2 Chronicles 6:20), we are reminded that God is always attentive to our prayers, ready to listen and respond.

2. Acknowledging God's Faithfulness
Solomon begins his prayer by acknowledging God's faithfulness to His promises. He says, "You have kept Your promise to Your servant David my father; with Your mouth You have promised and with Your hand You have fulfilled it" (2 Chronicles 6:15). This teaches us to remember and celebrate God's faithfulness in our own lives, recognizing that He is always true to His word.

3. The Importance of Humility
Solomon's prayer is marked by humility, as he recognizes the greatness of God and the smallness of man. He asks, "But will God really dwell on earth with men? Even the heavens, the highest heavens, cannot contain You" (2 Chronicles 6:18). This humility is a lesson for us to approach God with reverence and awe, acknowledging our dependence on His grace.

4. Seeking Forgiveness and Repentance
Solomon intercedes for the people, asking God to forgive their sins when they turn back to Him. He prays, "When they sin against You—for there is no one who does not sin—and You become angry with them... and if they have a change of heart... then hear from heaven and forgive" (2 Chronicles 6:36-39). This highlights the importance of repentance and seeking God's forgiveness, knowing that He is merciful and just.

5. The Role of the Temple as a Place of Worship
The temple was a central place for worship and sacrifice, symbolizing God's presence among His people. Solomon's dedication reminds us of the significance of gathering together in worship, as he prays, "May Your eyes be open toward this temple day and night" (2 Chronicles 6:20). Today, while we may not have a physical temple, we are called to be living temples, offering our lives as worship to God.

6. God's Sovereignty Over All Nations
Solomon's prayer extends beyond Israel, acknowledging God's sovereignty over all nations. He prays for foreigners who come to the temple, saying, "Do whatever the foreigner asks of You, so that all the peoples of the earth may know Your name and fear You" (2 Chronicles 6:33). This teaches us that God's love and authority extend to all people, and we are called to share His truth with the world.

7. The Necessity of Obedience
Solomon emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's commands, praying that the people will "walk in obedience to You and keep Your commands" (2 Chronicles 6:31). Obedience is a key aspect of our relationship with God, as it reflects our love and commitment to Him. By following His ways, we align ourselves with His perfect will.

8. The Assurance of God's Presence
Throughout Solomon's prayer, there is a strong assurance of God's presence with His people. He prays, "May the LORD our God be with us as He was with our fathers; may He never leave us nor forsake us" (2 Chronicles 6:42). This assurance is a comforting reminder that God is always with us, guiding and supporting us through every circumstance.

9. The Call to Righteousness
Solomon's prayer includes a call for the people to live righteously, asking God to "maintain the cause of His servant and the cause of His people Israel, according to each day's need" (2 Chronicles 6:35). Righteousness is not just about following rules but living in a way that reflects God's character and brings glory to His name.

10. The Promise of God's Listening Ear
Finally, Solomon's prayer concludes with a powerful promise: "Now, my God, may Your eyes be open and Your ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place" (2 Chronicles 6:40). This assures us that God is always ready to listen to our prayers, no matter where we are. We can approach Him with confidence, knowing that He hears us and is eager to respond.

Dedication to God's Service
Ask God to help you dedicate every aspect of your life to His glory.

Forgiveness and Restoration
Pray for forgiveness for personal and communal sins, seeking God's restoration.

Intercession for Others
Pray for those who do not yet know God, that they may come to experience His love and grace.

As we study 2 Chronicles 6, may we be inspired by Solomon's dedication and prayer, and may it lead us to a deeper commitment to God and His purposes in our lives.

2. 2 Chronicles 6:4–11: The text attributes the Temple’s construction to a clear divine plan; where is the archaeological or historical evidence confirming Solomon’s Temple at this scale?

3. 2 Chronicles 6:22–23: This suggests immediate, divinely guided justice in conflicts; why is there little evidence of such direct interventions in historical records?

4. 2 Chronicles 6:36–39: The passage implies exiles and restorations happen in response to prayer and repentance; is there non-biblical documentation of these exiles clearly following that pattern?

5. 2 Chronicles 6:18: If the heavens cannot contain God, how can a physical building house His presence, and does this contradict other scriptures affirming God’s omnipresence?

1. How does Solomon's reminder of God's promise to David in his address to the Israelites relate to your understanding of God's faithfulness?

2. How does Solomon's prayer of dedication reflect his relationship with God?

3. In what ways can you apply the principles of Solomon's prayer to your own prayer life?

4. What does the dedication of the temple signify in terms of Solomon's obedience to God?

5. How does the concept of God's presence in the temple translate to God's presence in your life today?

6. How does Solomon’s intercession for the people of Israel resemble Jesus’ intercession for us today?

7. How do you see God's covenant with David reflected in your own life?

8. In what ways can we seek God's mercy and forgiveness like Solomon did for the Israelites?

9. What do you learn from Solomon's humility despite his status as king?

10. How can we ensure our lives are 'temples' that honor and glorify God?

11. How can we uphold obedience to God in a world that often encourages disobedience?

12. How does Solomon's prayer model the role of a leader interceding for his people?

13. How does Solomon's prayer help us understand the consequences of disobedience to God's laws?

14. How can we handle trials in our lives, as Solomon prays for God's help during Israel's trials?

15. How do the themes of blessings and punishment resonate with your understanding of God's love and justice?

16. How can you apply the concepts of divine presence and power of prayer in your daily routine?

17. How does the relationship between God and Israel in this chapter reflect our relationship with God today?

18. What does Solomon's prayer teach us about accountability and repentance?

19. How does Solomon's prayer illustrate the importance of individual and communal prayer?

20. How can we maintain our dedication and faithfulness to God in the face of worldly distractions?