2 Chronicles 6 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study
2 Chronicles 6 Short Summary:
2 Chronicles 6 contains Solomon’s prayer at the dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem. He prayed that God’s blessings would fall on Israel so long as they were faithful to the Lord. He also prayed for future mercy in the event that his people fell into sin.
2 Chronicles 6 Extended Summary
WHEN:
2 Chronicles 6 discusses events that took place in the early years of Solomon’s reign, specifically from his 4th to 11th year as king.
Solomon was king for 40 years according to 1 Kings 11:42, from approximately 1015-975 B.C.
CHARACTERS:
Solomon – Son of David and the 3rd king of God’s people in the Promised Land.
Assembly of Israel – All the people of Israel were gathered in Jerusalem for the dedication of the Temple.
WHERE:
The capital of the Kingdom of Israel and Judah was Jerusalem. Jerusalem is called Zion in 2 Chr 5:2.
The Temple was built in Jerusalem at the location where Araunah’s threshing floor once stood on Mount Moriah (2 Sam 24; 1 Chron 21:18; 2 Chron 3:1).
OUTLINE:
SOLOMON PRAISES GOD FOR ALLOWING HIM TO BUILD THE TEMPLE (6:1-11):
Solomon blessed the congregation of Israel that had gathered at the Temple.
He blessed God in front of all the people and spoke fondly of his father’s desire to build the Temple.
Solomon worshipped God for keeping His promises to David. David wasn’t allowed to build the Temple, but God permitted his son (Solomon) to inherit the throne and build it in his place.
SOLOMON’S PRAYER AT THE TEMPLE DEDICATION (6:12-42):
Solomon prayed to God with his hands outstretched in front of the Altar of Burnt Offering, which was in front of the Temple.
He asked God to fulfill His promises by blessing Judah and Israel so long as their kings followed the Lord.
Solomon knew God was too great to be housed in a man-made building, even a building as exalted as the Temple. Nevertheless, he asked God to hear the prayers that His people offered from that place.
He asked God to punish the wicked and vindicate the righteous.
He prayed that God would hear the prayers of foreigners who would come to the Temple seeking to know the Lord. By answering their prayers, God would show Himself to be the true God of Heaven, superior to all idols and foreign deities.
A large portion of Solomon’s prayer was about future forgiveness. He asked God to be open to forgiving the nation if they fell into sin sometime in the future.
He specifically asked they be allowed to return to the Promised Land if they repented after being taken captive and exiled by a foreign power.
APPLICATION:
Great leaders know their nations are dependent on God for future success and they acknowledge they’ll need God’s forgiveness for inevitable mistakes.
This sentiment is rarely expressed in modern governments, but its just as true today as it was during these ancient days.
Undoubtedly, our nations would be better off if people were regularly reminded of their dependence on God.
The popular delusion, that mankind is the primary force behind national success, is plunging many modern nations into confusion, chaos, and collapse.
