2 Chronicles 7 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study
2 Chronicles 7 Short Summary:
After Solomon’s prayer of dedication at the Temple, God’s glory filled the Temple and fire fell from heaven to consume the sacrifices on the altar. Years later, God appeared to Solomon during the night, promising to bless the people if they kept His divine law. God sternly warned Solomon against the temptation of idolatry.
2 Chronicles 7 Extended Summary
WHEN:
2 Chronicles 7 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:
FIRE FROM HEAVEN AND GLORY OF THE LORD IN THE TEMPLE (7:1-3):
After Solomon’s prayer of dedication at the Temple (see chapter 6), fire came down from heaven and consumed the sacrifices on the altar, and God’s glory filled the Temple.
When the people saw it, they fell on their faces and worshiped the Lord.
THE DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLE CONTINUES (7:4-10):
Solomon continued the sacrificing, with an offering of 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep.
A 7-day feast was held in Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication.
After the 7-day feast of dedication, the people returned to their homes with joy in their hearts.
GOD APPEARS TO SOLOMON AFTER BUILDING THE TEMPLE AND HIS PALACE (7:11-22):
Several years later, after Solomon had finished building the Temple and his palace, God appeared to him during the night.
He told Solomon He would show mercy to the people of Israel so long as they remained humble and faithful to His divine law.
God promised to support Solomon’s reign, so long as Solomon was obedient to Him.
He warned Solomon not to fall to the temptation of idolatry.
If Israel started worshipping idols, God promised to bring disaster on them and on the Temple in Jerusalem.
If that happened, Israel would be shamed among the nations, and every nation would know Israel’s fate was due to their lack or respect for the God who brought them out of Egypt.
APPLICATION:
God cared less about the physical Temple than He did about the hearts of the people who worshipped at that Temple.
He even threatened to destroy the Temple if the Israelites became wicked.
God isn’t concerned with the size of our programs, institutions, church buildings, Christian colleges, or online ministries nearly as much as He cares about our hearts.
God will not hesitate to tear down a great institution that bears His name if the hearts of the people who run that institution are corrupt.
God doesn’t need magnificent buildings or facilities to make His name great on the earth.
We shouldn’t try to hide wickedness behind great edifices. God will expose those who build edifices in His name, but never make a home for Him in their hearts.
If you set out to build a cathedral, a righteous heart is the key element of a proper foundation. If the heart is not right, the building will be in vain.
