2Ch 6:14-21 | KingComments | STEP | Solomon prays before the altar ( ), on a bronze platform ( ). The platform is not intended to raise himself above the people, but so that all may see him kneel and hear him pray (cf. ). The measures of the platform are those of the old burnt offering altar in the tabernacle ( ). A new and larger burnt offering altar has been made for the temple. Yet there is also a memory of the old, smaller burnt offering altar. The altar of the burnt offering is the place of meeting between the holy God and a sinful people. The sacrifice on that altar is consumed and the people go free. Solomon’s intercession is founded on the sacrifice that is brought. The service of intercession of the Lord Jesus now in heaven is based on His sacrifice, which He brought on earth to God through His work on the cross. Solomon’s attitude is appropriate and respectful, in accordance with his prayer. He spreads “out his hands toward heaven”. He knows that the LORD dwells there. Later, in his prayer, he will point to praying toward the house ( ) as a location on earth. This is in accordance with God’s will. Next, faith looks upward. are a long introduction to the prayer Solomon prays for the people. He presumes the existence of other gods ( ; cf. ), but no one can be compared to God ( ; ). He speaks of God’s fulfillment of what He has spoken in the past ( ). This is the reason for him to ask whether God will continue to keep in the future to what He has proclaimed ( ). When Solomon so appealed to God’s faithfulness in the past and expressed his confidence in God’s faithfulness for the future, he praises the immeasurable greatness of God ( ). God transcends everything. He is greater than all promises and than all places where one can live, both on earth and in the universe. God does not dwell in anything that man’s hands have made ( ; ). At the same time, the greatness of God is for him the invitation to ask that great God to pay attention to his “prayer” and to his “supplication” and to listen to his “cry” ( ). Solomon expresses himself increasingly stronger: praying, supplicating, crying. He desires intensely that God’s attention should be constantly focused on this house, because of His Name He has put there ( ). He asks the LORD once again to listen to his prayer, but now he also involves Israel and asks the LORD to listen to their prayer ( ). Solomon calls heaven the house of God. He realizes that the house he built is only a shadow of this, because the help for the building of this house had to come from heaven. Solomon speaks to the LORD in the awareness of his own smallness. He is no more than a servant who depends on His great Master in everything. In three successive verses, he speaks of himself as “Your servant” in each verse ( ). In the previous verses he always said this of his father David. We may certainly come to God as children, but we should never forget that we are servants as well. We may come with the boldness of a child, but also with the respect of a slave for his Lord.

‏ 2 Chronicles 6:14-21

Question to Listen to His Prayer

Solomon prays before the altar (2Chr 6:12), on a bronze platform (2Chr 6:13). The platform is not intended to raise himself above the people, but so that all may see him kneel and hear him pray (cf. Neh 8:4-5). The measures of the platform are those of the old burnt offering altar in the tabernacle (Exo 27:1). A new and larger burnt offering altar has been made for the temple. Yet there is also a memory of the old, smaller burnt offering altar.

The altar of the burnt offering is the place of meeting between the holy God and a sinful people. The sacrifice on that altar is consumed and the people go free. Solomon’s intercession is founded on the sacrifice that is brought. The service of intercession of the Lord Jesus now in heaven is based on His sacrifice, which He brought on earth to God through His work on the cross.

Solomon’s attitude is appropriate and respectful, in accordance with his prayer. He spreads “out his hands toward heaven”. He knows that the LORD dwells there. Later, in his prayer, he will point to praying toward the house (2Chr 6:26 ; 29 ; 34 ; 38) as a location on earth. This is in accordance with God’s will. Next, faith looks upward.

2Chr 6:14-21 are a long introduction to the prayer Solomon prays for the people. He presumes the existence of other gods (2Chr 6:14; cf. Exo 15:11), but no one can be compared to God (Deu 4:35 ; 39; 1Cor 8:6). He speaks of God’s fulfillment of what He has spoken in the past (2Chr 6:15). This is the reason for him to ask whether God will continue to keep in the future to what He has proclaimed (2Chr 6:16-17).

When Solomon so appealed to God’s faithfulness in the past and expressed his confidence in God’s faithfulness for the future, he praises the immeasurable greatness of God (2Chr 6:18). God transcends everything. He is greater than all promises and than all places where one can live, both on earth and in the universe. God does not dwell in anything that man’s hands have made (Isa 66:1 ; Isa 6:1; Acts 7:48 ; Acts 17:24).

At the same time, the greatness of God is for him the invitation to ask that great God to pay attention to his “prayer” and to his “supplication” and to listen to his “cry” (2Chr 6:19). Solomon expresses himself increasingly stronger: praying, supplicating, crying. He desires intensely that God’s attention should be constantly focused on this house, because of His Name He has put there (2Chr 6:20).

He asks the LORD once again to listen to his prayer, but now he also involves Israel and asks the LORD to listen to their prayer (2Chr 6:21). Solomon calls heaven the house of God. He realizes that the house he built is only a shadow of this, because the help for the building of this house had to come from heaven.

Solomon speaks to the LORD in the awareness of his own smallness. He is no more than a servant who depends on His great Master in everything. In three successive verses, he speaks of himself as “Your servant” in each verse (2Chr 6:19 ; 20 ; 21). In the previous verses he always said this of his father David. We may certainly come to God as children, but we should never forget that we are servants as well. We may come with the boldness of a child, but also with the respect of a slave for his Lord.