2Ch 6:20-25 | 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 6:20-25

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.

First Prayer

After the introduction to the prayer, we hear in 2Chr 6:22-39 what Solomon prays. It is a prayer consisting of seven parts or seven prayers. In these seven prayers we can make a subdivision. The first four prayers belong together and the last three.

The prayers one to four have to do with the relations of the people among themselves and the problem of sin. It concerns

1. the personal relationship between two members of God’s people (prayer 1),

2-3. the whole people (prayers 2 and 3) and

4. the individual Israelite, who personally cares about the general state of decay and with this in mind tests himself (prayer 4).

The prayers five to seven are more outwardly directed and more about the peoples around them. It concerns

5. the fate of the alien and the testimony which comes from the help he receives from the LORD (prayer 5),

6. the battle of the people and the support of the LORD which they experience (prayer 6) and

7. the people in exile because of their sins and their return to the land (prayer 7).

In these prayers, the confession of sin occupies a large place. We see that the prayers one through four and also the seventh prayer relate to sin. Much need in God’s church is caused by sin. It is also worth noting that the various prayers do not say: ‘If they ask for forgiveness’, but: ‘If they confess their sins, will You forgive’ (cf. 1Jn 1:9).

We can learn from the prayers and make an application for the present time, the time when the kingdom of God exists as a mystery. This kingdom includes all those who place themselves under the authority of Lord Jesus, Who is now the praying King-Priest with God and there prays for our benefit. His prayers are also echoed in His church, for the church is first and foremost a house of prayer (1Tim 2:1; Acts 2:42; Isa 56:7; Mt 21:13).

One more practical remark. Reading, or rather: prayerful reading, of this prayer takes about five minutes. That is not long. The value and contents are therefore not in the length. It is to be hoped that we will learn to pray in this way, so deeply, without the fuss of words. This is a public prayer. In the inner room we can pray as long as we want.

The first prayer (2Chr 6:22-23) is about the sin of one against another, a case in which is asked for an oath. If someone is suspected of sin, or if it is certain that someone has sinned, but there is no evidence, then the other can demand that the suspect takes an oath. The accused must then declare on oath that he is innocent. By virtue of this oath the judge hands him over, as it were, to the LORD. He even curses himself if he is guilty (Num 5:11-28). This curse can strike him in a direct government of God. The LORD shall deal with the consequences of the guilty person. Where people cannot come to clarity, God must provide clarity.

This situation can also be found today among God’s people in the case of sin between two brothers. It can be difficult to uncover the truth and make a correct judgment. The question is from what attitude the person in question deals with the sinning brother and how the church deals with it. It is important to pray that the Lord makes clear the true facts (Mt 18:15-20). The Lord, if the church asks Him unanimously for this, reveals where the matter is wrong and the church does not know.

Second Prayer

The second prayer concerns the case where the people are defeated before an enemy because of a sin of the people as a whole (Lev 26:17). If there is sin, the enemies come. God sends them to discipline His people and bring them to confession and return to Him (Jdg 2:14-16). Confession of sin can count on a listening God in heaven and on forgiveness of sin.

The consequence of sin is that the people are driven out of the land or at least do not receive the blessing of the land. If there is true repentance over sin, the people get back what they have lost through their sin. This also applies to us. If we’ve sinned, we’ve come into the power of the enemy. The spiritual blessings are not enjoyed then. If we confess our sin, we also regain the joy of salvation (cf. Psa 51:14a).

The faithful suffer the consequences of general unfaithfulness. It will lead them to live in a spirit of prayer and confession. By doing so, they will remain in possession and enjoyment of the blessings. Separation from evil may count on the Lord’s blessing.