2 Chronicles 7:1-7 - The Lord fills the temple

2 Chronicles 7:1-3

The temple had been built and prepared, now the most important thing happens, the Lord appears, for fire came down from heaven showing that the offerings were accepted. The people, not just the priests, saw the fire and fell down before th eLord, giving thanks to Him.

2 Chronicles 7:4-7

They all offered sacrifices to the Lord Solomon made a particularly extravagant sacrifice, twenty two thousand cattle, and twenty thousand sheep and goats. More praise was offered to the Lord, by the people and the Levites. Solomon then consecrated the middle part of the courtyard.

2 Chronicles 5:7-14 - The Lord Himself fills the temple

5:7-10

The ark was placed in the inner sanctuary of the temple. It was placed under the wings of the cherubim. The ark contained  the two tablets of the ten commandments, the other contents seem to have been removed at this stage (e.g. Aaron's rod). 

5:11-14

The priests had also consecrated themselves. There was also a “worship teamW and they sang

He is good,

His love endures forever

This is something Israel needed to remember, as do we.

The glory of the Lord, in the form of a cloud filled the temple. The cloud was tangible for the priests could not perform their service. The temple hd been filled with the furnishings, silver and gold, now it was filled with the Lord Himself.

2 Chronicles 6:1-42 Dedicating the temple

6:1-6

This is probably a reference to Ex19:9. Solomon puts the building of the temple down to God. Now God involves us in doing things with him, but when we achieve anything, we know that it is the Lord who enabled us to do it, who gave us the ability and the wherewithal. Jerusalem was God’s chosen place. He also says that He had chosen David to rule Israel. This was a reminder to the people that God’s plans were still in operation. Jesus was known as the son of David, He is God’s chosen king.

6:7-11

David’s desire to build a temple was a good desire, but it was not God’s plan. Solomon’s actions and words were all focused on God.

6:12-42

Solonon then prays to the Lord at the altar. The prayer stresses the faithfulness of God, and His uniqueness.  He prays for God to hear His people and to have mercy on them when they repent of their sins. He also asks God to hear the prayers of foreigners who call upon Him. The returnees are reminded that God is merciful to those who repent, so there is hope for the returnees.

2 Chronicles 5:1-6 - Filling the temple.

5:1

The silver, gold and furnishings were all brought into the temple. They were placed in the “treasuries of God’s temple”. The temple belonged to God, and the silver and gold belonged to God. The Israelites were not free to give these things away, as they had done from time to time, such as trying to buy off Assyria.

5:2-6

One thing remained, to bring the ark into the temple.Solomon assembled all the heads of tribes and elders. The Levites took up the ark. Solomon sacrificed many sheep and goats.

2 Chronicles 4:1-22 - Temple furnishings

4:1-22

More details are given, this time concerning the temple furnishings. The bronze altar had a circular sea. In Ezekiel's vision, this was replaced by a flowing river of life. The twelve bulls may be symbolic of the twelve tribes. Some of the details are similar to those found in 1 Kings, especially 1 Kings 7. There was great attention to details, and much skilled work required.

2 Chronicles 3- Building the temple

3:1-4

The preparations had all been made,now the actual building is under way. Mount Moriah is where Abraham had to be prepared to sacrifice Isaac. In earlier chapters precise dimensions are given, here we get more dimensions.

3:5

Much gold was used, along with precious stones. So much effort was put into building a temple suitable for the Lord. More details are given in Kings.

2 Chronicles 2:1-17 - The work starts

2:1-4

Solomon is now king and sets about building the temple, along with a royal palace for himself. He conscripted thousands of men to do the work, he also sought to get cedar logs from Tyre. The king of Tyre had sent logs to David for his palace, and now asks for logs for the temple. The importance of the temple is stressed. 

2:5-7

Solomon knows that God is great and the temple also needs to be great, He also recognises that he is just a man and not fit for such a task. He knows that he needs sacrifices for his own sins. Even so, he sets about the work. He needs skilled men to do the work.

2:8-17

His letter to Hiram, king of Tyre, was very humble. He received a favourable reply, partly out of his respect for David. Solomon took a census of all the foreigners in the land and used them to do the work.