This chapter records the prayer of King Solomon at the dedication of the newly built Temple in Jerusalem. This portion deals with his approach unto God and the beginning of his prayer. Solomon first blessed the congregation and then blessed the name of the Lord. Then, He reminded the Lord of promises yet to be kept. We can learn much from the prayer of Solomon.

What Does It Say?

1. Solomon declared, “I have built an house of __________ for thee, and a place for thy ___________ for ever.”
2. Solomon quoted the Lord as saying, “I have chosen ___________, that my name might be there; and have chosen _________ to be over my people Israel.”
3. Solomon stood before the _______ of the LORD in the presence of all the __________ of Israel.
4. Solomon stood on a brazen _________ of five cubits long, five cubits broad, and _______ cubits high.
5. The heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot _________ the Lord; how much less the _________ that Solomon built.

What Does It Mean?

1. Solomon declared, “The LORD hath said that he would dwell in the thick darkness” (2 Chronicles 6:1Then said Solomon, The LORD hath said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.
   See All...). Compare this verse with the following references: Exodus 20:21And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.
   See All...; Leviticus 16:2And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.
   See All...; Deuteronomy 4:11And ye came near and stood under the mountain; and the mountain burned with fire unto the midst of heaven, with darkness, clouds, and thick darkness.
   See All...; Psalm 18:11He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.
   See All...; Psalm 97:2Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.
   See All.... After considering these verses, tell what you think the significance is of God dwelling in thick darkness. What was its purpose? What does it teach us about God?
2. In 2 Chronicles 6:14And said, O LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee in the heaven, nor in the earth; which keepest covenant, and shewest mercy unto thy servants, that walk before thee with all their hearts:
   See All..., Solomon stated, “there is no God like thee in the heaven, nor in the earth.” Why is God like no other god? What reasons are given in this verse for the distinction of God above all others? What does this mean to us?
3.  2 Chronicles 6:20-21 [20] That thine eyes may be open upon this house day and night, upon the place whereof thou hast said that thou wouldest put thy name there; to hearken unto the prayer which thy servant prayeth toward this place. [21] Hearken therefore unto the supplications of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, which they shall make toward this place: hear thou from thy dwelling place, even from heaven; and when thou hearest, forgive.
   See All... refers to prayers prayed “toward this place.” Compare with 1Kings 8:35When heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou afflictest them:
   See All... and Daniel 6:10Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
   See All... and explain what this means. Why do you think this was encouraged?

What Does It Mean to Me?

1. According to 2 Chronicles 6:7-9 [7] Now it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel. [8] But the LORD said to David my father, Forasmuch as it was in thine heart to build an house for my name, thou didst well in that it was in thine heart: [9] Notwithstanding thou shalt not build the house; but thy son which shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house for my name.
   See All..., David wanted to build a house for the Lord (the temple), but the Lord did not allow him to do so. Yet God told him, “thou didst well in that it was in thine heart” (2 Chronicles 6:8But the LORD said to David my father, Forasmuch as it was in thine heart to build an house for my name, thou didst well in that it was in thine heart:
   See All...). In fact, God was so pleased with this desire that He in turn promised a continuation of David’s house or dynasty (2 Samuel 7:11And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house.
   See All...). In 2Corinthians 8:3-5 [3] For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; [4] Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. [5] And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
   See All..., Paul praises the Macedonian Christians for first giving of themselves to the Lord before they gave of their funds for the needs of others. Again, the heart is preeminent. Why is this so with God? Why does He look mainly on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
   See All...)? What does the Lord see when He looks at your heart?
2. When Solomon prayed unto the Lord, he reminded Him of his promise to preserve the house of David (that is, the dynastic line of David’s descendants as kings over Israel). In doing so, Solomon quoted God’s word to God and then added, “let thy word be verified” (2 Chronicles 6:17Now then, O LORD God of Israel, let thy word be verified, which thou hast spoken unto thy servant David.
   See All...). Many of the prayers in the Bible quote scripture back to God (for instance, Ezra 9:10-11 [10] And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? for we have forsaken thy commandments, [11] Which thou hast commanded by thy servants the prophets, saying, The land, unto which ye go to possess it, is an unclean land with the filthiness of the people of the lands, with their abominations, which have filled it from one end to another with their uncleanness.
   See All... and Acts 4:24-26 [24] And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: [25] Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? [26] The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
   See All...). Why is this practice such an important way to approach God in prayer? What are some ways in which we can put this into practice in our own prayer lives?

Suggested Memory Verses

2 Chronicles 6:1Then said Solomon, The LORD hath said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.
See All..., 6, 17