Lesson Text: The text today deals with the first temple and Solomon’s dedication prayer (6:21-39). Solomon asked God to forgive Israel even when its sinfulness would lead God to carry out the curses of the covenant. The prayer linked three important concepts: the Davidic monarchy, the temple, and the land (2 Chronicles 6:4-11).
On Turning Back (2 Chronicles 7:12-16): God’s Affirmation (v. 12). “And the Lord appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice.” After the king and the people completed the dedication service, “Solomon” sent them to their homes glad and happy that God had shown his goodness to David, “Solomon” and to the people. When “Solomon” returned to his house, the A clause of the verse says, “And the Lord appeared to Solomon by night.” This was the second time that God had appeared to “Solomon at night.” God often brings thoughts to us at nighttime so that “Solomon” or we could give Him his complete attention. When God appeared to “Solomon” this second time, He “said unto him, I have heard their prayer.”
God assured “Solomon” that He had heard his prayer meaning that He had accepted his prayer. In addition, God said that he had also “chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice.” God was affirming that He had “chosen” the temple as His special place to accept their sacrifices.
God’s Attention (vv. 13-16).“If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land or if I send pestilence among thy people.” In this verse, the Lord gives Solomon some warnings and probable judgments that would fall upon His people if they were disobedient.
The first judgment: “If I shut up heaven that there be no rain.” For Israel’s disobedience, God would hold back the rain.
The second judgment: “or, if I command the locusts to devour the land.” The second probable judgment that could fall upon Israel for their disobedience was God sending swarms of “locusts” or “grasshoppers” to eat up their crops.
The third judgment: Finally, God said, “if I send pestilence among my people.” The third probable judgment upon a disobedient and sinful Israel would be God sending an epidemic of diseases which would kill many people.
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and turn from their wicked ways.” For Israel’s disobedience, God tells them how to fix any of the judgments that would fall upon Israel for their disobedience. First, although Israel may be disciplined for their sin and disobedience, God still refers to them as “my people, which are called by my name.” They were God’s “people” because he had called them for Himself; they belonged to Him. FOOTNOTE: Praise God !!! Although we sin.” God will not cast or throw us away.
” Then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” The phrase “hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin” was a direct answer to Solomon’s prayer that God would “hear thou from thy dwelling place, even from heaven; and when thou hearest, for give.”(see II Chronicles 6:21).
References: International Sunday School Lessons KJV 2022-2023, International Sunday School Lessons Commentary 2022-2023