FocusWisdom, dedication, and royal glory
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The temple's construction and dedication stand at the center of the account of Solomon's reign.
interpretation 2 Chronicles 6:1
KJVThen said Solomon, The LORD hath said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.
Read it in context
Solomon's Temple Dedication Speech and Prayer
Start reading at 2 Chronicles 6:1 (2 Chronicles 6:1 to 2 Chronicles 6:42).
This verse marks the beginning of Solomon's extensive speech and prayer at the dedication of the temple.
- 6:1 Then said Solomon, The LORD hath said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.
- 6:2 But I have built an house of habitation for thee, and a place for thy dwelling for ever.
- 6:3 And the king turned his face, and blessed the whole congregation of Israel: and all the congregation of Israel stood.
- 6:4 And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who hath with his hands fulfilled that which he spake with his mouth to my father David, saying,
- 6:5 Since the day that I brought forth my people out of the land of Egypt I chose no city among all the tribes of Israel to build an house in, that my name might be there; neither chose I any man to be a ruler over my people Israel:
- 6:6 But I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there; and have chosen David to be over my people Israel.
- 6:7 Now it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.
- 6:8 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:
- 6:9 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.
- 6:10 The LORD therefore hath performed his word that he hath spoken: for I am risen up in the room of David my father, and am set on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built the house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.
- 6:11 And in it have I put the ark, wherein is the covenant of the LORD, that he made with the children of Israel.
- 6:12 And he stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands:
- 6:13 For Solomon had made a brasen scaffold of five cubits long, and five cubits broad, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court: and upon it he stood, and kneeled down upon his knees before all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven,
- 6:14 And 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:
- 6:15 Thou which hast kept with thy servant David my father that which thou hast promised him; and spakest with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with thine hand, as it is this day.
- 6:16 Now therefore, O LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that which thou hast promised him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit upon the throne of Israel; yet so that thy children take heed to their way to walk in my law, as thou hast walked before me.
- 6:17 Now then, O LORD God of Israel, let thy word be verified, which thou hast spoken unto thy servant David.
- 6:18 But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built!
- 6:19 Have respect therefore to the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and the prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee:
- 6:20 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.
- 6:21 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.
- 6:22 If a man sin against his neighbour, and an oath be laid upon him to make him swear, and the oath come before thine altar in this house;
- 6:23 Then hear thou from heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, by requiting the wicked, by recompensing his way upon his own head; and by justifying the righteous, by giving him according to his righteousness.
- 6:24 And if thy people Israel be put to the worse before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee; and shall return and confess thy name, and pray and make supplication before thee in this house;
- 6:25 Then hear thou from the heavens, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which thou gavest to them and to their fathers.
- 6:26 When the heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; yet if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou dost afflict them;
- 6:27 Then hear thou from heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, when thou hast taught them the good way, wherein they should walk; and send rain upon thy land, which thou hast given unto thy people for an inheritance.
- 6:28 If there be dearth in the land, if there be pestilence, if there be blasting, or mildew, locusts, or caterpillers; if their enemies besiege them in the cities of their land; whatsoever sore or whatsoever sickness there be:
- 6:29 Then what prayer or what supplication soever shall be made of any man, or of all thy people Israel, when every one shall know his own sore and his own grief, and shall spread forth his hands in this house:
- 6:30 Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men:)
- 6:31 That they may fear thee, to walk in thy ways, so long as they live in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers.
- 6:32 Moreover concerning the stranger, which is not of thy people Israel, but is come from a far country for thy great name's sake, and thy mighty hand, and thy stretched out arm; if they come and pray in this house;
- 6:33 Then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for; that all people of the earth may know thy name, and fear thee, as doth thy people Israel, and may know that this house which I have built is called by thy name.
- 6:34 If thy people go out to war against their enemies by the way that thou shalt send them, and they pray unto thee toward this city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name;
- 6:35 Then hear thou from the heavens their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause.
- 6:36 If they sin against thee, (for there is no man which sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them over before their enemies, and they carry them away captives unto a land far off or near;
- 6:37 Yet if they bethink themselves in the land whither they are carried captive, and turn and pray unto thee in the land of their captivity, saying, We have sinned, we have done amiss, and have dealt wickedly;
- 6:38 If they return to thee with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, whither they have carried them captives, and pray toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, and toward the city which thou hast chosen, and toward the house which I have built for thy name:
- 6:39 Then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, their prayer and their supplications, and maintain their cause, and forgive thy people which have sinned against thee.
- 6:40 Now, my God, let, I beseech thee, thine eyes be open, and let thine ears be attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.
- 6:41 Now therefore arise, O LORD God, into thy resting place, thou, and the ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness.
- 6:42 O LORD God, turn not away the face of thine anointed: remember the mercies of David thy servant.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Ezra is the traditional Jewish attribution, while the final compiler is not known with certainty. First and Second Chronicles are parts of the same historical work. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (2 Chronicles 5:1–7:22): Solomon, the elders, priests, Levites, and assembled Israelites participate in the temple dedication. The LORD subsequently addresses Solomon personally. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? The Jewish community after exile, especially those concerned with the temple, worship, the Davidic kings, and the call to return and rebuild. Biblical references: 2 Chronicles 36:20; 2 Chronicles 36:22; 2 Chronicles 36:23. book background
What
- What is the main event or theme? Solomon's declaration that the LORD had said He would dwell in thick darkness, followed by his dedication of the temple he built for the LORD and his prayer acknowledging God's faithfulness to His promises to David.
- What is God revealing? God is revealing His presence, even in thick darkness, and His faithfulness in fulfilling His word to David through Solomon concerning the building of the temple in Jerusalem.
- What is the literary style? Narrative history, including a significant speech and prayer of dedication.
When
- When was it written? c. 450 to 425 B.C.
- When does the event take place? During the reign of King Solomon, specifically at the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem, which occurred early in his reign (c. 970 B.C. or shortly thereafter).
Where
- Where did it happen? At the newly built temple in Jerusalem, specifically before the altar of the LORD in the presence of the congregation of Israel.
- Where was the author located? Jerusalem
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Solomon's Temple Dedication Speech and Prayer (2 Chronicles 6:1 to 2 Chronicles 6:42). Start reading at 2 Chronicles 6:1. This verse marks the beginning of Solomon's extensive speech and prayer at the dedication of the temple.
How
- How does it fit the broader context? This verse initiates Solomon's grand dedication speech and prayer for the newly completed temple. It sets the theological foundation for the temple as God's dwelling place among His people, fulfilling the promise made to David. interpretation
- How does it point to Christ? The temple, where the LORD's presence dwelt, foreshadowed Christ, who is the ultimate dwelling place of God among men (John 1:14). The idea of God dwelling in 'thick darkness' (Exodus 20:21, 1 Kings 8:12) speaks to His unapproachable holiness and mystery, which is fully revealed and made accessible through Christ, who is the 'light of the world' (John 8:12) and the express image of God (Hebrews 1:3). interpretation
- How do I apply it today? This passage reminds us that God is faithful to His promises and that His presence is real, even when His ways seem mysterious or hidden. We can trust in His word and seek His presence, knowing that He has provided a way for us to draw near to Him. interpretation
Cited: 2 Chronicles 6:1, 2 Chronicles 6:2, 2 Chronicles 6:3, 2 Chronicles 6:4, 2 Chronicles 6:5, 2 Chronicles 6:6, 2 Chronicles 6:7, 2 Chronicles 6:8, 2 Chronicles 6:9, 2 Chronicles 6:10, 2 Chronicles 6:11, 2 Chronicles 6:12, 2 Chronicles 6:13, 2 Chronicles 6:14, 2 Chronicles 6:15, 2 Chronicles 6:16, 2 Chronicles 6:17, 2 Chronicles 6:18, 2 Chronicles 6:19, 2 Chronicles 6:20, 2 Chronicles 6:21, Exodus 20:21, 1 Kings 8:12
Who wrote it, and how we know
Ezra (traditional)
From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe book does not name its author. It closes with the decree of Cyrus.
2 Chronicles 36:22
Early traditionJewish tradition (Baba Bathra 14b) names Ezra.
What is debatedAuthorship is not stated.
Other accounts of this event
The temple dedication
Parallel accounts
These passages describe overlapping parts of the same event. Each account retains its own wording and emphasis.
Related passages
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of 2 Chronicles 6
Second Chronicles follows Solomon and the kings of Judah, emphasizing the temple, worship, and responses to prophetic warning. The closing proclamation of Cyrus points beyond exile toward return. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
2 Chronicles 7:12 2 Chronicles 36:15 2 Chronicles 36:22
Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication
2 Chronicles 6:12–42FocusWisdom, dedication, and royal glory
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The temple's construction and dedication stand at the center of the account of Solomon's reign.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of 2 Chronicles
Second Chronicles follows Solomon and the kings of Judah, emphasizing the temple, worship, and responses to prophetic warning. The closing proclamation of Cyrus points beyond exile toward return.
2 Chronicles 7:12 2 Chronicles 36:15 2 Chronicles 36:22
FocusWisdom, dedication, and royal glory
Connection to the wholeThe temple's construction and dedication stand at the center of the account of Solomon's reign.
interpretation Judah after the division
2 Chronicles 10:1–20:37FocusFaithfulness tested in leadership
Connection to the wholeThe early kings of Judah are portrayed through worship, conflict, reform, and responses to the LORD.
interpretation Successive kings and their choices
2 Chronicles 21:1–28:27FocusReform and rebellion
Connection to the wholeThe sequence of reigns repeatedly connects the kings' choices with the condition of the people and temple worship.
interpretation Hezekiah and Josiah's reforms
2 Chronicles 29:1–35:27FocusRestoring worship amid unfaithfulness
Connection to the wholeMajor reforms are set beside the sins of intervening reigns, preserving the tension between renewal and approaching judgment.
interpretation The end of the kingdom and Cyrus' decree
2 Chronicles 36:1–23FocusExile and permission to return
Connection to the wholeJerusalem's fall is explained in relation to rejected warnings, and Cyrus' proclamation opens the possibility of return and rebuilding.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.