Bible Commentaries

2 Chronicles 7:9. And the feast seven days— That is, emphatically, the feast of tabernacles.

2 Chronicles 7:10. Glad and merry in heart for the goodness, &c.— That is, according to the Targum, "for the goodness of the Lord shewn unto David, in opening the doors of the sanctuary; and unto Solomon, whose prayer God had accepted, and had honoured him with his presence in the house that he had built; and unto his people Israel, in his acceptance of their sacrifices, and sending down fire from heaven to consume them."

REFLECTIONS.—1st, A glorious answer was given to Solomon's fervent prayer. Fire from heaven, either distinct from the former, or issuing from the cloud which had filled the house, consumed the sacrifices. Struck with the awful sight, the people reverentially bowed and worshipped, and, regarding it as a token of God's especial favour, adored his goodness and never-ending mercy. A vast multitude of sacrifices fed this sacred fire, which was maintained continually. The priests and Levites with diligence and zeal discharged their offices; the singers, with the psalms and instruments that David appointed, set forth God's praises; the people with delight and joy feasted before the Lord fourteen days; and Solomon enjoyed the peculiar satisfaction of seeing the labours of his hands accepted and prosperous; an encouragement never to be weary of serving so great and good a master. Note; (1.) The fire which once broke forth on Jesus our sacrifice, though terrible to behold, speaks God now reconciled to believing sinners, as having taken one for all. (2.) When God has kindled the fire of divine love in our hearts, it becomes us to feed it with the continual sacrifices of prayer and praise; and whilst it is thus kept burning, we may be assured that our sacrifice is accepted. (3.) A sinner, conscious of his deserts, is ashamed and confounded before a holy God. (4.) We can never be in any situation, in which praise is not our bounden duty. As long as we are out of hell, we must ever say, He is good, for his mercy endureth for ever. (5.) They who delight in God's worship, will never count the time long which they spend in his service. (6.) All our prosperity in our undertakings must be ascribed wholly to the divine blessing; and when we make God's glory our first concern, we may confidently expect it.

2nd, God's second gracious visit to Solomon we had before, 1 Kings 9. The Almighty expressly grants all the particulars that he had prayed for. Whenever the people, according as he had spoken, should return in penitence and prayer, their sin should immediately be pardoned, and their sufferings removed. He consents to make this house his abode for ever, and to establish his kingdom to the later posterity, provided he approved himself faithful; but warns him withal, that if he or they (as it was too possible, and they were too prone to do,) should turn aside after other gods, and be unfaithful in his covenant, then they might expect no protection from this temple, their land should be wasted, the people destroyed, the sanctuary made desolate, and such terrible judgments overtake them, as should astonish their heathen neighbours, and even make them reflect with just reproach on their apostacy. Note; (1.) If God is so gracious, let us beware not to anger him. The heart of man is deceitful and desperately wicked, and we had need fear for ourselves continually. (2.) Whenever God engages the heart in humiliation to return to him, it is a sign that there is still mercy in store.