Day 114 · Part 7: The Kingdom

The Temple (3 of 3)

2 Chr 4–7 · 100 verses

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In the Story

Chapter 18: The TempleStart at “Bronze and gold”

In context

2 Chronicles tells the dedication again, with more about its music. When the Levite singers of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun, with 120 priests blowing trumpets, sang “as one,” praising the Lord, “For he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever,” the cloud filled the house (2 Chronicles 5:11–14). Psalm 136 opens with the same words (Psalm 136:1). The bronze Sea here holds three thousand baths, where 1 Kings says two thousand (2 Chronicles 4:5; 1 Kings 7:26).

Solomon kneels on a bronze platform to pray (2 Chronicles 6:13), and his prayer here ends with words much like Psalm 132: “Now therefore arise, Yahweh God, into your resting place, you, and the ark of your strength” (6:41; Psalm 132:8). When he finishes, fire comes down from heaven on the offerings, and all Israel bows with their faces to the ground (2 Chronicles 7:1–3).

Then the Lord appears to Solomon by night and answers, “I have heard your prayer” (7:11–12). He promises to hear his people when they humble themselves and pray, and warns that if they turn to other gods, this house will become “a proverb and a byword among all peoples” (7:13–22).

A word of hope

if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14 · This is the Lord’s answer, given at night, to Solomon’s prayer for times of drought, locusts and sickness (2 Chronicles 6:26–28).

In the Bible

World English Bible, as published by eBible.org (public domain).

A hymn for today

Sweet Hour of Prayer · words by William W. Walford

Organ and orchestra: an introduction, then each of the 3 verses. Tap a verse’s number to start there.

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!That calls me from a world of care,And bids me at my Father's throneMake all my wants and wishes known;In seasons of distress and grief,My soul has often found relief,And oft escaped the tempter's snareBy thy return, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!Thy wings shall my petition bearTo Him whose truth and faithfulnessEngage the waiting soul to bless;And since He bids me seek His face,Believe His word and trust His grace,I'll cast on Him my every care,And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!May I thy consolation share,Till, from Mount Pisgah's lofty height,I view my home and take my flight:This robe of flesh I'll drop, and riseTo seize the everlasting prize;And shout, while passing through the air,Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!