c. Solomon dedicates the temple (5:2-7:10)

Solomon summons the leaders to bring the ark to the temple. All Israel joins the celebration. While the assembly offers innumerable sacrifices, the Levites carry the ark, the tabernacle, and the furnishings. The Levites place the ark in the Most Holy Place. The priests withdraw, and the appointed musicians lead the worship with the refrain “He is good; his love endures forever.” The Lord responds, as at the tabernacle dedication, by filling the place with his overwhelming presence (Ex 40:34). The ministers are unable to perform their tasks because of God’s glory.

Ch. 6 records Solomon’s dedication prayer. Solomon evaluates the Lord’s splendid house and blesses the assembly by reviewing God’s role in their history. God chose Jerusalem and David’s family. During the monarchy, the Lord breaks with earlier tradition and chooses the temple site and Davidic builder. This moment of dedication constitutes the final realization of God’s promise to David (vv.10-11).

Solomon lauds God’s incomparable faithfulness to his word (6:14-15). The Lord, who honors obedient servants, has now fulfilled his promise to David regarding the temple. The king asks God to keep his promise of David’s house in light of human obedience (vv.16-17). The conditional nature of God’s vow provides an appropriate call to obedience for every generation of God’s people.

The temple is an inadequate house for God, whom the heavens cannot contain (6:18-21). The king, however, asks that the Lord would focus his attention on this place for the sake of those who will direct prayers toward it. Solomon illustrates this general request by various scenarios that call for God’s forgiving response to penitential prayer (6:22-39).

Solomon asks the Supreme Judge to decide between adversaries to clear the innocent and punish the guilty person (6:22-23). When Israel is exiled, Solomon asks God to forgive the people and to return them to the land (vv.24-25). The chronicler’s audience was not far removed from this experience.

Disobedience might bring drought (6:26-27). In response to prayer God will give rain and instruction for living. A variety of other disasters may come upon the nation from an offended God (vv.28-31). Solomon asks the Lord to deal with each person on the basis of individual actions and motives. Judgment and forgiveness will motivate the people to future obedience.

Solomon asks the Lord to include non-Israelites who might pray toward the temple in the circle of his concern (6:32-33). The king also recognizes that foreign relations will not always be friendly. He asks God to make Israel victorious in war (vv.34-35).

Finally, Solomon clarifies the problem underlying the other cases (6:36-39). The people will not obey God perfectly. When they sin, God will send them into exile. They will have a change of heart and pray for forgiveness toward the land, city, and temple, which the Lord gave to them. He asks God to listen to this exilic plea.

Solomon’s final benediction, 6:40-42, renews the call for the Lord to heed prayers offered at the temple. The writer adapts a canonical Song of Ascents, which relates two themes significant in Chronicles—David’s desire for the Lord’s house and the Lord’s promise of David’s house (Ps 132:8-10). The ark has come to its place of rest in fulfillment of the first promise. Solomon ends his prayer by asking God to fulfill the second vow and establish the dynasty.

Human and divine participants are active in the dedication ceremony. The Lord accepts the house by devouring the sacrifices with heavenly fire and filling the temple with his glory (7:1). This event recalls David’s acquisition of the temple site and parallels the inauguration of tabernacle and the beginning of the priests' ministry (Lev 9:23-24). Again the priests cannot carry out their appointed functions because of the Lord’s overwhelming presence (2Ch 5:14). The people respond with a familiar thanksgiving refrain (7:3).

The king and people consecrate the temple with myriad sacrifices. Professional singers and musicians accompany the worship. The theme of God’s eternal love for his people is prominent when God reveals his presence, such as the inauguration of the central place of worship. After a lengthy celebration, Solomon sends the people home rejoicing over God’s good deeds. The chronicler, in contrast to 1Ki 8:66, includes Solomon in 7:10 to draw attention to the continuity of events between David and Solomon in building the temple and reestablishing the monarchy.