Verses 1-10

CHAPTER 7:1-10 The Answer by Fire-the Sacrifices and the Feast

1. The answer by fire (7:1-3)

2. The sacrifices (7:4-7)

3. The feast of tabernacles (7:8-10)

A fuller manifestation of Jehovah’s favor and presence followed the great prayer of the king. First the cloud had appeared and now the fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the house. This is complementary to 1 Kings 8:63-64. Nothing is mentioned of this answer by fire upon the sacrifices in the book of Kings. And now all the children of Israel saw the fire and the glory of the Lord; and they bowed themselves and worshipped, praising the Lord and saying, as the Levites had said before, “He is good, for His mercy endureth forever.” So all Israel will see in a future day the glory of the Lord and the coming Lord in glory and worship Him (Zechariah 12:10). The house was dedicated by the King and all the people. (The Hebrew word used for dedicate is the word “channuka.” The Jews keep a feast called by that name.) The feast which followed was the feast of tabernacles. Its prophetic significance is mentioned in previous annotations.

Verses 11-22

4. The Second Vision

CHAPTER 7:11-22

1. All finished by Solomon (2 Chronicles 7:11)

2. The divine answer and the warning (2 Chronicles 7:12-22)

A second time the Lord appeared unto Solomon. At this time He did not say again “Ask what shall I give thee,” but He assured him that Solomon’s prayer had been heard and He had chosen the dedicated place for Himself. He graciously assures the king that if He has chastised His people by sending drought, locusts or pestilence and they humble themselves, and seek His face, turning away from their wicked ways, that He will forgive and heal their land. There can be no recovery apart from the conditions mentioned in these verses. His people who have failed must first humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn away from their evil ways. The warning given in verses 19-22 had passed into history and found its literal fulfillment.