This week, we shall begin the study
of 2 Chronicles of the Old Testament.
2 Chronicles 1-9
As previously mentioned, 1 & 2 Chronicles formed one unit in the Hebrew Bible. As 1 Chronicles ends with the history of David, 2 Chronicles begins with the history of Solomon in chapters 1-9. If we compare the description of Solomon’s reign in 1 Kings 1-11, we will notice that many events during the reign of Solomon have been omitted by the Chronicler, and in particular the following:
- Solomon’s succession to the throne as a result of Adonijah’s attempted usurpation of the throne (chs. 1-2);
- His marriage to the Egyptian princess (3:1);
- His wise judgment (3:16-28);
- His public administrators (4:1–34);
- The building of his palace (7:1-12);
- His idolatry and his adversaries (11:1-40).
However, the Chronicler supplements much about the building and consecration of the temple. Therefore, it appears that the Chronicler’s focus is on the process of the building and consecration of the temple which might be more relevant to his immediate audience the returnees from exile—who sought to re-establish a permanent worship in the rebuilt temple, hence the reference in 5:9, “These poles [of the ark] were so long that their ends, extending from the ark could be seen in front of the inner sanctuary…and they were still there today”.
(1) 1:1 acts a summary heading for the reign of Solomon:
a. What were the emphases the Chronicler wants us to know about the reign of Solomon?
b. Why?
(2) While 1 Kings 3:4 only mentions that Solomon offered a huge sacrifice on the altar, consider the following:
a. According to the Chronicler, what really happened? (v. 2)
b. While the Chronicler does not spell out what Solomon actually (spoke) to all Israel, how did Solomon’s action in offering the huge sacrifice at such a time (quite a few years after he took the reign from David) speak to them?
(3) Where did Solomon make his sacrifice to the Lord? Why? (vv. 3-6; see Note below)
(4) Both here and 1 Kings 3:5 makes it clear that God appeared to Solomon right at the place of the sacrifice (Gibeon).
a. What did Solomon’s action in Gibeon mean to the Lord?
b. What did the Lord offer Solomon as a result? (v. 7)
c. Was it really a gift or a test? Or both? Why?
(5) God has never asked any king of Israel such a question:
a. Do you think Solomon expected such an offer by God?
b. Was his answer something he dreamed up at the time or did it represent his heart’s desire? Why?
c. If you were asked the same question by the Lord today, what might your answer be?
(6) Solomon’s answer deserve our further reflection: (vv. 8-10)
a. How did Solomon look at his kingship? (v. 8)
b. He asked God to confirm His promise to David. What was the promise he referred to? (see a more detailed account of God’s promise to David in 2 Sam. 7:11-16)
c. Why did Solomon, of all things, ask for wisdom and knowledge only from the Lord? (v. 10)
(7) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
Note:
High places were places of sacrifice and prayer, and were built upon eminences of hills, because men thought they were nearer the Deity there. But Solomon’s high places were consecrated to the worship of YHWH, and essentially different from the high places of the Canaanites which were consecrated to Baal. Nevertheless, sacrificing upon these high places was still opposed to the law according to which the place which the Lord Himself had chosen for the revelation of His name was the only place where sacrifices were to be offered (Lev. 17:3ff). However, it was excused here on the ground that no house (temple) has yet been built to the name of the Lord. Note also that the Mosaic Tabernacle was in Gibeon at the time (1 Chr. 16:39; 21:29), but the ark, brought back by David to the City of David, was resting in the tent he built for it in Jerusalem (2 Sam. 6:16-17).
“Give me wisdom and knowledge that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?” (2 Chr. 1:10)
God said to Solomon, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you” (1:7). It reminds me of what Herod said to Herodias' daughter when he was so pleased with her: “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you” (Mk. 6:22). Of course, I am not comparing the Lord to this wicked king Herod, but it does show how pleased the Lord was with Solomon. Indeed, this is a Father’s heart, wanting to do all that He can for His beloved children!
Our natural question is: What did Solomon do that so pleased the Lord? The Bible has already given us the answer, “Solomon showed his love for the LORD by walking according to the instructions given him by his father David” (1 Ki. 3:3), and he backed it up with his amazing answer to this most generous offer by God: “Give me wisdom and knowledge that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?” (2 Chr. 1:10).
Indeed, he did not ask for longevity, wealth or the death of his enemies (1:11), but only for what was most needed to carry out the calling he received from the Lord—to govern God’s people, not his!
Solomon knew longevity, wealth or the stability of his kingdom was not something he needed to pursue or worry about. It was in God’s hands. But what was in his hands for which he would be held accountable was how he governed the people, and he also understood that it was not his people, but God’s. In other words, he knew that it was not really his kingdom, but God’s. Therefore, what he asked for and what he sought after first and foremost should be the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33). No wonder he was so pleasing to the Lord, and God responded with giving far more than what he asked for—wealth, possession and honor as well (1:12).
I wonder if the Lord asks you the same question today, what might your answer be? Food for thought!
(1) What did the Lord say Solomon’s request represented? (v. 11a)
(2) What did the Lord say the heart’s desire of a king normally was? (v. 11b)
(3) What is your heart’s desire today?
(4) Since Solomon’s heart was in the right place, what did God grant him?
(5) How did what God granted to him echo that which is granted in Matthew 6:33?
(6) Yesterday, we considered whether God’s offer to give whatever Solomon asked for was “a gift or a test”. What about this grant in v. 11?
a. Was it a gift or a test?
b. Or both? Why?
(7) After his sacrifice at Gibeon and his encounter with the Lord, Solomon went back to Jerusalem (v. 13) and 1 Kings 3:15 adds that he “stood before the ark of the Lord’s covenant and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then he gave a feast for all his court”. What might his action represent?
(8) Vv. 14-17:
a. What is this section about?
b. How does it confirm the summary heading of Solomon’s reign in 1:1?
c. Is it a good thing or a bad thing? Why?
(9) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
“…therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.” (2 Chr. 1:12)
It is obvious that Solomon’s heart was in such a right place that the Lord gave him far more than he wished for, and the Lord had kept His promise and “made him exceedingly great” (1:1).
However, we know that Solomon ended up giving in to sensual pleasures, causing him to turn “his heart after other gods and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God” (1 Ki. 11:4). We cannot help but ask: “Was such a reward by God a blessing or a curse?”.
I believe the following:
(1) We cannot and should not blame God for our own actions and the choices we make. As much as Solomon appeared to have fallen victim to his success and wealth, it was after all his own choice. Many other biblical characters had great wealth too, like Job and Abraham, but they maintained their full devotion the Lord.
(2) Indeed, success and wealth are always a “test” of our singular devotion to the one who blesses us in the first place. It is very easy to love the blessings instead of the Blesser—the Lord. This is why the wise author of this proverb asks this from the Lord instead:
“give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.” (Prov. 30:8-9)
In this sense, he is wiser than Solomon!
The account about the preparation by Solomon in building the temple is also recorded in 1 Kings 5:1-18. There are obvious differences in both accounts, but it only highlights the fact that both accounts have different foci and emphases, and in the case of Chronicles, it will be helpful to bear in mind the immediate audience being the returnees from exile who were being encouraged to fully re-establish a permanent worship of the Lord in the rebuilt temple.
2:1-10—Solomon Sought Help from Hiram, king of Tyre (which included Sidon)
(1) 1 Kings 5:1 gives us the occasion for Solomon to make his request to Hiram: What was the occasion?
(2) What was the basis on which Solomon now made his request? (v. 3)
(3) Now, Solomon gave the purpose of building a temple for the Lord (vv. 4-6):
a. Why did Solomon say that he was about to build a temple “for the Name of the Lord my God”? Why didn’t he simply say a temple of the Lord my God?
b. What was this temple dedicated to? (v. 4)
c. How then was it any different from any temple dedicated to the gods?
d. What reason did Solomon give in wanting to build such a lavish temple? (v. 5)
e. How did Solomon clarify the uniqueness of this temple? (v. 6)
f. In this clarification, how did Solomon “evangelize” king Hiram?
(4) Solomon’s request and promise (vv. 7-10)
a. What kind of a person did he request from King Hiram? (v. 7)
b. What materials did he require from King Hiram? (vv. 8-9)
c. What did he promise in return as compensations of the deal? (v. 10)
2:11-16—King Hiram’s Written Reply
(5) In his written reply, how did he address the God of Israel in his praise? (v. 12)
(6) Do you think it was simply out of political expediency? Why or why not?
(7) Whom did King Hiram send for this important job? Was his ethnic descent a coincidence? Why or why not?
(8) He had impressive skills (vv. 13-14): See if you can list all his skills. How would you call such a person?
2:17-18—Solomon’s Drafted Foreign Workers
(9) How did David make preparation in drafting foreign workers for this task? (1 Chr. 22:2)
(10) These were likely “descendants of the Canaanites who were not exterminated” (K&D, 584):
a. How would they feel about being “forced” into such labor?
b. Would they feel like the Hebrew slaves in the time of Egypt? Why or why not?
c. What if some of them had already adopted the God of Israel as their own?
(11) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
“Now let my lord send his servants the wheat and barley and the olive oil and wine he promised.” (2 Chr. 2:15)
Solomon was indeed a very wise king , but in my opinion, Hiram was also a very wise ruler as well.
By helping Solomon build the temple of the Lord, he had secured a huge international trade agreement. What he supplied Solomon was the natural resources from his land—the famed cedar of Lebanon—plus his craftsmen. In return, he received a huge supply of food and valuable goods in the finest oil. According to the account in 1 Kings 5:6, Solomon originally offered to pay Hiram’s men wages, but Hiram wisely refused to have Solomon pay his workers, thereby maintaining the loyalty of his people and bringing them still under his direct control. Also, with this alliance with Solomon, he secured the protection of this growing and powerful nation, and undoubtedly gained access to many important trade routes, both to Egypt and to the Euphrates.
However, the greatest benefit he got was the privilege of being used in the building of the temple of the One True God, Yahweh. It is likely that he gave praise to the God of Israel as the God who made heaven and earth (2:12) out of genuine belief and not out of political expediency.
It is helpful to read the dimensions, materials and furnishings of the temple with reference to the diagram below. Listed below are the main measurements in “feet” (1 cubit roughly = 1.5 feet).
3:1-7—The Main Structure of the Temple
(1) Where was the temple going to be located and why? (v. 1)
(2) What other significance does Mount Moriah have? (see Gen. 22:2-14)
(3) The specified measurements of the building and its parts are as follows (combining the details of 1 Ki. 6 and 2 Chr. 3):
|
|
Length |
Width |
Height |
|
Temple itself |
90’ |
30’ |
45’ |
|
The Portico |
20’ |
30’ |
45’ |
|
Side rooms-lower |
|
7.5’ |
7.5’ |
|
Side rooms-middle |
|
9’ |
7.5’ |
|
Side rooms-upper |
|
10.5’ |
7.5’ |
(4) What was the main kind of materials used to adorn the temple? (vv. 5-7) What might this indicate?
3:8-14—The Most Holy Place
|
|
Length |
Width |
Height |
|
Temple itself (v. 3) |
90’ |
30’ |
45’ |
|
The Main Hall (v. 4) |
60’ |
30’ |
45’ |
|
The Inner Sanctuary |
30’ |
30’ |
30’ |
(5) How much gold did Solomon use in constructing the Most Holy Place? (vv. 8-9)
(6) The two cherubim were 7.5’L x 15’W x 15’H: What is the significant symbol of these two cherubim? (see Gen. 3:24; Exod. 25:20; Isa. 37:16 and Heb. 9:5)
(7) What was the purpose of the curtain and what did it signify? (Exod. 26:33)
(8) When was the curtain of the Second Temple torn apart? What did it signify? (Lk. 23:45)
Vv.15-17—The bronze pillars of the porch—The measurement is 27’H x 18’ in circumference with the top capitals being 7.5’ H:
(9) See the detailed work that would go into their construction: Why should even the bronze pillars be so elaborately decorated?
(10) What is the message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
“Then Solomon began to build the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah where the Lord has appeared to his father David.” (2 Chr. 3:1)
The choice of Mount Moriah as the temple site was certainly most fitting in that it was the place the Lord chose to reveal His presence and delight to two of the most significant “fathers” of Israel with whom God made and/or renewed His covenant respectively. And, the two incidents also encapsulate the true spirit of worship.
Abraham was willing to offer his one and only son, Isaac on the altar to the Lord—an act of total surrender to God which is indeed the true spirit of worship (Gen. 22). The result was not only the appearance of the Lord to him through the Angel of the Lord, but the provision of a lamb on behalf of Isaac, which is a powerful foreshadow of the true Lamb of God, God’s only begotten Son, Jesus Christ who takes away the sin of the world (Jn. 1:29).
The Chronicler also reminds us that God revealed His presence and His acceptance of the offer by David in the very same place (1 Chr. 21:26), except that David’s act of worship was not because of his prior total surrender to Him, but his disobedience. However, God still fully accepted his worship because of his true contrition and the offer of his sacrifice. That, too, is a true spirit of worship.
Therefore the location of the temple powerfully reminded all the children of Israel that God would be there to a accept their worship and reveal His presence if they would come in the spirit of Abraham—of total surrender, or that of David—of true contrition.
But you may wonder, since the temple has been totally destroyed since A.D. 70, how and where can the children of God worship Him? To this question, because the Lord Jesus has come to offer the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of all humankind, He says, “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks” (Jn. 4:23).
In other words, the hearts of all who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior have become “Mount Moriah” in which God is delighted to reveal His presence and accept our daily worship, even at this very moment!
The Chronicler now describes the furnishing of Solomon’s temple in a summarized fashion (refer to the diagram of the temple). You may also wish to see the parallel but more detailed account in 1 Kings 7:23-26 and 38-50.
4:1-10—The Bronze altar, the Sea and the Basins
(1) The bronze altar is 30’ x 30’ x15’ while the Sea is 15’ in diameter and 7.5' high and 45’ in circumference (vv. 1-6)
a. What was the sea (or basin) used for? (See v. 6; Exod. 30:18ff)
b. What might be the symbolic significance of having 12 bulls supporting this sea used by the priests to prepare for service? (Note that bulls were the costliest animals used in sacrifice.)
c. What were the ten basins for? (v. 6)
(2) The golden lampstands (vv. 7-8)
a. How many were there? What was their practical function?
b. What is the significance of their symbolic function? (see Rev. 1:20; 2:5; Zech. 4:1-6)
(3) The courtyards (vv. 9-10)—When you compare the furnishings of the temple of old and the church buildings of today, one of the main difference is the lack of chairs or pews in the temple:
a. What does this speak to in the Old Testament’s concept of worship?
b. How would you respond today if people make an issue out of what type of chairs or pews are appropriate to the church?
4:11-22—The Other Furnishings
(4) Do you know how many years it took for Solomon to finish building the temple? (See 1 Ki. 6:38)
(5) Now that “Huram finished the work he had undertaken for King Solomon in the temple of God” (4:11), can you describe how he must have felt?
(6) The Bible points out that “All these things that Solomon made amounted to so much that the weight of the bronze could not be calculated” (4:18).
a. Do you think it really was worth the manpower, time and money in building and furnishing such a magnificent temple? (see Solomon’s own words in 2:5-6 and David’s words in 1 Chr. 22:4)
b. What might the returnees feel about their far-less glamorous “Second Temple”?
c. Upon reading the account of the Chronicler, should they be discouraged or thankful? Why?
d. What might be the message to them and to us today?
(7) What is the main message to you today, and how may you apply it to your life?
“The Sea stood on twelve bulls, three facing north, three facing west, three facing south and three facing east.” (2 Chr. 4:4)
As the Chronicler summarizes the furnishings of the temple, we notice that those within the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place were mainly made of gold. While those in the courtyard were mainly made with bronze, we should not overlook the significance of some of symbols prescribed for their construction of the latter. One of these important symbols is the 12 bulls used to support the bronze sea (or basin). Allow me to share with you the insight of Keil and Delitzsch in this respect:
“This vessel, which took the place of the laver in the tabernacle, was provided for the priests to wash themselves (2 Chr. 4:6), that is to say, that a supply of water might be kept in readiness to enable the priests to wash their hands and feet when they approached the altar to officiate, or were about to enter the Holy Place (Exod. 30:18ff.). There were no doubt taps by which the water required for this purpose was drawn off from the sea. The artistic form of the vessel corresponded to its sacred purpose. The rim of the basin, which rose upwards in the form of a lily, was intended to point to the holiness and loveliness of that life which issued from the sanctuary. The twelve oxen, on which it rested, pointed to the twelve tribes of Israel as a priestly nation, which cleansed itself here in the persons of its priests, to appear clean and holy before the Lord. Just as the number twelve unquestionably suggests the allusion to the twelve tribes of the covenant nation, so, in the choice of oxen or bullocks as supporters of the basin, it is impossible to overlook the significance of this selection of the first and highest of the sacrificial animals to represent the priestly service, especially if we compare the position of the lions on Solomon’s throne (ch. 10:20).”
(K&D, Vol. 3, 75)
(1) Since the temple was completed in the 8th month of Solomon’s 11th year of reign and he dedicated the temple in the 7th month (1 Ki. 6:38), how long did Solomon wait to dedicate the temple?
(2) What might be the reason for celebrating in the 7th month (see Num. 29)?
(3) Where was the ark moved from and where was it now re-united with the new dwelling of the Lord? (v. 5 and 3:1)
(4) The ark was separated from the Tabernacle since the time of Eli (1 Sam. 4:17) and it was not reunited with the Tabernacle even during the reigns of Saul and David. How did the people now celebrate its return to its proper dwelling place? (v. 6) How would you feel if you were one of the priests?
(5) What might be the reason for making mention of the protrusion of the poles of the ark and the assertion that “they are still there today”? (vv. 7-9) (“Today” means the time of the writing of Chronicles.)
(6) V. 10 states that “There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets”. If we take this statement at face value (and there is no reason not to), consider the following:
a. Does it matter that the urn of manna (Exod. 16:33), and Aaron’s budded staff (Num. 17:10) were missing from it? Why or why not?
b. What might be the message to the immediate audience of Chronicles—the returnees from exiles who were seeking to re-establish permanent worship at the “Second Temple”?
(7) It was a great celebration (vv. 11-14):
a. How does the Chronicler describe this massive celebration?
b. I think the songs sung were likely longer and with more words than just “He is good; His loves endures forever” which would likely be a “refrain” or theme of these praises:
- How fitting were these words for such an occasion?
- Can you echo this refrain in your heart today? Why or why not?
c. How did the Lord affirm His pleasure in dwelling in Solomon’s temple? (See also Deut. 4:11; 5:22ff; Exod. 40:34ff)
(8) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
“Then the temple of the Lord was filled with the cloud, and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the temple of God.” (2 Chr. 5:13-14)
The dedication of the temple was indeed a tremendous time of celebration for Solomon and his people. It was not only the first time the ark was reunited with its dwelling place since Eli’s sons took the ark away from the Tabernacle, but it was also the first time God signified His perpetual dwelling among Israel as their God through the building of a fixed structure, the temple.
We know that God did not ask for a temple, He only gave commands to Moses to build a tent for Him; and through the placing of the ark of the covenant in it, He signified His presence among them. Of course, the Lord did more than signify His presence, He often appeared in the cloud and filled the Tabernacle with His glory (e.g. Exod. 40:34-35; Lev. 9:23; Num. 14:10). However, since the time of Exodus which was 480 years ago (1 Ki. 6:1), such an appearance of the Lord upon His dwelling place, the Tabernacle, was nothing more than hearsay to the post-Exodus generations. Samuel did not have the privilege of seeing God’s glory; neither did Saul or David, not to mention Solomon.
But, at the dedication of the temple Solomon built for the Lord, and when all the people gathered to celebrate the return of the ark to this new temple, what they had heard, they saw with their own eyes: “Then the temple of the Lord was filled with the cloud, and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the temple of God” (5:13-14). No wonder Solomon was so touched by the Lord’s affirmation and uttered one of the greatest and longest prayer in the Bible (6:14-42).
We too, have heard and read about glory of the Lord, and one day, like Solomon, we shall see with our own eyes; and like Charles Gabriel, the hymn writer says,
“O that will be, glory for me, glory for me, glory for me;
When by His grace, I shall look on His face.
That will be glory, be glory for me!”
6:1-11—Solomon’s Declaration
(1) “Darkness” refers to the cloud which filled the temple:
a. When did God say He would dwell in a dark cloud? (See Exod. 19:9; 20:21; Deut. 4:11; 5:22ff)
b. How did Solomon interpret the magnificent appearance of the Lord in the cloud which filled the temple? (v. 1)
c. How did he respond to it? (v. 2)
(2) As God affirmed His presence and His delight, and before Solomon uttered his great prayer, he made a public acknowledgement to his people (vv. 3-10):
a. What were the two promises of God that he referred to? (vv. 5-6)
b. While God did not choose David to build the temple, what promise did God make to David in this respect? (vv. 7-9)
c. While God has kept His latter promise, what has Solomon done and what did he see as the significance of the temple he has just built for the Lord? (v. 11)
6:12-21—Prayer of Solomon—Part 1, Invocation
(3) Solomon’s adoration (vv. 14-15):
a. Who God is: How did he praise and adore God in v. 14?
b. In what way is God unlike any other gods? (vv. 14-15)
c. How did this opening adoration serve as a foundation to the rest of his supplication?
(4) Based on who God is and what He has done
a. What personal request did he make? (vv. 16-17)
b. Of all the things, why did he make this his first request?
(5) Solomon continued his adoration in v. 18
a. What was the context of this adoration?
b. What was the essence of this adoration?
(6) Based on this adoration, what did Solomon ask for in vv. 19-21 in a nutshell?
a. What is the relationship between the adoration in v. 18 and the petitions of vv. 19-21?
b. Based on his petitions in vv. 19-21, what was the primary function of the temple to Solomon? (See Isa. 56:7; Matt. 21:13)
c. Should it still be the primary function of a church (and its building) today? Why or why not?
(7) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
“LORD, the God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven or on earth...” (2 Chr. 6:14)
It is not unusual for Christians to come before God in prayer focusing on our needs or those of others whom we love. There is nothing wrong with it, after all, this is His throne of grace before which we approach, “so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Heb. 4:16).
However, the Psalmists have demonstrated to us time and again that this is not their usual way in approaching the Lord. Irrespective of how dire a situation they might be facing or how pressing a need they had in mind, they often opened their prayers with “adoration”, i.e. by praising God for who He is and what He has done.
This is very important for both our prayer-life and for our relationship with the Lord. If we learn to approach God first and foremost with our adoration:
- It will help our prayers be more God-centered and less self-centered;
- By recognizing who God is and remembering what He has done, even our seemingly dire situation will pale in comparison to His greatness;
- By adjusting our focus away from ourselves and fixing our eyes on who God is and what He has done, our prayers will likely be less dominated by fear or complaint and more likely be filled with confidence and even praise.
In other words, we are able to allow the Holy Spirit to lead us to petition or intercede “for God’s people in accordance with the will of God” (Rom. 8:27).
Solomon followed the example of David in this respect by opening his great prayer of dedication of the temple with praising God for who He is—the God who is unparalleled “in heaven or on earth” and is so great that “even the highest heaven cannot contain” Him (6:14, 18). He also praised God for what He has done—fulfilling His promise to David right before his eyes in making him king of Israel.
The unsurpassing greatness and faithfulness of God thus formed the basis of his great prayer of intercession for his people at the dedication of the temple, making his prayer more than just wishful thinking on his part, but solidly grounded in who God is and what He has done!