BEING A PART OF GOD’S HISTORY

Passage: 2 Chronicles 6:1-11

Key verse: 10

NIV

6 Then Solomon said, “The Lord has said that he would dwell in a dark cloud;(A) 2 I have built a magnificent temple for you, a place for you to dwell forever.(B)”

3 While the whole assembly of Israel was standing there, the king turned around and blessed them. 4 Then he said:

“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who with his hands has fulfilled what he promised with his mouth to my father David. For he said, 5 ‘Since the day I brought my people out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city in any tribe of Israel to have a temple built so that my Name might be there, nor have I chosen anyone to be ruler over my people Israel. 6 But now I have chosen Jerusalem(C) for my Name(D) to be there, and I have chosen David(E) to rule my people Israel.’

7 “My father David had it in his heart(F) to build a temple for the Name of the Lord, the God of Israel. 8 But the Lord said to my father David, ‘You did well to have it in your heart to build a temple for my Name. 9 Nevertheless, you are not the one to build the temple, but your son, your own flesh and blood—he is the one who will build the temple for my Name.’

10 “The Lord has kept the promise he made. I have succeeded David my father and now I sit on the throne of Israel, just as the Lord promised, and I have built the temple for the Name of the Lord, the God of Israel. 11 There I have placed the ark, in which is the covenant(G) of the Lord that he made with the people of Israel.”

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Solomon Blesses the People

6 (A)Then Solomon said, “The Lord has said that he would dwell in thick darkness. 2 But I have built you (B)an exalted house, a place for you to dwell in forever.” 3 Then the king turned around and blessed all the assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel stood. 4 And he said, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who with his hand has fulfilled what he promised with his mouth to David my father, saying, 5 ‘Since the day that I brought my people out of the land of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel in which to build a house, that my name might be there, and I chose no man as prince over my people Israel; 6 (C)but I have chosen Jerusalem that my name may be there, (D)and I have chosen David to be over my people Israel.’ 7 (E)Now it was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of the Lord, the God of Israel. 8 But the Lord said to David my father, ‘Whereas (F)it was in your heart to build a house for my name, you did well that it was in your heart. 9 Nevertheless, it is not you who shall build the house, but your son who shall be born to you shall build the house for my name.’ 10 Now the Lord has fulfilled his promise that he made. For I have risen in the place of David my father and sit on the throne of Israel, as the Lord promised, and I have built the house for the name of the Lord, the God of Israel. 11 And there I have set the ark, (G)in which is the covenant of the Lord that he made with the people of Israel.”

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

Solomon felt God's presence as he saw the cloud filling the temple (1). He built a magnificent temple for God. Nothing was spared to show His glory and honor. But Solomon also understood that completing the temple was not his achievement but the fulfillment of God’s promise (4).

God chose Israel as his people and led them out of Egypt with favor and blessing. However, they did not have a designated place to house the Ark of the Covenant and worship God. David eagerly desired to build a temple to bear God's name (8). God acknowledged his desire but told him his son Solomon would complete the project (1Ch 28:3). This way, Solomon carried on David’s legacy to build their family name as God’s chosen rulers for His people.

Solomon recognized the honor of building the temple in the name of the Lord. In fulfilling his promises with a good purpose and wisdom, God allowed Solomon to participate in the completion of the temple (10). Do you trust that God has carried on his work throughout history? Would you like to be a part of the work? Would you pray to find His will and what He wants you to do in our time?

Prayer: Father, you are the creator and in control of this world. You are working according to your plan. Please use me as your instrument, fulfilling your will.

One Word: God fulfills his promise