II Chronicles 6

King Solomon stands on the scaffold in the midst of the Temple court yard. He kneels, spreads his hands toward heaven and prayed. Was it a prayer of praise? Did he make requests?

First, he acknowledged his God. That He was like none other: a covenant keeper and merciful to His servants who walked before Him in obedience with all their heart. He acknowledged that God kept His promise that He made to David.

Second, he asked God to verify this promise. That He would dwell among His people on earth. He ask for this verification because he knew nothing man-made could contain the Presence of God.

Next, he asked God to listen to the prayers and supplications made by him (Solomon) and the people in and toward the House of God. He asked that he hear them and forgive them if they repent. King Solomon listed all the offences he could think of that Israel could committ against each other and against God. He covered captivity, no rain, pestilence, famine, locusts or plagues because these are things God used to punish Israel when they sinned against him in the past. He asked God to forgive Israel of each offence if they truly repented, confessed and turned from their sin. Solomon was wise enough to know, some would give lip service. He asked God to hear and judge them ” according to their ways whose hearts you know.”

Now this is the part I really like. Up to this point it is about the behavior of the children of Israel. Verse 33 makes the prayer inclusive to non-Israelites. Regarding the foreigner who is not of Israel but has come because of your great name and pray, hear him. Why? So that all peoples of the earth may know your name and worship you as Israel does. And that they may know this house is called by Your Name. That includes people like me in the prayer if I fulfill the conditions. Solomon completes the prayer with asking God “to come to His resting place, You and the Ark of your strength and power. Let your priests be clothe with salvation and let your godly ones rejoice in your goodness. O Lord God, do not turn away and reject the face of your anointed; remember Your lovingkindness and faithfulness to Your servant David.”

When Solomon finished praying, the fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offerings and sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the House. There was such power in His Presence that the priests could not enter God’s House. When the people witnessed this, they bowed with their faces to the ground and worshipped (prostrate) and praised with outstretched hands. The King and all the people offered sacrifices, burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace offerings. There was so much that he had to use the scaffold on which he had been standing for the sacrifices because the brazen altar was not able to accommodate it all. Then they feasted for seven days.

2 Chronicles 7:10 (NKJV)
¹⁰  On the twenty-third day of the seventh month he sent the people away to their tents, joyful and glad of heart for the good that the LORD had done for David, for Solomon, and for His people Israel.

In my minds eye, I see the multitudes going home recounting all that had transpired. The House of God in its magnificence was completed. The Presence of God was evident and they were witnesses to His coming. They watched their King humble himself before the Lord and them. He is one of us, they might have said. My western sensibilities would have been acutely aware of the smell of slaughtered and burnt animals that were sacrificed. Solomon on the other hand, I imagine, stood in the courtyard and watched the people leave. Then his attention turned to the House of God and His Presence. Oh how awe-some the feeling must have been.

Then God appeared.