Text -- 2 Chronicles 7:1-6 (NET)

Solomon Dedicates the Temple

7:1 When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the Lord’s splendor filled the temple. 7:2 The priests were unable to enter the Lord’s temple because the Lord’s splendor filled the Lord’s temple. 7:3 When all the Israelites saw the fire come down and the Lord’s splendor over the temple, they got on their knees with their faces downward toward the pavement. They worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying, “Certainly he is good; certainly his loyal love endures!” 7:4 The king and all the people were presenting sacrifices to the Lord. 7:5 King Solomon sacrificed 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep. Then the king and all the people dedicated God’s temple. 7:6 The priests stood in their assigned spots, along with the Levites who had the musical instruments used for praising the Lord. (These were the ones King David made for giving thanks to the Lord and which were used by David when he offered praise, saying, “Certainly his loyal love endures.”) Opposite the Levites, the priests were blowing the trumpets, while all Israel stood there.

Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: 2Ch 7:1

¹ tn Or “the sky.” The Hebrew term שָׁמַיִם (shamayim) may be translated “heaven(s)” or “sky” depending on the context.

NET Notes: 2Ch 7:3

¹ tn The word “saying” is supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.

NET Notes: 2Ch 7:6

¹ tn Heb “and the priests were standing at their posts, and the Levites with the instruments of music of the Lord.”

² tn Heb “which David the king made to give thanks to the Lord, for lasting is his loyal love, when David praised by them.”

³ tn Heb “opposite them”; the referent (the Levites) has been specified in the translation for clarity.