God responded to Solomon's prayer with a special revelation. He promised to grant the petitions of the people, as Solomon had requested, if they manifested a true heart for Him (vv. 12-14). Verses 13 and 14 are a short summary of the message of Chronicles.
"This verse [v. 14] is of vital significance for the Chronicler's theology. Four avenues of repentance are mentioned that will lead God to forgive and restore. Each of these is taken up at appropriate places in the later narrative of Chronicles, often in connection with one of the remarkable interventions of God."16
God would establish Solomon's kingdom if he fully obeyed God's Word (vv. 17-18). However if Solomon proved unfaithful, the nation might go into exile and Israel's enemies might destroy the temple (vv. 19-22).
This passage shows how to avoid the consequences of disobedience: submit to God, pray, and repent (i.e., change direction, not just feeling; v. 14). This remedy is as applicable today as it was in postexilic Israel and in the days of Israel's monarchy. The promise that God would "heal their land"ties in with His earlier promise to bless the Israelites' land with rain and fertility if they obeyed His commandments (Deut. 28:11-12). God has not promised specifically to heal the land of other believers who obey Him. However, He has promised to bless generally those who do so (Ps. 1; Matt 6:33; Gal. 6:7-8; et al.).
