Temple Dedication II Chronicles 6

II Chronicles 6:1-2 "Then said Solomon, The LORD hath said that he would dwell in the thick darkness. (Exodus 19:9;20:21) But I have built an house of habitation for thee, and a place for thy dwelling for ever."

That was Solomon's opening statement, then he turned to the people and recited some history about David and the promise the LORD made to him. Solomon later mentions this to the LORD.

v12 "And he stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands:"

It is important to notice the progression of this prayer. He is here standing before the people on a platform he made of brass. Then in the next verse he knelt down and spread forth his hands toward heaven.

After that Solomon seems to cover every instance of how Israel might sin but ask that if they turn back to the LORD and from their wicked ways that he forgive them. We will see the LORD's answer in the next chapter.

v22 "If a man sin against his neighbor..."
v24 "And if thy people Israel be put to the worse before the enemy..."
v26 "When the heaven is hut up, and there is no rain..."
v28 "If there be dearth in the land, if there be pestilence..."
v32 "Moreover concerning the strangers..."
v34 "If thy people go out to war..."
v37 "Yet if they bethink themselves in the land whither they are carried captive..."
v38 "If they return to thee with all their heart and with all their soul..."

v39 "Then hear thou from the heavens...and forgive thy people which have sinned against thee."

Solomon speaks of the various features of the LORD and himself in this chapter:
v3 his face, v4 LORD's mouth, v7 David's heart, v12 his hands, v13 his knees, v15 LORD's mouth, hand, v20 LORD's eyes, v20- LORD's name, Lord's ear and his dwelling place.

Solomon speaks of the elements: lack of rain, war, pestilence. He also speaks of the captivity. But most of all he speaks of sin, turning from sin by the people and forgiveness by the LORD. Solomon well understands the nature of the people he rules.

Psalm 107:28 "Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses."

Solomon dedicates the temple.