2 Chronicles 6:1-11--Solomon Blesses the People

2 Chronicles 6:1-11
English Standard Version

Solomon Blesses the People
6 Then Solomon said, “The LORD has said that he would dwell in thick darkness. 2 But I have built you 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 but I have chosen Jerusalem that my name may be there, and I have chosen David to be over my people Israel.’ 7 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 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, in which is the covenant of the LORD that he made with the people of Israel.”

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Once the Temple had been completed, the priests and Levites had assumed their duties and the LORD's Presence filled the Temple to show that He chose to live there and accepted their sacrifices, Solomon thanked the LORD for choosing to live among them when He could have easily chosen instead to conceal Himself from the people.

With that taken care of, King Solomon then turned his attention towards the people that were there and led them in prayer and worship by reminding them that this the LORD who brought them up out of the land of Egypt, and made a covenant not only with Moses, but also with David that He would build a "house" (a dynasty) for David, but David's son would build a house (the Temple) for Him and His Name.  Now the word of the LORD has been accomplished just as He said.  He has chosen Jerusalem to be the City of the Great King (not just the City of David, but the city from which Messiah will reign), and the place where all the people of the world will gather together to worship Him.  It is also the place He chose for His Son to come and die and make substitutionary atonement for all those who would repent and believe by faith.

Solomon knows that he is the first part of the fulfillment of both promises--that he is the first in the line of many sons of David that will be king over the LORD's people, but he also knows there is one greater than himself who is coming.  I'm not sure if Solomon realized that Messiah would build an even better Temple, but as we mentioned partially yesterday, we today are temples of the Holy Spirit and one day when the Bride of Christ is all gathered together, we will be the heavenly Temple--the New Jerusalem, that will be even more magnificent than Solomon's Temple.  Somehow it will be both a city with dimensions and structure and a people.  A place prepared for His people, and the people He has prepared for that place.  We look forward to the ultimate fulfillment of the Davidic covenant when Jesus will be seated on the throne of David in Jerusalem as King of Kings and Lord of Lords and will also be our Great High Priest in the heavenly temple.