1 Chronicles 7
In 2 Chronicles 7, after Solomon completed and dedicated the temple, the presence of God and the response to it are recorded, along with the covenant promises and warnings God gave to Solomon. This chapter highlights, in depth, the importance of the temple and the relationship between God and the people of Israel within it.
1verseOf the sons of Issachar: Tola, Puah, Jashub, and Shimron, four.
2verseThe sons of Tola: Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Ibsam, and Shemuel, heads of their fathers’ houses, of Tola; mighty men of valor in their generations. Their number in the days of David was twenty-two thousand six hundred.
3verseThe son of Uzzi: Izrahiah. The sons of Izrahiah: Michael, Obadiah, Joel, and Isshiah, five; all of them chief men.
4verseWith them, by their generations, after their fathers’ houses, were bands of the army for war, thirty-six thousand; for they had many wives and sons.
5verseTheir brothers among all the families of Issachar, mighty men of valor, listed in all by genealogy, were eighty-seven thousand.
6verseThe sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, and Jediael, three.
7verseThe sons of Bela: Ezbon, Uzzi, Uzziel, Jerimoth, and Iri, five; heads of fathers’ houses, mighty men of valor; and they were listed by genealogy twenty-two thousand thirty-four.
8verseThe sons of Becher: Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer, Elioenai, Omri, Jeremoth, Abijah, Anathoth, and Alemeth. All these were the sons of Becher.
9verseThey were listed by genealogy, after their generations, heads of their fathers’ houses, mighty men of valor, twenty thousand two hundred.
10verseThe son of Jediael: Bilhan. The sons of Bilhan: Jeush, Benjamin, Ehud, Chenaanah, Zethan, Tarshish, and Ahishahar.
11verseAll these were sons of Jediael, according to the heads of their fathers’ households, mighty men of valor, seventeen thousand two hundred, who were able to go out in the army for war.
12verseSo were Shuppim, Huppim, the sons of Ir, Hushim, and the sons of Aher.
13verseThe sons of Naphtali: Jahziel, Guni, Jezer, Shallum, and the sons of Bilhah.
14verseThe sons of Manasseh: Asriel, whom his concubine the Aramitess bore. She bore Machir the father of Gilead.
15verseMachir took a wife of Huppim and Shuppim, whose sister’s name was Maacah. The name of the second was Zelophehad; and Zelophehad had daughters.
16verseMaacah the wife of Machir bore a son, and she named him Peresh. The name of his brother was Sheresh; and his sons were Ulam and Rakem.
17verseThe sons of Ulam: Bedan. These were the sons of Gilead the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh.
18verseHis sister Hammolecheth bore Ishhod, Abiezer, and Mahlah.
19verseThe sons of Shemida were Ahian, Shechem, Likhi, and Aniam.
20verseThe sons of Ephraim: Shuthelah, Bered his son, Tahath his son, Eleadah his son, Tahath his son,
21verseZabad his son, Shuthelah his son, Ezer, and Elead, whom the men of Gath who were born in the land killed, because they came down to take away their livestock.
22verseEphraim their father mourned many days, and his brothers came to comfort him.
23verseHe went in to his wife, and she conceived and bore a son, and he named him Beriah, because there was trouble with his house.
24verseHis daughter was Sheerah, who built Beth Horon the lower and the upper, and Uzzen Sheerah.
25verseRephah was his son, Resheph his son, Telah his son, Tahan his son,
26verseLadan his son, Ammihud his son, Elishama his son,
27verseNun his son, and Joshua his son.
28verseTheir possessions and settlements were Bethel and its towns, and eastward Naaran, and westward Gezer with its towns; Shechem also and its towns, to Azzah and its towns;
29verseand by the borders of the children of Manasseh, Beth Shean and its towns, Taanach and its towns, Megiddo and its towns, and Dor and its towns. The children of Joseph the son of Israel lived in these.
30verseThe sons of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, and Beriah. Serah was their sister.
31verseThe sons of Beriah: Heber and Malchiel, who was the father of Birzaith.
32verseHeber became the father of Japhlet, Shomer, Hotham, and Shua their sister.
33verseThe sons of Japhlet: Pasach, Bimhal, and Ashvath. These are the children of Japhlet.
34verseThe sons of Shemer: Ahi, Rohgah, Jehubbah, and Aram.
35verseThe sons of Helem his brother: Zophah, Imna, Shelesh, and Amal.
36verseThe sons of Zophah: Suah, Harnepher, Shual, Beri, Imrah,
37verseBezer, Hod, Shamma, Shilshah, Ithran, and Beera.
38verseThe sons of Jether: Jephunneh, Pispa, and Ara.
39verseThe sons of Ulla: Arah, Hanniel, and Rizia.
40verseAll these were the children of Asher, heads of the fathers’ houses, choice and mighty men of valor, chief of the princes. The number of them listed by genealogy for service in war was twenty-six thousand men.
Temple Dedication and the Presence of God (Verses 1-3)
When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of God filled the temple. It was such a powerful presence that even the priests could not dare to enter the temple. The people prostrated themselves and gave glory to God. This shows Israel’s response to God’s absolute presence and grace.
Completion of the Festival and Dedication (Verses 4-10)
Solomon and all the people built the temple and the king’s palace, kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days, and celebrated the festival with joy. This was not just a ceremonial event; it means that gratitude and joy toward God overflowed among the people. The passage depicts a scene in which the entire nation of Israel enjoys God’s grace to the fullest.
God’s Reaffirmation, Promise, and Warning (Verses 11-22)
When Solomon finished building the temple, God appeared to him and spoke directly. God promises to choose the temple and respond to prayers. He also says that if “my people, who are called by my name” humble themselves and pray, He will heal that land and forgive them (verse 14). However, if they do not turn back and continue committing sin, He warns that both the temple and Israel could be rejected. This shows God’s love and justice together, along with the conditions of the covenant.
Points to Ponder
- A covenant with God: You can deeply reflect on the fact that God responds to the people’s prayers and humble hearts.
- The meaning of God’s presence: Just as Israel stood in the presence of God, let’s ask ourselves whether we too are approaching God with humble and reverent hearts.
- Obedience and responsibility: We need to remember that God’s blessings also come with responsibility.
Try Applying It to Yourself
- Let’s think about where the temple is in my life (the place where God’s presence is), and let’s adopt an attitude of coming to God humbly.
- In our faith life, let’s strive to hold God’s promises and warnings in a balanced way, and to make a life of prayer and repentance part of our everyday routines.
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