2 Chronicles 6:1-11

2 Chronicles 6:1-11

[1] Then said  Solomon,  The LORD  hath said  that he would dwell  in the thick darkness.  [2] But I have built  an house  of habitation  for thee, and a place  for thy dwelling  for ever.  [3] And the king  turned  his face,  and blessed  the whole congregation  of Israel:  and all the congregation  of Israel  stood.  [4] And he said,  Blessed  be the LORD  God  of Israel,  who hath with his hands  fulfilled  that which he spake  with his mouth  to my father  David,  saying,  [5] Since the day  that I brought forth  my people  out of the land  of Egypt  I chose  no city  among all the tribes  of Israel  to build  an house  in, that my name  might be there; neither chose  I any man  to be a ruler  over my people  Israel:  [6] But I have chosen  Jerusalem,  that my name  might be there; and have chosen  David  to be over my people  Israel.  [7] Now it was in the heart  of David  my father  to build  an house  for the name  of the LORD  God  of Israel.  [8] But the LORD  said  to David  my father,  Forasmuch as it was in thine heart  to build  an house  for my name,  thou didst well  in that it was in thine heart:  [9] Notwithstanding  thou shalt not build  the house;  but thy son  which shall come forth  out of thy loins,  he shall build  the house  for my name.  [10] The LORD  therefore hath performed  his word  that he hath spoken:  for I am risen up  in the room of David  my father,  and am set  on the throne  of Israel,  as the LORD  promised,  and have built  the house  for the name  of the LORD  God  of Israel.  [11] And in it  have I put  the ark,  wherein is the covenant  of the LORD,  that he made  with the children  of Israel. 

What does 2 Chronicles 6:1-11 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Solomon repeated some of the promises in the Davidic Covenant publicly. His completion of the temple fulfilled part of what God had promised. Complete fulfillment required Solomon"s continued faithfulness to God ( 1 Chronicles 28:9). Unfortunately, Solomon was not completely faithful, so some of those promises remained unfulfilled. Another Son of David would fulfill them later.
God had previously dwelt in the thick cloud on Mount Sinai ( Exodus 20:21), as well as among His people in the wilderness ( Exodus 40:34-35). This cloud again represented God"s presence among His people (cf. 2 Samuel 22:7-18; Psalm 97:2; et al.).
God"s choice of Jerusalem as His place of dwelling, and David as His vice-regent ( 2 Chronicles 6:6), would have encouraged the returned exiles. They were back in Jerusalem, and the descendants of David lived among them. God had commended David"s desire to glorify Himself ( 2 Chronicles 6:8), another incentive for Solomon"s hearers, for the restoration community, and for us.