2 Chronicles 7:1

“Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, etc.] The prayer recorded in the preceding chapter: the fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; which was the token God gave of his acceptance of them, of which there had been several instances before, (<030924>Leviticus 9:24), (<111838>1 Kings 18:38 <132126>1 Chronicles 21:26), and the glory of the Lord filled the house; the glory of the Shechinah of the Lord, as the Targum, (see <110811>1 Kings 8:11).”

“GOD GIVES TESTIMONY TO SOLOMON'S PRAYER; THE PEOPLE WORSHIP. (Ch2 7:1-3) the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering--Every act of worship was accompanied by a sacrifice. The preternatural stream of fire kindled the mass of flesh, and was a token of the divine acceptance of Solomon's prayer (see on Lev 9:24; Kg1 18:38). the glory of the Lord filled the house--The cloud, which was the symbol of God's presence and majesty, filled the interior of the temple (Exo 40:35).”

“The fire came down from heaven - As in the time of Moses on the dedication of the tabernacle Leviticus 9:24 The fact is omitted from the narrative of Kings; but omission is not contradiction. return to 'Top of Page'”

“The fire &c. - In token of God's acceptance of his prayer. The surest evidence of God's acceptance of our prayers is the descent of his holy fire upon us. As a farther token that God accepted Solomon's prayer, the glory of the Lord filled the house; the heart that is filled with an holy awe and reverence of the divine glory, to which God manifests his greatness, and (which is no less his glory) his goodness, is thereby owned as a living temple. 2 Chronicles 7:3”

“7:1-3 When the Ark was brought to its place (see 5:13-14), the glorious presence of the Lord descended on the Temple. The divine glory remained in the Temple, preventing the priests from entering to perform their service (see “The Glory of God” Theme Note and “God’s Glory with His People” Theme Note).”

“when Solomon: Kg1 8:54-61; Isa 65:24; Dan 9:20; Act 4:31, Act 16:25, Act 16:26 the fire: Gen 15:17; Exo 29:43; Lev 9:24; Jdg 6:21; Kg1 18:24, Kg1 18:38; Ch1 21:26; Mal 3:1, Mal 3:2 the glory: Ch2 5:13, Ch2 5:14; Exo 40:34, Exo 40:35; Lev 9:23; Kg1 8:10, Kg1 8:11; Isa 6:1-4; Eze 10:3, Eze 10:4; Eze 43:5, Eze 44:4; Hag 2:7-9; Rev 21:23 2 Chronicles 7:2”

“The divine confirmation of the dedication of the temple. - Ch2 7:1-10. The consecration of the sacrificial service by fire from heaven ( Ch2 7:1-3), and the sacrifices and festival of the people ( Ch2 7:4-10). Ch2 7:1-3 At the conclusion of Solomon's prayer there fell fire from heaven, which devoured the burnt-offering and the thank-offering, and the glory of the Lord filled the house, so that the priests could not enter the house of Jahve. The assembled congregation, when they saw the fire and the glory of the Lord descend, bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped God to praise. Now since this narrative is not found in Kg1 8:54., and there a speech…”