Question 1

What does it mean that God chose the temple as a house of sacrifice?

Accepted Answer

When God says He has chosen the temple as a house of sacrifice, He is confirming that this is the place where Israel is to bring their offerings and seek Him. Sacrifices there were a sign of repentance, worship, and trust in God’s mercy. God is not saying He lives only in that building, but that He has set it apart to be the main public place where the people meet with Him, pray, and receive assurance that He hears and forgives when they come in humility.

Question 2

What does “if my people who are called by my name” teach about repentance?

Accepted Answer

The words “if my people who are called by my name” show that God is speaking to His own people, not to strangers. He lays out a clear path when they face His discipline through drought, locusts, or sickness. They are to humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways. This is more than saying sorry. It means admitting their pride, crying out to God, longing for Him Himself, and changing their behavior. God promises that when they do this, He will hear, forgive, and bring healing.

Question 3

Why does God connect national troubles with sin in this passage?

Accepted Answer

In this passage, God speaks of shutting up the heavens so there is no rain, sending locusts, or sending pestilence among His people. These are pictured as covenant warnings, not random events. They show that when Israel breaks God’s commands and turns to other gods, He responds in a way that calls them back. The troubles are meant to wake them up to their sin. But they are not the end of the story. God also gives a way back: humble prayer, seeking His face, and turning from sin, with the promise of forgiveness and healing.

Question 4

What was God’s promise to Solomon about his throne and kingdom?

Accepted Answer

God tells Solomon that if he walks before Him as David did, obeying God’s commands and keeping His statutes and judgments, then God will establish Solomon’s throne. This means his royal line would continue and there would not fail to be a ruler from his family over Israel. The promise is warm, but it is also conditional. It depends on Solomon’s faithfulness and the faithfulness of those who come after him. If they stay close to God and His ways, their kingdom will be stable and secure under God’s blessing.

Question 5

Why does God warn about serving other gods and the temple becoming a byword?

Accepted Answer

God warns that if Solomon and the people turn away, forsake His commands, and serve other gods, He will uproot them from the land He gave them and reject the temple they took pride in. The house that was high and honored would become a proverb and a byword, something people point at in shock. Passersby would ask why the LORD did this, and the answer would be clear: because they forsook the God who brought them out of Egypt and clung to other gods. The warning shows how serious idolatry is in God’s eyes.

Question 6

What does this passage teach about God hearing prayer in the temple?

Accepted Answer

God says His eyes will be open and His ears attentive to the prayer offered in the temple. This means He is especially ready to notice and respond to the prayers made there, especially prayers of repentance that match what He has described. It ties back to Solomon’s earlier prayer about disasters and sin. The point is not that God can only hear in one building, but that He has kindly set a public place where His people can gather, seek His face, and know He has promised to listen, forgive, and restore.

Question 7

How does God’s promise to heal the land relate to forgiveness of sin?

Accepted Answer

God links healing of the land directly to forgiveness. He says that when His people humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways, He will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. First comes forgiving their guilt, then comes relief from the troubles on their fields and homes. The idea is that when the relationship with God is repaired, the outward troubles that came as discipline can also be lifted. Healing is not just about crops and rain, but about God’s favor returning to His people.

Question 8

What was happening when God appeared to Solomon at night?

Accepted Answer

God appeared to Solomon at night after the temple had been finished and dedicated. Solomon had prayed a long and serious prayer, asking God to hear Israel whenever they turned back to Him in times of trouble. Fire had already come down from heaven to consume the sacrifices, showing God’s acceptance. In the night appearance, God answers Solomon’s requests, confirms that He has chosen the temple, and clearly sets out both His gracious promises and His warnings. It is a private word to the king that explains what the public signs meant.

Question 9

What does this passage show about God’s character toward His people?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows God as both gracious and holy. He is willing to choose a place where He will meet with His people. He promises to hear, forgive, and heal when they humble themselves and turn from sin. His eyes and heart are said to be on the temple, which shows His care. At the same time, He is not indifferent to disobedience. He warns that turning to other gods will bring severe judgment, even on the temple they treasure. So we see a God who loves to forgive, but who also takes sin and loyalty to Him very seriously.

2 Chronicles 7:11

Thus Solomon finished the house of the Lord, and the king’s house: and all that came into Solomon’s heart to make in the house of the Lord, and in his own house, he prosperously effected.

The LORD’s Response to Solomon

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2 Chronicles 7:11

Thus Solomon finished the house of the Lord, and the king’s house: and all that came into Solomon’s heart to make in the house of the Lord, and in his own house, he prosperously effected.

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The LORD’s Response to Solomon

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