God's 2nd Appearance to Solomon (1 Kings 9 & 2 Chron. 7:11-8:18)

There is about a 12 year gap between Solomon’s prayer in chapter 8 and the Lord’s 2nd appearance to Solomon (1 Kings 9: 1-10). After 12 years, God acknowledged He had heard Solomon’s prayer and supplication and consecrated the Temple Solomon had built. Find comfort here that God hears your prayers and just because you do not get an immediate answer does not mean that He has not heard.

God then restated the conditional promise to keep a king on the throne of Israel forever IF Solomon walked in God’s ways and kept His commands and statues(vs. 4-5). This is an important conditional promise; we have seen multiple times in 1st Kings. God then contrasted that promise with a warning of what would happen if they did not follow His ways and followed other gods instead. He told Solomon He would cut off Israel, they would be driven out of their land, and the Temple would be destroyed (vs. 6-9).

God knew they would follow other gods and not faithfully walk in His ways, so he promised mercy and grace for Israel’s repentance in 2 Chron. 7:14: “if my people who are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray, and see My face and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Hiram, the King of Tyre who provided Solomon timber in chapter 5 was not pleased with the cities Solomon gave him (vs. 13-14); however, his sailors still sailed with Solomon’s (vs. 27). This chapter also includes descriptions of Solomon’s wealth—which was promised by the Lord in chapter 3. Solomon built a house for Pharaoh’s daughter (2 Chronicles 8:11), his wealth and slave laborers are described in vs. 15-23.

Question to Ponder: When Solomon obeyed the Lord, kept His commands and walked in His ways, the Lord made him the wealthiest king on earth. NOTE the word “sin” in 2 Chronicles 7:14 is singular, ONE sin - idolatry. What in your life is taking the focus from God, keeping you from walking with Him? If your life is consumed with anything that results in you following it rather than the Lord, that “it” is an idol. What are some examples of these idols?