For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever

 2 Chronicles 19 &20

Jehoshaphat: He appointed judges in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah. He told them, “Consider carefully what you do, because you are not judging for mere mortals but for the Lord, who is with you whenever you give a verdict. Now let the fear of the Lord be on you. Judge carefully, for with the Lord our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.”

After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites[a] came to wage war against Jehoshaphat.

Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him. Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the Lord in the front of the new courtyard and said:

Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly. He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.

After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his[c] holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.”

As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another.

The fear of God came on all the surrounding kingdoms when they heard how the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.

Later, Jehoshaphat king of Judah made an alliance with Ahaziah king of Israel, whose ways were wicked. He agreed with him to construct a fleet of trading ships. After these were built at Ezion Geber, Eliezer son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you have made an alliance with Ahaziah, the Lord will destroy what you have made.” The ships were wrecked and were not able to set sail to trade.

Why?

The King Jehoshaphat relied on the Lord and prayed to the Lord for help with the whole of Juda, so the Lord helped Judah defeat the enemies.

Jehoshaphat made an alliance with Ahaziah, letting him lose much effort and blessing from the Lord.

For the battle is not ours, but God's. Even now there are many wars in our world. Keep in mind it is in the hands of the Lord.

How?

Only those who trust in the Lord and obey God's command can achieve peace and life.

Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah.

 2 Chronicles 20:1-12

Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Dead Sea. It is already in Hazezon Tamar” (that is, En Gedi). Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.

But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them. See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

Why?

King Jehoshaphat confessed he was weak and Judah couldn't face the war from Ammon, Moab, and Seir, He knew the solution was the Lord, so he prayed to the Lord and proclaimed a fast for all Judah.

How?

Under distress situations I know the Lord is my salvation and my hope, only the Lord can help me. Right now I am facing surgery tomorrow morning in the Hospital, I depend on the Lord too.

There is still one prophet through whom we can inquire of the Lord, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me

2 Chronicles 18:1-33

Now Jehoshaphat had great wealth and honor, and he allied himself with Ahab by marriage.

 So the king of Israel brought together the prophets—four hundred men—and asked them, “Shall we go to war against Ramoth Gilead, or shall I not?” “Go,” they answered, “for God will give it into the king’s hand.”

But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no longer a prophet of the Lord here whom we can inquire of?”

The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, “There is still one prophet through whom we can inquire of the Lord, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.”

“The king should not say such a thing,” Jehoshaphat replied

So the king of Israel called one of his officials and said, “Bring Micaiah son of Imlah at once.”

Now Zedekiah son of Kenaanah had made iron horns, and he declared, “This is what the Lord says: ‘With these you will gore the Arameans until they are destroyed.’”

But Micaiah said, “As surely as the Lord lives, I can tell him only what my God says.”

The king said to him, “How many times must I make you swear to tell me nothing but the truth in the name of the Lord?”  Then Micaiah answered, “I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd, and the Lord said, ‘These people have no master. Let each one go home in peace.’”

So now the Lord has put a deceiving spirit in the mouths of these prophets of yours. The Lord has decreed disaster for you.”

The king of Israel then ordered, “Take Micaiah and send him back to Amon the ruler of the city and to Joash the king’s son, and say, ‘This is what the king says: Put this fellow in prison and give him nothing but bread and water until I return safely.’”

Micaiah declared, “If you ever return safely, the Lord has not spoken through me.” Then he added, “Mark my words, all you people!”

But someone drew his bow at random and hit the king of Israel between the breastplate and the scale armor. The king told the chariot driver, “Wheel around and get me out of the fighting. I’ve been wounded.” All day long the battle raged, and the king of Israel propped himself up in his chariot facing the Arameans until evening. Then at sunset he died.

Why?

The Lord uses his servants to say words of the Lord, no one can deceive the Lord.

How 

To be a servant of the Lord say the truth only, do not be afraid of the authority of human beings, and this is hard to a real servant of the Lord. But I know the authority beyond anyone, so do not be afraid man.

The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David before him

2 Chronicles 17:1-19

Jehoshaphat his son succeeded him as king and strengthened himself against Israel

The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David before him. He did not consult the Baals but sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel.

His heart was devoted to the ways of the Lord; furthermore, he removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah.

In the third year of his reign he sent his officials Ben-Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel and Micaiah to teach in the towns of Judah. ... They taught throughout Judah, taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord; they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people.

The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah, so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat. Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute, and the Arabs brought him flocks: seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats.

Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful; he built forts and store cities in Judah and had large supplies in the towns of Judah. He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem.

Why?

Jehoshaphat followed the way of Asa and David so the Lord blessed him and Judah. He removed the high places and the Asherah pole from Judah. This is the action to show his heart following the Lord.

Because his heart is devoted to the Lord's ways, there was no war in his country.

How?

Can I remove any idea or though that the Lord doesn't like it. I need the reminder from the Lord and follow the way of the Lord.

Because you relied on the king of Aram and not on the Lord your God

2 Chronicles 16:1-14

At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him: “Because you relied on the king of Aram and not on the Lord your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand. Were not the Cushites and Libyans a mighty army with great numbers of chariots and horsemen? Yet when you relied on the Lord, he delivered them into your hand. For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.”

Asa was angry with the seer because of this; he was so enraged that he put him in prison. At the same time Asa brutally oppressed some of the people.

In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the Lord, but only from the physicians. Then in the forty-first year of his reign Asa died and rested with his ancestors. 

Why?

Asa had experienced the power and strength of the Lord to save him from war, but now he did not rely on the Lord but asked for help from Ben-Hadad, a foreigner.

A man could forget what he experienced in the grace of the Lord, so he died of disease.

How?

Trust in the Lord and honor the Holy Name of the Lord are the commands of the Lord in our whole life. I will rely on my God forever!

They entered into a covenant to seek the Lord, the God of their ancestors, with all their heart and soul

2 Chronicles 15:1-19

The Spirit of God came on Azariah son of Oded. He went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you. For a long time Israel was without the true God, without a priest to teach and without the law. But in their distress they turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him, and he was found by them. In those days it was not safe to travel about, for all the inhabitants of the lands were in great turmoil. One nation was being crushed by another and one city by another, because God was troubling them with every kind of distress. But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”

Large numbers had come over to him from Israel when they saw that the Lord his God was with him.

They entered into a covenant to seek the Lord, the God of their ancestors, with all their heart and soul. All who would not seek the Lord, the God of Israel, were to be put to death, whether small or great, man or woman. They took an oath to the Lord with loud acclamation, with shouting and with trumpets and horns. All Judah rejoiced about the oath because they had sworn it wholeheartedly. They sought God eagerly, and he was found by them. So the Lord gave them rest on every side.

King Asa also deposed his grandmother Maakah from her position as queen mother, because she had made a repulsive image for the worship of Asherah. Asa cut it down, broke it up and burned it in the Kidron Valley. Although he did not remove the high places from Israel, Asa’s heart was fully committed to the Lord all his life.

Why?

The Lord blesses the kingdom of Asa for he led Judah and his people made a covenant to seek the Lord.

Even some Israelites came over to Judah when they saw that the Lord his God was with them. Who is going with the Lord people can identify it.

Same as now, there are not safe to travel about, for all the inhabitants of the lands were in great turmoil. One nation was being crushed by another and one city by another, because God was troubling them with every kind of distress.

How?

This world is full of every kind of distress, I have to be aware keep walling with the Lord and obey God's commands.

Then Asa called to the Lord his God and said, “Lord, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty

2 Chronicles 14:1-25

 Asa his son succeeded him as king, and in his days the country was at peace for ten years. Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God. He removed the foreign altars and the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He commanded Judah to seek the Lord, the God of their ancestors, and to obey his laws and commands. He removed the high places and incense altars in every town in Judah, and the kingdom was at peace under him. He built up the fortified cities of Judah, since the land was at peace. No one was at war with him during those years, for the Lord gave him rest.

Then Asa called to the Lord his God and said, “Lord, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. Lord, you are our God; do not let mere mortals prevail against you.”

The Lord struck down the Cushites before Asa and Judah. The Cushites fled, and Asa and his army pursued them as far as Gerar. Such a great number of Cushites fell that they could not recover; they were crushed before the Lord and his forces. The men of Judah carried off a large amount of plunder.

Why?

Asa is a very good king in Israelite. He honored the name of the Lord and commanded Judah to seek the Lord, remove the incense altars, and obey the laws and commands of the Lord.

When Enemies came, Asa relied on the Lord and called to the Lord, so the lord helped Asa defeat the Cushites.

Our Lord helps the powerless against the mighty. No one like you can help us! Our Lord is almighty beyond anyone in the world.

How?

Obey the commands of the Lord is the beginning of blessing. Do not rely on myself or others, only the Lord is my shield and my stronghold.

The Israelites fled before Judah, and God delivered them into their hands

2 Chronicles 13:1-22

In the eighteenth year of the reign of Jeroboam, Abijah became king of Judah, and he reigned in Jerusalem three years. His mother’s name was Maakah, a daughter of Uriel of Gibeah.

Abijah stood on Mount Zemaraim, in the hill country of Ephraim, and said, “Jeroboam and all Israel, listen to me! 5 Don’t you know that the Lord, the God of Israel, has given the kingship of Israel to David and his descendants forever by a covenant of salt? Yet Jeroboam son of Nebat, an official of Solomon son of David, rebelled against his master. 

“And now you plan to resist the kingdom of the Lord, which is in the hands of David’s descendants. You are indeed a vast army and have with you the golden calves that Jeroboam made to be your gods. But didn’t you drive out the priests of the Lord, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and make priests of your own as the peoples of other lands do? Whoever comes to consecrate himself with a young bull and seven rams may become a priest of what are not gods.

Now Jeroboam had sent troops around to the rear, so that while he was in front of Judah the ambush was behind them. Judah turned and saw that they were being attacked at both front and rear. Then they cried out to the Lord. The priests blew their trumpets and the men of Judah raised the battle cry. At the sound of their battle cry, God routed Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah. The Israelites fled before Judah, and God delivered them into their hands.

Why?

Abijah is a good king who honors the Name of the Lord and defeats Jeroboam, but he reigned in Jerusalem for three years.

How?

Victory and to be a king depends on the hands of the Lord!

They may learn the difference between serving me and serving the kings of other lands

2 Chronicles 12:1-16

After Rehoboam’s position as king was established and he had become strong, he and all Israel with him abandoned the law of the Lord. Because they had been unfaithful to the Lord, Shishak king of Egypt attacked Jerusalem in the fifth year of King Rehoboam. With twelve hundred chariots sixty thousand horsemen and the innumerable troops of Libyans, Sukkites and Cushites that came with him from Egypt, he captured the fortified cities of Judah and came as far as Jerusalem.

Then the prophet Shemaiah came to Rehoboam and to the leaders of Judah who had assembled in Jerusalem for fear of Shishak, and he said to them, “This is what the Lord says, ‘You have abandoned me; therefore, I now abandon you to Shishak.’

The leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, “The Lord is just.”

When the Lord saw that they humbled themselves, this word of the Lord came to Shemaiah: “Since they have humbled themselves, I will not destroy them but will soon give them deliverance. My wrath will not be poured out on Jerusalem through Shishak. They will, however, become subject to him, so that they may learn the difference between serving me and serving the kings of other lands.”

When Shishak king of Egypt attacked Jerusalem, he carried off the treasures of the temple of the Lord and the treasures of the royal palace. He took everything, including the gold shields Solomon had made. So King Rehoboam made bronze shields to replace them and assigned these to the commanders of the guard on duty at the entrance to the royal palace.

Because Rehoboam humbled himself, the Lord’s anger turned from him, and he was not totally destroyed. Indeed, there was some good in Judah.

Why?

Because Rehoboam and all leaders had been unfaithful to the Lord, the Shishak king of Egypt attacked Jerusalem.

The Prophet Shemiah came to Rehoboam and warned the king and the leaders of Judah, they humbled themselves, so the wrath of the Lord did not pour on Jerusalem, but they became subject to him.

Serving the Lord and serving the kings of other lands are quite different.

How?

Serve the Lord is better than serve any others.

Do not go up to fight against your fellow Israelites. Go home

2 Chronicles 11:1-23

But this word of the Lord came to Shemaiah the man of God: “Say to Rehoboam son of Solomon king of Judah and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, ‘This is what the Lord says: Do not go up to fight against your fellow Israelites. Go home, every one of you, for this is my doing.’” So they obeyed the words of the Lord and turned back from marching against Jeroboam.

The Levites even abandoned their pasturelands and property and came to Judah and Jerusalem, because Jeroboam and his sons had rejected them as priests of the Lord.

Rehoboam appointed Abijah son of Maakah as crown prince among his brothers, in order to make him king. He acted wisely, dispersing some of his sons throughout the districts of Judah and Benjamin, and to all the fortified cities. He gave them abundant provisions and took many wives for them.

Why?

Israelites are divided into two parts, which is a sign of downfall. The Lord stopped Jeroboam from fighting against their fellow brothers Israelites.

The beginning of the division came from Jeroboam, who did not love the people of Israel.

Rehoboam did not put much effort into his nation but married many wives and women.

How?

Love makes people come together, hate and arrogance make people separate.

 

But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him

 2 Chronicles 10:1-1

But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him. He asked them, “What is your advice? How should we answer these people who say to me, ‘Lighten the yoke your father put on us’?”

The young men who had grown up with him replied, “The people have said to you, ‘Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but make our yoke lighter.’ Now tell them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist. My father laid on you a heavy yoke; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.’”

The king answered them harshly. Rejecting the advice of the elders, he followed the advice of the young men.

When all Israel saw that the king refused to listen to them, they answered the king: “What share do we have in David, what part in Jesse’s son? To your tents, Israel! Look after your own house, David!”

King Rehoboam sent out Adoniram, who was in charge of forced labor, but the Israelites stoned him to death. King Rehoboam, however, managed to get into his chariot and escape to Jerusalem. So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day.

Why?

Rehoboam did not have the heart of love so he listened to the young men who had grown with him. Then he lost the hearts of Israel, and the country divided into two parts, Juda and Israel.

Solomon did not teach his son to be a good king in Israel. So when Solomon is dead, his son becomes worse and selfish even more.

How?

A rich and abundant environment could induce people to forget the grace of the Lord and others' efforts.

The queen of Sheba heard of Solomon’s fame, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions

2 Chronicles 9:1-31

When the queen of Sheba heard of Solomon’s fame, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions. Arriving with a very great caravan—with camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones—she came to Solomon and talked with him about all she had on her mind. Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for him to explain to her. When the queen of Sheba saw the wisdom of Solomon, as well as the palace he had built, the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, the cupbearers in their robes and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the Lord, she was overwhelmed.

Then she gave the king 120 talents[b] of gold, large quantities of spices, and precious stones. There had never been such spices as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.

King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all she desired and asked for; he gave her more than she had brought to him. Then she left and returned with her retinue to her own country.

King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth. All the kings of the earth sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart. Year after year, everyone who came brought a gift—articles of silver and gold, and robes, weapons and spices, and horses and mules.

As for the other events of Solomon’s reign, from beginning to end, are they not written in the records of Nathan the prophet, in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite and in the visions of Iddo the seer concerning Jeroboam son of Nebat? Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years. Then he rested with his ancestors and was buried in the city of David his father. And Rehoboam his son succeeded him as king.

Why?

King Solomon had so much gold and was very wealthy compared to any king in Israel and other countries.

Wisdom and abundance are the characteristics of King Solomon.

After King Solomon no one king liked him, and they turned to other gods starting from Solomon.

How?

Wisdom and wealth are not everlasting properties, but easy turn into destruction and down fall.

Solomon brought Pharaoh’s daughter up from the City of David to the palace he had built for her

2 Chronicles 8:1-18

He rebuilt Upper Beth Horon and Lower Beth Horon as fortified cities, with walls and with gates and bars, as well as Baalath and all his store cities, and all the cities for his chariots and for his horses—whatever he desired to build in Jerusalem, in Lebanon and throughout all the territory he ruled.

There were still people left from the Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites (these people were not Israelites). Solomon conscripted the descendants of all these people remaining in the land—whom the Israelites had not destroyed—to serve as slave labor, as it is to this day. 

Solomon brought Pharaoh’s daughter up from the City of David to the palace he had built for her, for he said, “My wife must not live in the palace of David king of Israel, because the places the ark of the Lord has entered are holy.”

And Hiram sent him ships commanded by his own men, sailors who knew the sea. These, with Solomon’s men, sailed to Ophir and brought back four hundred and fifty talents[c] of gold, which they delivered to King Solomon.

Why?

Solomon began his downfall when he brought Pharao's daughter to Israel as his wife. 

The best living environment as Solomon is easy to let people down and think all day the dirty things. 

Rich and long life and peace let a man forget what is right and what is evil.

How?

Be aware of myself, although I am not rich and have labor things, all of this trouble is good to me. Let me don't forget to rely on the Lord.

He is good; his love endures forever.”

2 Chronicles 7:1-22

When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. 

When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the Lord above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying, He is good; his love endures forever.”

The priests took their positions, as did the Levites with the Lord’s musical instruments, which King David had made for praising the Lord and which were used when he gave thanks, saying, “His love endures forever.” Opposite the Levites, the priests blew their trumpets, and all the Israelites were standing.

So Solomon observed the festival at that time for seven days, and all Israel with him—a vast assembly, people from Lebo Hamath to the Wadi of Egypt. On the eighth day they held an assembly, for they had celebrated the dedication of the altar for seven days and the festival for seven days more. On the twenty-third day of the seventh month he sent the people to their homes, joyful and glad in heart for the good things the Lord had done for David and Solomon and for his people Israel.

the Lord appeared to him at night and said: “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a temple for sacrifices.

if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek 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. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.

As for you, if you walk before me faithfully as David your father did, and do all I command, and observe my decrees and laws, I will establish your royal throne, as I covenanted with David your father when I said, ‘You shall never fail to have a successor to rule over Israel.’

But if you turn away and forsake the decrees and commands I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them, then I will uproot Israel from my land, which I have given them, and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name. I will make it a byword and an object of ridicule among all peoples. This temple will become a heap of rubble.

Why?
The Lord showed King Solomon and gave command to him. If you walk before me faithfully as David your father id, but if you turn away and forsake the decrees and commands I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them, then...

Atlas: When Solomon got older, he forgot the command of the Lord and went off to serve other gods. So the temple became a heap of rubble, and the Israelites were captives in a foreign country.

How?

Remember the word of the Lord and walk before the Lord faithfully, not matter what the situation is, God is good, and his love endures forever.

Now, my God, may your eyes be open and your ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.

2 Chronicles 6:12-42 

He stood on the platform and then knelt down before the whole assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven. He said: “Lord, the God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven or on earth—you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way. You have kept your promise to your servant David my father; with your mouth you have promised and with your hand you have fulfilled it—as it is today.

But will God really dwell on earth with humans? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built! Yet, Lord my God, give attention to your servant’s prayer and his plea for mercy. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence. May your eyes be open toward this temple day and night, this place of which you said you would put your Name there. May you hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place. Hear the supplications of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place; and when you hear, forgive.

When anyone wrongs their neighbor and is required to take an oath and they come and swear the oath before your altar in this temple

When your people Israel have been defeated by an enemy because they have sinned against you and when they turn back and give praise to your name

When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you, and when they pray toward this place and give praise to your name and turn from their sin because you have afflicted them,

When famine or plague comes to the land, or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers, or when enemies besiege them in any of their cities, whatever disaster or disease may come, and when a prayer or plea is made by anyone among your people Israel—being aware of their afflictions and pains, and spreading out their hands toward this temple.

As for the foreigner who does not belong to your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of your great name and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm.

When they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin—and you become angry with them and give them over to the enemy, who takes them captive to a land far away or near.

if they have a change of heart in the land where they are held captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their captivity and say, ‘We have sinned, we have done wrong and acted wickedly’; and if they turn back to you with all their heart and soul in the land of their captivity where they were taken, and pray toward the land you gave their ancestors, toward the city you have chosen and toward the temple I have built for your Name; then from heaven, your dwelling place, hear their prayer and their pleas, and uphold their cause. And forgive your people, who have sinned against you.

Now, my God, may your eyes be open and your ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.

Why?

Solomon prayed to the Lord. 1)This Temple cannot compare to the dwelling place of the Lord. But Solomon prayed to the Lord in any situation when his people, the Israelites, returned their hearts and minds to the Lord and prayed to the Lord, that the Lord would listen to their prayers and forgive their sins.

Solomon confesses that this small temple can not be compared with the dwelling place of the Lord. 

How?

May my heart always walk in the way of the Lord arranged for me. May my heart be humble.   

But your son, your own flesh and blood—he is the one who will build the temple for my Name

 2 Chronicles 6:1-11

Then Solomon said, “The Lord has said that he would dwell in a dark cloud; I have built a magnificent temple for you, a place for you to dwell forever.”

Then he said: “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who with his hands has fulfilled what he promised with his mouth to my father David. For he said, ‘Since the day I brought my people out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city in any tribe of Israel to have a temple built so that my Name might be there, nor have I chosen anyone to be ruler over my people Israel. But now I have chosen Jerusalem for my Name to be there, and I have chosen David to rule my people Israel.’

Nevertheless, you are not the one to build the temple, but your son, your own flesh and blood—he is the one who will build the temple for my Name.’

“The Lord has kept the promise he made. I have succeeded David my father and now I sit on the throne of Israel, just as the Lord promised, and I have built the temple for the Name of the Lord, the God of Israel. There I have placed the ark, in which is the covenant of the Lord that he made with the people of Israel.”

Why?

The Lord said he would dwell in a dark cloud. but the Lord said Son of David, he is the one who will build the temple in God's Name. Solomon did it.

Actually, God won't dwell in a human-made Temple but dwell in the dark cloud, the universal.

Because of the prayer of Solomon and God's blessing the Spirit comes down in this Temple. But a few years later when Israelites turned away from the Lord, the Spirit of the Lord left this Temple.

Actually, the Lord is like to be with us, for we are God's creation. His love endure forever.

How?

The Lord is a Spirit, no physical Temple can be the house of the Lord.