mh_parser/vol_split/14 - 2Chronicles/Chapter 6.xml

<div2 id="iiCh.vii" n="vii" next="iiCh.viii" prev="iiCh.vi" progress="80.57%" title="Chapter VI">
<h2 id="iiCh.vii-p0.1">S E C O N D   C H R O N I C L E
S</h2>
<h3 id="iiCh.vii-p0.2">CHAP. VI.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iiCh.vii-p1">The glory of the Lord, in the vehicle of a thick
cloud, having filled the house which Solomon built, by which God
manifested his presence there, he immediately improves the
opportunity, and addresses God, as a God now, in a peculiar manner,
nigh at hand. I. He makes a solemn declaration of his intention in
building this house, to the satisfaction of the people and the
honour of God, both of whom he blessed, <scripRef id="iiCh.vii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.6.1-2Chr.6.11" parsed="|2Chr|6|1|6|11" passage="2Ch 6:1-11">ver. 1-11</scripRef>. II. He makes a solemn prayer to
God that he would please graciously to accept and answer all the
prayers that should be made in, or towards, that house, <scripRef id="iiCh.vii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.6.12-2Chr.6.42" parsed="|2Chr|6|12|6|42" passage="2Ch 6:12-42">ver. 12-42</scripRef>. This whole chapter we
had before, with very little variation (<scripRef id="iiCh.vii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.8.12-1Kgs.8.53" parsed="|1Kgs|8|12|8|53" passage="1Ki 8:12-53">1 Kings viii. 12-53</scripRef>), to which it may not
be amiss here to look back.</p>
<scripCom id="iiCh.vii-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.6" parsed="|2Chr|6|0|0|0" passage="2Ch 6" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iiCh.vii-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.6.1-2Chr.6.11" parsed="|2Chr|6|1|6|11" passage="2Ch 6:1-11" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Chr.6.1-2Chr.6.11">
<h4 id="iiCh.vii-p1.6">Solomon's Prayer to God. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.vii-p1.7">b. c.</span> 1004.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiCh.vii-p2">1 Then said Solomon, The <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.vii-p2.1">Lord</span> hath said that he would dwell in the thick
darkness.   2 But I have built a 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
<i>be</i> the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.vii-p2.2">Lord</span> God of Israel,
who hath with his hands fulfilled <i>that</i> 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 a 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 a
house for the name of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.vii-p2.3">Lord</span> God
of Israel.   8 But the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.vii-p2.4">Lord</span>
said to David my father, Forasmuch as it was in thine heart to
build a 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 <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.vii-p2.5">Lord</span> 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 <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.vii-p2.6">Lord</span> promised, and have built the house for the
name of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.vii-p2.7">Lord</span> God of Israel.
  11 And in it have I put the ark, wherein <i>is</i> the
covenant of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.vii-p2.8">Lord</span>, that he made
with the children of Israel.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.vii-p3">It is of great consequence, in all our
religious actions, that we design well, and that our eye be single.
If Solomon had built this temple in the pride of his heart, as
Ahasuerus made his feast, only to <i>show the riches of his kingdom
and the honour of his majesty,</i> it would not have turned at all
to his account. But here he declares upon what inducements he
undertook it, and they are such as not only justify, but magnify,
the undertaking. 1. He did it for the glory and honour of God; this
was his highest and ultimate end in it. It was <i>for the name of
the Lord God of Israel</i> (<scripRef id="iiCh.vii-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.6.10" parsed="|2Chr|6|10|0|0" passage="2Ch 6:10"><i>v.</i>
10</scripRef>), to be <i>a house of habitation for him,</i>
<scripRef id="iiCh.vii-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.6.2" parsed="|2Chr|6|2|0|0" passage="2Ch 6:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>. He has indeed,
as to us, <i>made darkness his pavilion</i> (<scripRef id="iiCh.vii-p3.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.6.1" parsed="|2Chr|6|1|0|0" passage="2Ch 6:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>), but let this house be the
residence of that darkness; for it is in the upper world that he
dwells in light, such as no eye can approach. 2. He did it in
compliance with the choice God had been pleased to make of
Jerusalem, to be the city in which he would record his name
(<scripRef id="iiCh.vii-p3.4" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.6.6" parsed="|2Chr|6|6|0|0" passage="2Ch 6:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>): <i>I have
chosen Jerusalem.</i> A great many stately buildings there were in
Jerusalem for the king, his princes, and the royal family. If God
chooses that place, it is fit that there be a building for him
which may excel all the rest. If men were thus honoured there, let
God be thus honoured. 3. He did it in pursuance of his father's
good intentions, which he never had an opportunity to put into
execution: "<i>It was in the heart of David my father to build a
house for God;</i>" the project was his, be it known, to his honour
(<scripRef id="iiCh.vii-p3.5" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.6.7" parsed="|2Chr|6|7|0|0" passage="2Ch 6:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>), and God
approved of it, though he permitted him not to put it in execution
(<scripRef id="iiCh.vii-p3.6" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.6.8" parsed="|2Chr|6|8|0|0" passage="2Ch 6:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>), <i>Thou didst
well that it was in thy heart.</i> Temple-work is often thus done;
one sows and another reaps (<scripRef id="iiCh.vii-p3.7" osisRef="Bible:John.4.37-John.4.38" parsed="|John|4|37|4|38" passage="Joh 4:37,38">John
iv. 37, 38</scripRef>), one age begins that which the next brings
to perfection. And let not the wisest of men think it any
disparagement to them to pursue the good designs which those that
went before them have laid, and to build upon their foundation.
Every good piece is not an original. 4. He did it in performance of
the word which God had spoken. God had said, <i>Thy son shall build
the house for my name;</i> and now he had done it, <scripRef id="iiCh.vii-p3.8" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.6.9-2Chr.6.10" parsed="|2Chr|6|9|6|10" passage="2Ch 6:9,10"><i>v.</i> 9, 10</scripRef>. The service was
appointed him, and the honour of it designed him, by the divine
promise; so that he did not do it of his own head, but was called
of God to do it. It is fit that he who appoints the work should
have the appointing of the workmen; and those may go on in their
work with great satisfaction who see their call to it clear.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iiCh.vii-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.6.12-2Chr.6.42" parsed="|2Chr|6|12|6|42" passage="2Ch 6:12-42" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Chr.6.12-2Chr.6.42">
<p class="passage" id="iiCh.vii-p4">12 And he stood before the altar of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.vii-p4.1">Lord</span> in the presence of all the
congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands:   13 For
Solomon had made a brasen scaffold, of five cubits long, and five
cubits broad, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of
the court: and upon it he stood, and kneeled down upon his knees
before all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands
toward heaven,   14 And said, <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.vii-p4.2">O
Lord</span> God of Israel, <i>there is</i> no God like thee in the
heaven, nor in the earth; which keepest covenant, and
<i>showest</i> mercy unto thy servants, that walk before thee with
all their hearts:   15 Thou which hast kept with thy servant
David my father that which thou hast promised him; and spakest with
thy mouth, and hast fulfilled <i>it</i> with thine hand, as <i>it
is</i> this day.   16 Now therefore, <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.vii-p4.3">O
Lord</span> God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father
that which thou hast promised him, saying, There shall not fail
thee a man in my sight to sit upon the throne of Israel; yet so
that thy children take heed to their way to walk in my law, as thou
hast walked before me.   17 Now then, <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.vii-p4.4">O Lord</span> God of Israel, let thy word be verified,
which thou hast spoken unto thy servant David.   18 But will
God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and
the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house
which I have built!   19 Have respect therefore to the prayer
of thy servant, and to his supplication, <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.vii-p4.5">O
Lord</span> my God, to hearken unto the cry and the prayer which
thy servant prayeth before thee:   20 That thine eyes may be
open upon this house day and night, upon the place whereof thou
hast said that thou wouldest put thy name there; to hearken unto
the prayer which thy servant prayeth toward this place.   21
Hearken therefore unto the supplications of thy servant, and of thy
people Israel, which they shall make toward this place: hear thou
from thy dwelling place, <i>even</i> from heaven; and when thou
hearest, forgive.   22 If a man sin against his neighbour, and
an oath be laid upon him to make him swear, and the oath come
before thine altar in this house;   23 Then hear thou from
heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, by requiting the wicked, by
recompensing his way upon his own head; and by justifying the
righteous, by giving him according to his righteousness.   24
And if thy people Israel be put to the worse before the enemy,
because they have sinned against thee; and shall return and confess
thy name, and pray and make supplication before thee in this house;
  25 Then hear thou from the heavens, and forgive the sin of
thy people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which thou
gavest to them and to their fathers.   26 When the heaven is
shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against
thee; <i>yet</i> if they pray toward this place, and confess thy
name, and turn from their sin, when thou dost afflict them;  
27 Then hear thou from heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants,
and of thy people Israel, when thou hast taught them the good way,
wherein they should walk; and send rain upon thy land, which thou
hast given unto thy people for an inheritance.   28 If there
be dearth in the land, if there be pestilence, if there be
blasting, or mildew, locusts, or caterpillars; if their enemies
besiege them in the cities of their land; whatsoever sore or
whatsoever sickness <i>there be:</i>   29 <i>Then</i> what
prayer <i>or</i> what supplication soever shall be made of any man,
or of all thy people Israel, when every one shall know his own sore
and his own grief, and shall spread forth his hands in this house:
  30 Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and
forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways,
whose heart thou knowest; (for thou only knowest the hearts of the
children of men:)   31 That they may fear thee, to walk in thy
ways, so long as they live in the land which thou gavest unto our
fathers.   32 Moreover concerning the stranger, which is not
of thy people Israel, but is come from a far country for thy great
name's sake, and thy mighty hand, and thy stretched out arm; if
they come and pray in this house;   33 Then hear thou from the
heavens, <i>even</i> from thy dwelling place, and do according to
all that the stranger calleth to thee for; that all people of the
earth may know thy name, and fear thee, as <i>doth</i> thy people
Israel, and may know that this house which I have built is called
by thy name.   34 If thy people go out to war against their
enemies by the way that thou shalt send them, and they pray unto
thee toward this city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I
have built for thy name;   35 Then hear thou from the heavens
their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause.
  36 If they sin against thee, (for <i>there is</i> no man
which sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them
over before <i>their</i> enemies, and they carry them away captives
unto a land far off or near;   37 Yet <i>if</i> they bethink
themselves in the land whither they are carried captive, and turn
and pray unto thee in the land of their captivity, saying, We have
sinned, we have done amiss, and have dealt wickedly;   38 If
they return to thee with all their heart and with all their soul in
the land of their captivity, whither they have carried them
captives, and pray toward their land, which thou gavest unto their
fathers, and <i>toward</i> the city which thou hast chosen, and
toward the house which I have built for thy name:   39 Then
hear thou from the heavens, <i>even</i> from thy dwelling place,
their prayer and their supplications, and maintain their cause, and
forgive thy people which have sinned against thee.   40 Now,
my God, let, I beseech thee, thine eyes be open, and <i>let</i>
thine ears <i>be</i> attent unto the prayer <i>that is made</i> in
this place.   41 Now therefore arise, <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.vii-p4.6">O Lord</span> God, into thy resting place, thou, and
the ark of thy strength: let thy priests, <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.vii-p4.7">O
Lord</span> God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints
rejoice in goodness.   42 <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.vii-p4.8">O
Lord</span> God, turn not away the face of thine anointed: remember
the mercies of David thy servant.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.vii-p5">Solomon had, in the foregoing verses,
signed and sealed, as it were, the deed of dedication, by which the
temple was appropriated to the honour and service of God. Now here
he prays the consecration-prayer, by which it was made a figure of
Christ, the great Mediator, through whom we are to offer all our
prayers, and to expect all God's favours, and to whom we are to
have an eye in every thing where we have to do with God. We have
opened the particulars of this prayer (<scripRef id="iiCh.vii-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.8.12-1Kgs.8.53" parsed="|1Kgs|8|12|8|53" passage="1Ki 8:12-53">1 Kings viii.</scripRef>) and therefore shall now
only glean up some few passages in it which may be the proper
subjects of our meditation.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.vii-p6">I. Here are some doctrinal truths
occasionally laid down. As, 1. That the God of Israel is a being of
incomparable perfection. We cannot describe him; but this we know,
there is <i>none like him in heaven or in earth,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.vii-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.6.14" parsed="|2Chr|6|14|0|0" passage="2Ch 6:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>. All the creatures have
their fellow-creatures, but the Creator has not his peer. He is
infinitely above all, and <i>over all, God blessed for ever.</i> 2.
That he is, and will be, true to every word that he has spoken; and
all that serve him in sincerity shall certainly find him both
faithful and kind. Those that set God always before them, and
<i>walk before him with all their hearts,</i> shall find him as
good as his word and better; he will both keep covenant with them
and show mercy to them, <scripRef id="iiCh.vii-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.6.14" parsed="|2Chr|6|14|0|0" passage="2Ch 6:14"><i>v.</i>
14</scripRef>. 3. That he is a being infinite and immense, whom the
heaven, and heaven of heavens, cannot contain, and to whose
felicity nothing is added by the utmost we can do in his service,
<scripRef id="iiCh.vii-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.6.18" parsed="|2Chr|6|18|0|0" passage="2Ch 6:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>. He is
infinitely beyond the bounds of the creation and infinitely above
the praises of all intelligent creatures. 4. That he, and <i>he
only, knows the hearts of the children of men,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.vii-p6.4" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.6.30" parsed="|2Chr|6|30|0|0" passage="2Ch 6:30"><i>v.</i> 30</scripRef>. All men's thoughts,
aims, and affections, are naked and open before him; and, however
the imaginations and intents of our hearts may be concealed from
men, angels, and devils, they cannot be hidden from God, who knows
not only what is in the heart, but the heart itself and all the
beatings of it. 5. That there is no such thing as a sinless
perfection to be found in this life (<scripRef id="iiCh.vii-p6.5" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.6.36" parsed="|2Chr|6|36|0|0" passage="2Ch 6:36"><i>v.</i> 36</scripRef>): <i>There is no man who sinneth
not;</i> nay, who <i>doeth good and sinneth not;</i> so he writes,
agreeable to what he here says, <scripRef id="iiCh.vii-p6.6" osisRef="Bible:Eccl.7.20" parsed="|Eccl|7|20|0|0" passage="Ec 7:20">Eccl.
vii. 20</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.vii-p7">II. Here are some suppositions or cases put
which are to be taken notice of. 1. He supposed that if doubts and
controversies arose between man and man both sides would agree to
appeal to God, and lay an oath upon the person whose testimony must
decide the matter, <scripRef id="iiCh.vii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.6.22" parsed="|2Chr|6|22|0|0" passage="2Ch 6:22"><i>v.</i>
22</scripRef>. The religious reverence of an oath, as it was
ancient, so, it may be presumed, it will continue as long as there
are any remains of conscience and right reason among men. 2. He
supposed that, though Israel enjoyed a profound peace and
tranquillity, yet troublesome times would come. He did not think
the mountain of their prosperity stood so strong but that it might
be moved; nay, he expected sin would move it. 3. He supposed that
those who had not called upon God at other times, yet, in their
affliction, would seek him early and earnestly. "When they are in
distress they will confess their sins, and confess thy name, and
make supplication to thee." Trouble will drive those to God who
have said to him, Depart, <scripRef id="iiCh.vii-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.6.24 Bible:2Chr.6.26 Bible:2Chr.6.28" parsed="|2Chr|6|24|0|0;|2Chr|6|26|0|0;|2Chr|6|28|0|0" passage="2Ch 6:24,26,28"><i>v.</i> 24, 26, 28</scripRef>. 4. He supposed
that strangers would come from afar to worship the God of Israel
and to pay homage to him; and this also might reasonably be
expected, considering what worthless things the gods of the nations
were, and what proofs the God of Israel had given of his being Lord
of the whole earth.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.vii-p8">III. Here are petitions very pertinent. 1.
That God would own this house, and have an eye to it, as the place
of which he had said that he would put his name there, <scripRef id="iiCh.vii-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.6.20" parsed="|2Chr|6|20|0|0" passage="2Ch 6:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>. He could not, in faith,
have asked God to show such peculiar favour to this house above any
other if he himself had not said that it should be his rest for
ever. The prayer that will speed must be warranted by the word. We
may with humble confidence pray to God to be well pleased with us
in Jesus Christ, because he had declared himself well pleased in
him—<i>This is my beloved Son;</i> but he says not now of any
house, "This is my beloved place." 2. That God would hear and
accept the prayers which should be made in or towards that place,
<scripRef id="iiCh.vii-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.6.21" parsed="|2Chr|6|21|0|0" passage="2Ch 6:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>. He asked not
that God should help them whether they prayed for themselves or no,
but that God would help them in answer to their prayers. Even
Christ's intercessions do not supersede but encourage our
supplications. He prayed that God would hear from his
dwelling-place, even from heaven. Heaven in his dwelling-place
still, not this temple; and thence help must come. <i>When thou
hearest forgive.</i> Note, The forgiveness of our sins is that
which makes way for all the other answers to our prayers,
<i>Removendo prohibens—The evil which it drives away it keeps
away.</i> 3. That God would give judgment according to equity upon
all the appeals that should be made to him, <scripRef id="iiCh.vii-p8.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.6.23 Bible:2Chr.6.30" parsed="|2Chr|6|23|0|0;|2Chr|6|30|0|0" passage="2Ch 6:23,30"><i>v.</i> 23, 30</scripRef>. This we may, in faith,
pray for, for we are sure it shall be done. God sitteth on the
throne judging right. 4. That God would return in mercy to his
people when they repented, and reformed, and sought unto him,
<scripRef id="iiCh.vii-p8.4" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.6.25 Bible:2Chr.6.27 Bible:2Chr.6.38 Bible:2Chr.6.39" parsed="|2Chr|6|25|0|0;|2Chr|6|27|0|0;|2Chr|6|38|0|0;|2Chr|6|39|0|0" passage="2Ch 6:25,27,38,39"><i>v.</i> 25, 27, 38,
39</scripRef>. This we also may, in faith, pray for, building upon
the repeated declarations God has made of his readiness to accepts
penitents. 5. That God would bid the strangers welcome to this
house, and answer their prayers (<scripRef id="iiCh.vii-p8.5" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.6.33" parsed="|2Chr|6|33|0|0" passage="2Ch 6:33"><i>v.</i> 33</scripRef>); for, if there be in duty, why
should there not be in privilege one law for the stranger and for
one born in the land? <scripRef id="iiCh.vii-p8.6" osisRef="Bible:Lev.24.22" parsed="|Lev|24|22|0|0" passage="Le 24:22">Lev. xxiv.
22</scripRef>. 6. That God would, upon all occasions, own and plead
the cause of his people Israel, against all the opposers of it
(<scripRef id="iiCh.vii-p8.7" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.6.35" parsed="|2Chr|6|35|0|0" passage="2Ch 6:35"><i>v.</i> 35</scripRef>): <i>Maintain
their cause;</i> and again, <scripRef id="iiCh.vii-p8.8" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.6.39" parsed="|2Chr|6|39|0|0" passage="2Ch 6:39"><i>v.</i>
39</scripRef>. If they be the Israel of God, their cause is the
cause of God, and he would espouse it. 7. He concludes this prayer
with some expressions which he had learned of his good father, and
borrowed from one of his psalms. We had then not in the Kings, but
here we have them, <scripRef id="iiCh.vii-p8.9" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.6.41-2Chr.6.42" parsed="|2Chr|6|41|6|42" passage="2Ch 6:41,42"><i>v.</i> 41,
42</scripRef>. The whole word of God is of use to direct us in
prayer; and how can we express ourselves in better language to God
than that of his own Spirit? But these words were of use, in a
special manner, to direct Solomon, because they had reference to
this very work that he was now doing. We have them, <scripRef id="iiCh.vii-p8.10" osisRef="Bible:Ps.132.8-Ps.132.10" parsed="|Ps|132|8|132|10" passage="Ps 132:8-10">Ps. cxxxii. 8-10</scripRef>. He prayed
(<scripRef id="iiCh.vii-p8.11" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.6.41" parsed="|2Chr|6|41|0|0" passage="2Ch 6:41"><i>v.</i> 41</scripRef>), (1.) That
God would take possession of the temple, and keep possession, that
he would make it his resting-place: <i>Thou and the ark;</i> what
will the ark do without the God of the ark-ordinances without the
God of the ordinances? (2.) That he would make the ministers of the
temple public blessings: <i>Clothe them with salvation,</i> that
is, not only save them, but make them instrumental to save others,
by offering the sacrifices of righteousness. (3.) That the service
of the temple might turn abundantly to the joy and satisfaction of
all the Lord's people: <i>Let thy saints rejoice in goodness,</i>
that is, in the <i>goodness of thy house,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.vii-p8.12" osisRef="Bible:Ps.65.4" parsed="|Ps|65|4|0|0" passage="Ps 65:4">Ps. lxv. 4</scripRef>. "Let all that come hither to
worship, like the eunuch, go away rejoicing." He pleads two things,
<scripRef id="iiCh.vii-p8.13" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.6.42" parsed="|2Chr|6|42|0|0" passage="2Ch 6:42"><i>v.</i> 42</scripRef>. [1.] His own
relation to God: "<i>Turn not away the face of thy anointed.</i>
Lord, thou hast appointed me to be king, and wilt not thou own me?"
[2.] God's covenant with his father: <i>Remember thy mercies of
David thy servant</i>—the <i>piety</i> of David towards God (so
some understand it and so the word sometimes signifies), his pious
care of the ark, and concern for it (see <scripRef id="iiCh.vii-p8.14" osisRef="Bible:Ps.132.1-Ps.132.2" parsed="|Ps|132|1|132|2" passage="Ps 132:1,2">Ps. cxxxii. 1, 2</scripRef>, &amp;c.), or the
<i>promises</i> of God to David, which were mercies to him, his
great support and comforts in all his troubles. We may plead, as
Solomon does here, with an eye to Christ:—"We deserve that God
should turn away our face, that he should reject us and our
prayers; but we come in the name of the Lord Jesus, <i>thy
anointed, thy Messiah</i> (so the word is), <i>thy Christ,</i> so
the LXX. Him thou hearest always, and wilt never <i>turn away his
face.</i> We have no righteousness of our own to plead, but, Lord,
<i>remember the mercies of David thy servant.</i>" Christ is God's
servant (<scripRef id="iiCh.vii-p8.15" osisRef="Bible:Isa.42.1" parsed="|Isa|42|1|0|0" passage="Isa 42:1">Isa. xlii. 1</scripRef>), and
is called <i>David,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.vii-p8.16" osisRef="Bible:Hos.3.5" parsed="|Hos|3|5|0|0" passage="Hos 3:5">Hos. iii.
5</scripRef>. "Lord, remember his mercies, and accept us on the
account of them. Remember his tender concern for his Father's
honour and man's salvation, and what he did and suffered from that
principle. Remember the promises of the everlasting covenant, which
free grace has made to us in Christ, and which are called <i>the
sure mercies of David,</i>" <scripRef id="iiCh.vii-p8.17" osisRef="Bible:Isa.55.3 Bible:Acts.13.34" parsed="|Isa|55|3|0|0;|Acts|13|34|0|0" passage="Isa 55:3,Ac 13:34">Isa. lv. 3 and Acts xiii. 34</scripRef>. This
must be all our desire and all our hope, all our prayer and all our
plea; for it is all our salvation.</p>
</div></div2>