Solomon turns to bless the people of Israel, indicating a moment of communal unity and reverence as the temple is dedicated.
Then Solomon, standing before the newly assembled congregation, addressed them with words of praise and blessing:
Then the king faced about and blessed all the assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel was standing (v.3). Solomon, who reigned as the third king of Israel (circa 971-931 BC), was dedicating the temple he had built in Jerusalem, the holy city of the Israelite people. Jerusalem itself is set on top of Mount Moriah, the same place where Abraham once offered his son Isaac to God (Genesis 22:2), and is the location where David’s son Solomon built and dedicated the temple (2 Chronicles 3:1). The phrase the king faced about paints a picture of Solomon turning to address the crowd, indicating that the entire congregation of Israel had gathered to witness the dedication of God’s temple (2 Chronicles 6:1-2). This act of blessing the people served as a declaration of goodwill and divine favor upon them, a customary action of a righteous king interceding for his people. It echoes other instances in Scripture where leaders bless those under their care (Numbers 6:23-27).
The blessing underscores the communal nature of worship among the Israelites—while all the assembly of Israel was standing. Standing was a sign of reverence and readiness to receive the words spoken on their behalf. It also signified Israel’s role as participants in the covenant relationship with the Lord (Exodus 19:5-6). This moment of blessing took place as part of Solomon’s temple dedication ceremonies, which signaled that God would dwell among His people in this holy place, if they remained obedient.
This verse thus highlights Solomon’s leadership role, both as king and representative of the people before God. It also demonstrates the unifying effect the temple inauguration had on the entire nation, confirming Jerusalem as the center of worship and the temple as the Lord’s earthly dwelling place, the place where He put His name (Deuteronomy 12:5).
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2 Chronicles 6:3 meaning
Then Solomon, standing before the newly assembled congregation, addressed them with words of praise and blessing:
Then the king faced about and blessed all the assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel was standing (v.3). Solomon, who reigned as the third king of Israel (circa 971-931 BC), was dedicating the temple he had built in Jerusalem, the holy city of the Israelite people. Jerusalem itself is set on top of Mount Moriah, the same place where Abraham once offered his son Isaac to God (Genesis 22:2), and is the location where David’s son Solomon built and dedicated the temple (2 Chronicles 3:1). The phrase the king faced about paints a picture of Solomon turning to address the crowd, indicating that the entire congregation of Israel had gathered to witness the dedication of God’s temple (2 Chronicles 6:1-2). This act of blessing the people served as a declaration of goodwill and divine favor upon them, a customary action of a righteous king interceding for his people. It echoes other instances in Scripture where leaders bless those under their care (Numbers 6:23-27).
The blessing underscores the communal nature of worship among the Israelites—while all the assembly of Israel was standing. Standing was a sign of reverence and readiness to receive the words spoken on their behalf. It also signified Israel’s role as participants in the covenant relationship with the Lord (Exodus 19:5-6). This moment of blessing took place as part of Solomon’s temple dedication ceremonies, which signaled that God would dwell among His people in this holy place, if they remained obedient.
This verse thus highlights Solomon’s leadership role, both as king and representative of the people before God. It also demonstrates the unifying effect the temple inauguration had on the entire nation, confirming Jerusalem as the center of worship and the temple as the Lord’s earthly dwelling place, the place where He put His name (Deuteronomy 12:5).