Solomon’s act of sacrifice demonstrated the people’s commitment to the LORD.
“King Solomon offered a sacrifice of 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep. Thus the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.” (2 Chronicles 7:5) Solomon, who ruled Israel from approximately 971 BC to 931 BC, was the son of David and the builder of the magnificent temple in Jerusalem. This verse describes the lavish scale of his worship, highlighting “22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep” (v.5) offered on the altar. By bringing so many animals to be sacrificed, Solomon sets the tone for a momentous event, where the entire nation joins in dedicating the temple to the LORD. This dedication was not merely a ritual; it was a profound statement of Israel’s recognition that God’s faithful presence was central to their lives, and it foreshadows the ultimate, perfect sacrifice Jesus would later make for humanity (Hebrews 10:10).
The phrase “Thus the king and all the people dedicated the house of God” (v.5) reveals that this moment was not limited to the king alone. People throughout Israel participated, uniting their hearts in worship as they acknowledged God’s holiness and sovereignty. Jerusalem, located in the southern part of ancient Israel, was chosen by God as the place for His name to dwell (2 Chronicles 6:6). By offering these sacrifices on such a grand scale, Solomon and the people expressed gratitude for God’s faithfulness to the promises He had given their forefathers, including David (2 Samuel 7:12-16).
This dedication further underscores the principle that genuine worship involves both the leader and the community as a whole. The staggering numbers of animals emphasize how wholeheartedly Solomon gave back to the LORD, a gesture that can encourage believers today to offer their time, talents, and treasures in devotion to God (Mark 12:30). Through their collective act of worship, Israel demonstrated that the temple was not merely a building; it was the sacred place where God’s presence, glory, and name would be honored.
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2 Chronicles 7:5 meaning
“King Solomon offered a sacrifice of 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep. Thus the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.” (2 Chronicles 7:5) Solomon, who ruled Israel from approximately 971 BC to 931 BC, was the son of David and the builder of the magnificent temple in Jerusalem. This verse describes the lavish scale of his worship, highlighting “22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep” (v.5) offered on the altar. By bringing so many animals to be sacrificed, Solomon sets the tone for a momentous event, where the entire nation joins in dedicating the temple to the LORD. This dedication was not merely a ritual; it was a profound statement of Israel’s recognition that God’s faithful presence was central to their lives, and it foreshadows the ultimate, perfect sacrifice Jesus would later make for humanity (Hebrews 10:10).
The phrase “Thus the king and all the people dedicated the house of God” (v.5) reveals that this moment was not limited to the king alone. People throughout Israel participated, uniting their hearts in worship as they acknowledged God’s holiness and sovereignty. Jerusalem, located in the southern part of ancient Israel, was chosen by God as the place for His name to dwell (2 Chronicles 6:6). By offering these sacrifices on such a grand scale, Solomon and the people expressed gratitude for God’s faithfulness to the promises He had given their forefathers, including David (2 Samuel 7:12-16).
This dedication further underscores the principle that genuine worship involves both the leader and the community as a whole. The staggering numbers of animals emphasize how wholeheartedly Solomon gave back to the LORD, a gesture that can encourage believers today to offer their time, talents, and treasures in devotion to God (Mark 12:30). Through their collective act of worship, Israel demonstrated that the temple was not merely a building; it was the sacred place where God’s presence, glory, and name would be honored.