And as for thee, if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, and do according to all that I have commanded thee, and shalt observe my statutes and my judgments;
God's acceptance of Solomon's prayer shone out in the fire from heaven, yet acceptance and answered petition are not the same thing. So He appeared that night to explain Himself: His name would dwell there forever, His ear would hear the prayers of His people in that place, and if they humbled themselves, sought His face, and turned from wickedness, He would forgive and heal their land. National judgment requires national repentance; pardon must come before healing.
AI summary
Commenting on 2 Chronicles 7:12-22
2Ch 7:11-22 The Lord’s answer to Solomon’s dedicatory prayer. Cf. 1Ki 9:1-9. The general contents, and the order of the thoughts in the divine answer in the two texts, agree, but in the Chronicle individual thoughts are further expounded than in the book of Kings, and expressions are here and there made clear.
Commenting on 2 Chronicles 7:11-22