26
Prophets and Kings
had showed unto David, and to Solomon, and to Israel His people.”
Verses 8, 10
.
The king had done everything within his power to encourage the
people to give themselves wholly to God and His service, and to
magnify His holy name. And now once more, as at Gibeon early in
his reign, Israel’s ruler was given evidence of divine acceptance and
blessing. In a night vision the Lord appeared to him with the message:
“I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to Myself for an
house of sacrifice. If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I
command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among
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My people; if My people, which are called by My name, shall humble
themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked
ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will
heal their land. Now Mine eyes shall be open, and Mine ears attent
unto the prayer that is made in this place. For now have I chosen and
sanctified this house, that My name may be there forever: and Mine
eyes and Mine heart shall be there perpetually.”
Verses 12-16
.
Had Israel remained true to God, this glorious building would
have stood forever, a perpetual sign of God’s especial favor to His
chosen people. “The sons of the stranger,” God declared, “that join
themselves to the Lord, to serve Him, and to love the name of the Lord,
to be His servants, everyone that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting
it, and taketh hold of My covenant; even them will I bring to My holy
mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer: their burnt
offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon Mine altar; for
Mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.”
Isaiah
56:6, 7
.
In connection with these assurances of acceptance, the Lord made
very plain the path of duty before the king. “As for thee,” He declared,
“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; then will I establish the throne of thy
kingdom, according as I have covenanted with David thy father, saying,
There shall not fail thee a man to be ruler in Israel.”
2 Chronicles 7:17,
18
.
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Had Solomon continued to serve the Lord in humility, his entire
reign would have exerted a powerful influence for good over the sur-
rounding nations, nations that had been so favorably impressed by the