71 Now when Solomon had finished praying , fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices , and the glory of the Lord filled the house . 2 The priests could not enter into the house of the Lord because the glory of the Lord filled the Lord'S house . 3 All the sons of Israel , seeing the fire come down and the glory of the Lord upon the house , bowed down on the pavement with their faces to the ground , and they worshiped and gave praise to the Lord , saying, " Truly He is good , truly His lovingkindness is everlasting ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 7:1-3
Chapter Contents
God's answer to Solomon's prayer.
God gave a gracious answer to Solomon's prayer. The mercies of God to sinners are made known in a manner well suited to impress all who receive them, with his majesty and holiness. The people worshipped and praised God. When he manifests himself as a consuming Fire to sinners, his people can rejoice in him as their Light. Nay, they had reason to say, that God was good in this. It is of the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, but the sacrifice in our stead, for which we should be very thankful. And whoever beholds with true faith, the Saviour agonizing and dying for man's sin, will, by that view, find his godly sorrow enlarged, his hatred of sin increased, his soul made more watchful, and his life more holy. Solomon prosperously effected all he designed, for adorning both God's house and his own. Those who begin with the service of God, are likely to go on successfully in their own affairs. It was Solomon's praise, that what he undertook, he went through with; it was by the grace of God that he prospered in it. Let us then stand in awe, and sin not. Let us fear the Lord's displeasure, hope in his mercy, and walk in his commandments.