Texts in Conversation
2 Chronicles 6 concludes Solomon’s temple dedication prayer with quotations from Psalm 132, replacing the ending found in its source text in 1 Kings. This change shifts the focus away from royal promises and instead highlights the ark, the temple, and the priests.
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Psalm 132:8
Hebrew Bible
6 Look, we heard about it in Ephrathah; we found it in the territory of Jaar. 7 Let us go to his dwelling place. Let us worship before his footstool. 8 Ascend, O Lord, to your resting place, you and the ark of your strength. 9 May your priests be clothed with integrity. May your loyal followers shout for joy. 10 For the sake of David, your servant, do not reject your chosen king.
Date: 6th-3rd Centuries B.C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
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2 Chronicles 6:2
Hebrew Bible
1 Then Solomon said, “The Lord has said that he lives in thick darkness. 2 O Lord, I have built a lofty temple for you, a place where you can live permanently.” 3 Then the king turned around and pronounced a blessing over the whole Israelite assembly as they stood there. 4 He said, “The Lord God of Israel is worthy of praise because he has fulfilled what he promised my father David.
Date: 4th Century B.C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
"... Solomon had the ark and tent of meeting brought into the finished temple by the Levites, not the priests. The ark affirmed Yahweh's presence, as did the manifestation of Yahweh's cloud and glory. Solomon's lengthy prayer at the dedication of the temple was taken over from the Kings Vorlage, but it is not clear whether the Chronicler himself endorsed the hope for an everlasting dynasty expressed in this prayer. Solomon asked that Yahweh hear his prayer and those of the people that would take place in or be directed toward the temple. The ending of the prayer from the Vorlage is replaced by quotations from Psalm 132. The presence of Yahweh in the ark is mentioned first, the welfare of priests and people next, and the king's welfare only in the third position. There is no expression of hope for, or urgency about, the restoration of the monarch ..."
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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