2 Chronicles 6:29

Then what prayer or what supplication soever shall be made of any man, or of all thy people Israel, when every one shall know his own sore and his own grief, and shall spread forth his hands in this house:

2 Chronicles 6:29 (KJV)

Context

This verse belongs to King Solomon’s prayer of dedication for the newly built temple in Jerusalem. The prayer came after the Ark of the Covenant was brought into the temple and Solomon offered sacrifices to the Lord. Here Solomon asks God to hear the prayers of any person in Israel who, knowing his own affliction and grief, spreads forth his hands toward the temple.

Meaning

The verse describes a personal, heartfelt response to suffering. Each person knows his own sore and grief, and in that awareness stretches out his hands in prayer. The parallel passage in 1 Kings 8:38 speaks of “the plague of his own heart,” showing that the sore and grief here are inward afflictions of the heart, not only physical ailments. Solomon acknowledges that people carry different troubles and burdens, yet he presents one common remedy: bringing those burdens before God in prayer.

This prayer also carries a communal dimension. It is offered for “any man, or of all thy people Israel,” so both the individual and the whole community are invited to seek God with their specific needs. The following verse, 2 Chronicles 6:30, reveals the intended divine response: God hears from heaven, forgives, and renders to every man according to his ways, for He alone knows the human heart.

Biblical connections

The temple is described as the place where God’s name dwells and where prayers are heard. Solomon’s request builds on this truth, directing the people to pray toward the house of God. The purpose of this arrangement is stated in verse 31: “that they may fear thee, to walk in thy ways all the days that they live.” Thus, prayer is not merely for relief but also for cultivating reverence and obedience.

Application

This verse encourages honest self-awareness. Instead of hiding pain or pretending all is well, believers are invited to acknowledge their own afflictions and bring them before God. The physical temple is no longer standing, but the principle remains: God is attentive to sincere prayer offered anywhere, because He knows each heart and cares for each person’s unique struggles.

Reflection

Solomon’s prayer reminds us that God welcomes both individual and corporate prayer. When we know our own grief and spread our hands before Him, we can trust that He hears, forgives, and responds according to His perfect knowledge of our hearts. This verse invites us to find solace in God’s presence and to rely on His mercy in every circumstance.