2 Chronicles 6:27
Then heare thou from heauen, and forgiue the sinne of thy seruants, and of thy people Israel; when thou hast taught them the good way, wherein they should walke, and send raine vpon the land, which thou hast giuen vnto thy people for an inheritance. 2 Chronicles 6:27 (KJV)
In this prayer of dedication Solomon offers a comprehensive petition on behalf of the newly built temple and the nation of Israel. He begins by addressing God’s heavenly throne, acknowledging that the Almighty dwells in heaven and that He hears the prayers of His people. By asking God to “hear thou from heaven,” Solomon affirms God’s sovereign presence and his willingness to attend to the petitions of the faithful.
Solomon then petitions for forgiveness, recognizing that both individual servants and the whole nation are prone to sin. He asks that God “forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel,” underscoring the need for divine mercy toward both personal and corporate transgressions. The prayer continues with a conditional clause: “when thou hast taught them the good way, wherein they should walk.” Here Solomon acknowledges that the people require God’s instruction to discern the righteous path, and that forgiveness is linked to the teaching and guidance God provides.
The request for rain follows, reflecting the agrarian reality of ancient Israel. Solomon asks that God “send rain upon thy land, which thou hast given unto thy people for an inheritance,” recognizing that rain is essential for fertility, crop growth, and the nation’s prosperity. The plea ties material blessing to God’s covenantal provision of the land as an inheritance.
Draft 2 adds a further description of God’s character that Solomon invokes: “for thou art a merciful God, gracious, slow to anger, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.” This language emphasizes God’s compassion, patience, and abundant goodness, reinforcing the confidence that the petitions are made to a deity who is both just and gracious.
Overall, the verse and its surrounding prayer highlight three central themes: repentance and forgiveness, divine guidance toward the good way, and the material blessing of rain. Solomon’s prayer encourages believers to turn back to God with whole hearts, trust in His merciful nature, and rely on His provision and guidance in every aspect of life.
