Year 9, Day 306: 2 Chronicles 6

Theological Commentary: Click Here

In this chapter, Solomon prays over the people.  He prays as an intercessor.  As a leader of this religious effort, he prays for God and His presence.

There is something neat and responsible within Solomon’s prayer.  Note that he doesn’t ask for God’s unilateral support.  He doesn’t demand God’s blessing.  He doesn’t lay out expectations for God.

What Solomon does do is ask that if the people are faithful that they receive God’s blessing.  He asks that if the people are sinful and God judges them, that when they repent God would hear their repentance.  He asks that God vindicate the innocent and judge the guilty.  He asks that when a foreigner who is not among God’s people should come and pray that God would hear the prayer of the foreigner.  Solomon asks God to be righteous.  This is a very wise moment for Solomon.

What Solomon asks for is that God judge people the way they deserve to be judged.  He is asking for accountability.  He is asking for grace and mercy.  He is asking for second chances where they are warranted.  Solomon is being an intercessor for His people rather than a presumptive leader.

There is much to learn from Solomon in this chapter.  Leadership is about caring for the people.  Caring for people means that we ask for accountability, not enabling.  It means we ask for mercy, grace, and correction at the same time.  It means desiring what is right for people, not necessarily what people want.  These are things that Solomon shows in this chapter.

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