But I have built You an exalted houseThis phrase refers to the completion of the temple by King Solomon, fulfilling the promise made to his father, David. The "exalted house" signifies the grandeur and magnificence of the temple, which was constructed with the finest materials, including cedar from Lebanon and gold. The temple's design and construction were intended to reflect the glory and majesty of God. This phrase also highlights the fulfillment of God's covenant with David, as seen in
2 Samuel 7:12-13, where God promises David that his offspring will build a house for His name.
a place for You to dwell forever
This part of the verse emphasizes the temple as the dwelling place of God among His people, Israel. The concept of God dwelling with His people is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, beginning with the tabernacle in the wilderness (Exodus 25:8). The temple was seen as a permanent structure, unlike the portable tabernacle, symbolizing a more enduring presence of God. However, the phrase "forever" also points to the eschatological hope of God's eternal presence with His people, which is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who is described as the true temple (John 2:19-21) and in the New Jerusalem, where God will dwell with His people eternally (Revelation 21:3).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
SolomonThe son of King David and Bathsheba, Solomon is the king of Israel who built the temple in Jerusalem. He is known for his wisdom and wealth, and his reign is marked by peace and prosperity.
2.
The Temple in JerusalemThis is the "exalted house" Solomon refers to. It was a magnificent structure built to house the Ark of the Covenant and serve as the central place of worship for the Israelites.
3.
The Dedication of the TempleThis event marks the completion of the temple and its dedication to God. Solomon's prayer and speech during this event highlight the significance of the temple as a dwelling place for God among His people.
Teaching Points
The Significance of God's Dwelling PlaceThe temple symbolizes God's presence among His people. It serves as a reminder that God desires to be near to us and to have a relationship with us.
The Fulfillment in ChristWhile the temple was a physical structure, it points forward to Jesus Christ, who is the true temple. In Him, God dwells with us in a more profound way.
Our Bodies as TemplesAs believers, our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. We are called to live in a way that honors God, recognizing His presence within us.
The Eternal DwellingSolomon's statement about the temple being a place for God to dwell forever points to the eternal dwelling of God with His people in the new heaven and new earth.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 2 Chronicles 6:2?
2.How does 2 Chronicles 6:2 emphasize God's dwelling among His people?
3.What does Solomon's temple dedication teach about reverence for God's presence today?
4.How can we create a "house" for God in our hearts daily?
5.Connect 2 Chronicles 6:2 with New Testament teachings on believers as God's temple.
6.How does acknowledging God's presence influence our daily decisions and actions?
7.What does 2 Chronicles 6:2 reveal about God's presence in a physical temple?
8.How does 2 Chronicles 6:2 align with the belief in God's omnipresence?
9.Why was Solomon's temple significant in 2 Chronicles 6:2?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Chronicles 6?
11.What is the biblical view on church buildings' importance?
12.What does "Your house will be left desolate" mean?
13.2 Chronicles 6:1-2: If God is said to dwell in 'thick darkness,' how does this align with other passages presenting God as light?
14.(2 Chronicles 17:6) How is the claim that Jehoshaphat removed high places consistent with other passages stating they persisted under various kings?What Does 2 Chronicles 6:2 Mean
But I have built• Solomon is speaking at the temple dedication, acknowledging the literal completion of the structure God directed (1 Kings 8:12-13;2 Chronicles 6:10).
• His words echo God’s command to David, fulfilled in brick and cedar: “I have built the house as You commanded” (1 Chronicles 28:10).
• The verse begins with “But,” contrasting human limitation with God’s greatness already confessed in2 Chronicles 6:18 (“Will God really dwell with mankind on the earth?”).
You an exalted house• “Exalted” underscores the temple’s status above every other building—set apart, lifted high, reflecting God’s holiness (Psalm 99:9;Isaiah 6:1).
• Solomon’s aim was that every stone and ornament point upward: “Great is the LORD and highly exalted in the city of our God” (Psalm 48:1-2).
• The temple’s splendor is meant to magnify the LORD, not Solomon’s craftsmanship (1 Kings 5:5).
a place• God had already chosen a specific location: “the place the LORD your God will choose” (Deuteronomy 12:5).
• A fixed site brings Israel’s worship into unity and order (Psalm 122:1-2).
• The temple anchors covenant life, giving the people a visible center for sacrifices, feasts, and prayer (Leviticus 17:8-9).
for You to dwell• God promised, “Let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8).
• His presence in the Most Holy Place affirms His nearness while preserving His transcendence (Exodus 40:34-35;Psalm 132:13-14).
• The Shekinah glory cloud that filled the temple moments earlier (2 Chronicles 5:13-14) confirms God’s acceptance of the house as His earthly dwelling.
forever• Solomon looks beyond stone walls to God’s eternal covenant: “I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever” (2 Samuel 7:13), pointing ultimately to Christ (Luke 1:32-33).
• Though the first temple would be destroyed (2 Kings 25:9), God’s dwelling with His people is everlasting, culminating in “The dwelling place of God is with man” (Revelation 21:3).
• The permanence promised is secured not by architecture but by the faithfulness of the LORD who inhabits eternity (Isaiah 57:15).
summary2 Chronicles 6:2 records Solomon’s jubilant declaration that he has completed the magnificent temple—an exalted, set-apart place where the LORD would make His presence known among His people. The verse celebrates obedience fulfilled, a holy structure established, God’s promised nearness realized, and an everlasting covenant anticipated. While the physical building was grand, its true glory lay in the eternal God who chose to dwell there, foreshadowing His ultimate, unending residence with His redeemed people through Christ.
(2)
But I have built.--
AndI,on my part, have built. Kings, "I
have built" (
b?n?h b?nithi); scil., as "Thou didst indicate." This seems original. So the Syr. here,
mebno b'nith, but not LXX. and Vulg.
Habitation.--Z?b-l, a poetic word, occurring only five times. (Comp.Habakkuk 3:11.)
And a place.--And, added here, weakens the force of the poetic parallelism.
A place for thy dwelling.--(Exodus 15:17) another poetic expression.
Forever.--(Through)ages. So only in this account andPsalm 61:5.
Verse 2. - Solomon's words now address themselves to God.
For ever. These words refer rather to the permanence and station-ariness of the temple as the dwelling-place of the ark. and the mercy-seat and cherubim, and all that symbolized and invited the Divine presence, than design any prophecy of length of time. They contrast with the wandering people, and wandering worship and sacrifices, and wandering tent and tabernacle with all their sacred contents (
Psalm 68:16;
Psalm 132:14;
1 Chronicles 22:10;
1 Chronicles 28:6-8;
2 Samuel 7:5-16).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
and Iוַֽאֲנִ֛י(wa·’ă·nî)Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589:Ihave builtבָּנִ֥יתִי(bā·nî·ṯî)Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1129:To buildYouלָ֑ךְ(lāḵ)Preposition | second person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrewan exaltedזְבֻ֖ל(zə·ḇul)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2073:Elevation, height, lofty abodehouse,בֵית־(ḇêṯ-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004:A housea placeוּמָכ֥וֹן(ū·mā·ḵō·wn)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4349:A fixture, a basis, a place, as an abodefor You to dwellלְשִׁבְתְּךָ֖(lə·šiḇ·tə·ḵā)Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3427:To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marryforever.”עוֹלָמִֽים׃(‘ō·w·lā·mîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5769:Concealed, eternity, frequentatively, always
Links
2 Chronicles 6:2 NIV2 Chronicles 6:2 NLT2 Chronicles 6:2 ESV2 Chronicles 6:2 NASB2 Chronicles 6:2 KJV
2 Chronicles 6:2 BibleApps.com2 Chronicles 6:2 Biblia Paralela2 Chronicles 6:2 Chinese Bible2 Chronicles 6:2 French Bible2 Chronicles 6:2 Catholic Bible
OT History: 2 Chronicles 6:2 But I have built you a house (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr) 
