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Psalm 7:3
O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands;

Psalm 13:3
Considerand hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep thesleep of death;

Psalm 22:1,2
To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?why art thou so far from helping me,and from the words of my roaring? …

thine eyes

2 Chronicles 7:15
Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayerthat is made in this place.

2 Chronicles 16:9
For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf ofthem whose heartis perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.

1 Kings 8:52
That thine eyes may be open unto the supplication of thy servant, and unto the supplication of thy people Israel, to hearken unto them in all that they call for unto thee.

thine ears

Psalm 17:1
A Prayer of David. Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer,that goeth not out of feigned lips.

Psalm 31:2
Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.

Psalm 116:2
Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call uponhim as long as I live.

that is made in this place.

may Your eyes be open
This request for God's eyes to be open signifies a desire for divine attention and care. In the ancient Near Eastern context, gods were often depicted as having eyes that could see the affairs of humans. Solomon's plea is for God to be actively watching over His people, similar to the assurance given inPsalm 121:4, where God is described as one who neither slumbers nor sleeps.

and Your ears attentive
The plea for God's ears to be attentive underscores the importance of prayer and communication with God. It reflects the belief that God is not distant but is willing to listen to the cries of His people. This is echoed inPsalm 34:15, which states that the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their cry.

to the prayer offered in this place
"This place" refers to the newly constructed temple in Jerusalem, which Solomon has dedicated as a house of prayer. The temple serves as a central place of worship and sacrifice, symbolizing God's dwelling among His people. This concept is further developed in the New Testament, where Jesus refers to His body as the temple (John 2:19-21), and believers are described as the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). Solomon's dedication of the temple foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment of God's presence with His people through Christ.

• Solomon has concluded his dedication prayer for the temple and immediately pivots to the present moment. Emphasizing “Now” makes the request urgent and personal, much likePsalm 70:1, “Make haste, O God, to deliver me!”.

• This word also signals a transition from praise to petition, reminding us that worship naturally flows into asking God to act, as seen inPhilippians 4:6 where thanksgiving and supplication stand side by side.

• Solomon addresses the Lord in covenant language, echoingExodus 6:7, “I will take you as My own people, and I will be your God”.

• By saying “My God,” Solomon confesses personal trust while representing the entire nation, much like David does inPsalm 63:1.

• The phrase underscores relationship over ritual. Though the temple is magnificent, communion with the living God is central (Jeremiah 24:7).

• In Scripture, God’s “eyes” symbolize His watchful care (Psalm 33:18). Solomon longs for ongoing, not occasional, divine attention.

• The temple will stand as a visible reminder that God sees His people (2 Chronicles 7:15 repeats this promise).

• For believers today, this points to1 Peter 3:12: “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous”, assuring that God remains vigilant over His own.

• Solomon couples sight with hearing, seeking full divine engagement.Proverbs 15:29 affirms, “He hears the prayer of the righteous”.

• InIsaiah 59:1, God declares His ear “not too dull to hear,” making clear that any barrier to answered prayer lies with human sin, not divine indifference.

• The phrase reminds us that God’s responsiveness is relational; He delights to listen, as Jesus later assures inMatthew 7:7–11.

• “This place” refers to the newly completed temple, the focal point for national worship (1 Kings 8:29).

• Solomon is aligning with God’s promise inDeuteronomy 12:11, where He chose a dwelling for His Name.

• While location mattered under the old covenant, Christ shifts the focus to Himself as the ultimate temple (John 2:19–21). Therefore, wherever God’s people gather in Christ’s name, He still hears (Matthew 18:20).

• Key takeaway: God designates meeting points so His people know where to turn in times of need.

Solomon’s plea in2 Chronicles 6:40 weaves intimacy, urgency, and covenant faithfulness into one sentence. He asks his personal God to stay alert and responsive, especially in the place God Himself chose for communion. The verse assures that the Lord who sees and hears remains eager to engage with His people when they pray, both then in the temple and now through Christ, the truest meeting place with God.

(40)Let, I beseech thee, thine eyes be open.--Comp.2Chronicles 6:20,supr., and2Chronicles 7:15; also1Kings 8:52.

Andlet thine ears be attent.--Attentive, listening (qas's'-both). The same phrase recurs (2Chronicles 7:15), which is, in fact, a repetition of the whole verse in the shape of a Divine promise,Qas's'-both occurs, besides, only in the latePsalm 130:2. . . .

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