Chapter VII.
1–3 (not in 1 Kings).
The Sacrifices consumed by Fire from Heaven.
¹Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the house.
1. the fire came down from heaven] As the discovery of the spot, approved by Jehovah, for the site of the Temple was ratified by the sign of fire from heaven (see 1 Chronicles xxi. 26, note), so tradition or the Chronicler thought that the conclusion of the dedication must have been marked by the same sign of Divine favour.
consumed the burnt offering] Compare Leviticus ix. 24; 1 Kings xviii. 38.
²And the priests could not enter into the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord filled the Lord’s house. ³And all the children of Israel looked on, when the fire came down, and the glory of the Lord was upon the house; and they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and gave thanks unto the Lord, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
2. the priests could not enter] Compare v. 14.
4–10 (= 1 Kings viii. 62–66).
The Great Feast of Dedication.
⁴Then the king and all the people offered sacrifice before the Lord. ⁵And king Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty and two thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.
5. twenty and two thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep] These high numbers appear also in 1 Kings.