2 Chronicles 6:41

(41) Now therefore arise, O Lord God, into thy resting place.—The two verses (2Ch_6:41-42) are slightly altered from Psa_132:8-10. It would seem that the chronicler selected them as forming a more natural and appropriate conclusion to the Prayer of Dedication than that which he found in the older account. The aptness of the quotation may be admitted, without assuming that “for want of this summons to take possession of the sanctuary, the point of the whole prayer is wanting in Kings” (Zöckler). The peroration of 1Ki_8:50-53 is quite natural, though different; the closing thoughts being a return to those with which the prayer began, so that the prayer forms a well-rounded whole, and the suggestion of a lacuna is out of place. There is no difficulty in this view; the difficulty lies rather in maintaining the originality of these verses here. (Comp. the free adaptation of several late Psalms in the Hymn of Praise in 1Ch_16:8, sqq.) The versification of the original psalm is neglected here, as there.

(41) Now therefore.—And now added by chronicler.

O Lord God.—Iahweh ’ĕlôhîm. This rare divine title occurs thrice in these two verses, but nowhere else in the prayer. The chronicler uses it as least eight times, but it does not appear at all in the books of Kings. In the Psalm we read simply Iahweh.

Into thy resting place.—Nûah. A late word, found besides only in Est_9:16-18 (nôah). In the Psalm it is mĕnûhâh, a common word.

The idea that the sanctuary is God’s resting-place is not in keeping with the spirit of the prayer. (Comp. 2Ch_6:18; and the frequent expression, “Hear Thou from heaven thy dwelling place.”)

Let thy priests, O Lord God.—Psa_132:9. The Divine name is added here.

Salvation.—Or, prosperity. The psalm has, “with righteousness;” but the other idea occurs a little after in 2Ch_6:16.

Rejoice in goodness.—Be glad at the good. A paraphrase of “shout for joy” in the psalm.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

2Ch 6:41 Now therefore arise, O LORD God, into thy resting place, thou, and the ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness.

Ver. 41. Now therefore arise, O Lord God.] Surge, age, Summe Pater: thus he inviteth the Lord to take possession of the temple, his resting place, where his ark should be no more transported, but settled for a long season.

Let thy priests, O Lord God, be clothed with salvation.] Ut plane pleneque sint sani et salvi, that they may save themselves, and those that hear them. The psalmist hath it, "Let thy priests, O Lord, be clothed with righteousness," both imputed and imparted: these are called "the righteousnesses of the saints." {Rev 19:8} Let them be both justified and sanctified, adorned with holiness as with a garment. {Isa 61:10} The priests, who were daily conversant in the temple, had their peculiar vestments, which foreshadowed different virtues. Solomon therefore prayeth that they may be eminent in the gifts and graces of the Spirit: immo ut circumvallentur et cireummuniantur salutaribus Dei beneficiis, ut vestimento corpus; { a} yea, that God would "compass them about with his favour," not only "as with a shield," {Psa 5:12} but as with a garment, which sitteth close to the body, and is to it both integumentum, ornamentum et munimentum; whence also it is called garment, q., gardment, as some hold. See more, Psa 132:8-10, which is the same almost with this, and is therefore thought to have been made by Solomon.

{a} Jun.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

2Ch 6:41. Arise, O Lord, into thy resting-place, &c. — Thus he concludes his prayer with some expressions borrowed from one of his father’s Psalms, namely, Psalms 132. The whole word of God in general, and the Psalms in particular, are of use to direct us in prayer: and how can we express ourselves in better language to God, than in that of his own Spirit? But these words were peculiarly proper and suitable to be expressed now, because they had a reference to this very occasion on which Solomon used them. And, in quoting them, he prays that God would take and keep possession of the temple for himself, and make it, as it were, his resting- place, where he would continue to dwell. Thou, and the ark of thy strength — Thou, in and by the ark, which is the sign and instrument of thy great power, put forth from time to time in behalf of thy people. Let thy priests be clothed with salvation — Let them be saved from their sins, restored to thy favour and image, and be encompassed on every side with thy protection and benediction. And let thy saints rejoice in goodness — Let them have cause of rejoicing and thanksgiving for the effects of thy goodness imparted to them.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

6:41-42 Solomon’s prayer concludes with the quotation of a psalm (Ps 132:8-10). This prayer was the final part of transferring the Ark to its place in the Temple. Prayers with psalms had also accompanied David’s transfer of the Ark to Jerusalem (1 Chr 16:7-36); Solomon’s use of a psalm recalls the time when the Ark was first brought to its proper place. • God is called to arise, not to war (cp. Num 10:35) but to his resting place in the Temple.

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

That is, into thy Temple.

Let them be preserved by thy power, and made virtuous and holy.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

arise, O Lord God into thy resting-place--These words are not found in the record of this prayer in the First Book of Kings; but they occur in Psa 132:8, which is generally believed to have been composed by David, or rather by Solomon, in reference to this occasion. "Arise" is a very suitable expression to be used when the ark was to be removed from the tabernacle in Zion to the temple on Mount Moriah.

into thy resting-place--the temple so called (Isa 66:1), because it was a fixed and permanent mansion (Psa 132:14).

the ark of thy strength--the abode by which Thy glorious presence is symbolized, and whence Thou dost issue Thine authoritative oracles, and manifest Thy power on behalf of Thy people when they desire and need it. It might well be designated the ark of God's strength, because it was through means of it the mighty miracles were wrought and the brilliant victories were won, that distinguish the early annals of the Hebrew nation. The sight of it inspired the greatest animation in the breasts of His people, while it diffused terror and dismay through the ranks of their enemies (compare Psa 78:61).

let thy priests . . . be clothed with salvation--or with righteousness (Psa 132:9), that is, be equipped not only with the pure white linen garments Thou hast appointed for their robe of office, but also adorned with the moral beauties of true holiness, that their person and services may be accepted, both for themselves and all the people. Thus they would be "clothed with salvation," for that is the effect and consequence of a sanctified character.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 41. Let thy saints rejoice in goodness] "In the abundance of the tithes and other goods which shall be given to the Levites, as their reward for keeping the ark, and singing before it." - Jarchi.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

41. Now therefore arise] This whole ver. corresponds (with some variation of reading) with 2Ch_6:8-9 of Psalms 132.

the ark of thy strength] This appellation of the ark perhaps refers to its use in war; cp. 1Sa_4:3; 1Sa_4:6-7.

with salvation] i.e. with victory. In Psa_132:9, with righteousness. The thought in Chron. and in Psalms 132. is the same, for through victory the human victor receives salvation (i.e. deliverance from the enemy), and the Divine Giver of victory asserts His righteousness (i.e. by giving victory to the right).

thy saints] i.e. thy people Israel; cp. Psa_79:2; Psa_149:5. So in the N.T. the Christians as a body are spoken of as “saints” and “sanctified.”

rejoice in goodness] Render (with R.V. mg.) rejoice in good, i.e. in prosperity. In Psalms 132. shout for joy.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Now, therefore. This is taken from Psalm cxxxi. 8, 9, 10., (Menochius) almost word for word. We do not find that Solomon spoke this, 3 Kings. (Calmet) --- Place: literally, "rest." (Haydock) --- Come, O Lord, and dwell here. --- Strength, by which thy wonders shine forth, and thy enemies are dismayed. The ark is styled the strength of Israel, Psalm lxxvii. 61., and lxii. 3.; and in the parallel passage we read, Thou and the ark of they sanctification, or sanctuary, which is its highest ornament, and which thou hast sanctified, or required to be treated with respect. --- Salvation, or justice, (Psalm cxxxi.) which is the surest method of obtaining happiness.

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

O thou that sittest in the heavens. arise from the throne of thy glory, and come down into this place, which thou hast appointed for thy constant and fixed habitation, from which thou wilt not remove, as formerly thou hast done, from place to place.

Thou and the ark, i.e. thou in the ark.

Of thy strength; which is the sign and instrument of thy great power put forth from time to time on the behalf of thy people.

Let thy priests, O Lord God, be clothed with salvation, i.e. let them be adorned and encompassed on every side with thy protection and benediction. For he seems rather to speak of the salvation afforded to the priests, than of that which by God’s blessing on the priests’ labours is conferred upon the people; this being a prayer for God’s blessing upon the whole community, consisting of priests and people.

Let thy saints rejoice in goodness, i.e. let them have cause of rejoicing and thanksgiving for the effects of thy goodness imparted unto them.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Arise - O thou that sittest in the heavens, arise from the throne of thy glory, and come down into this place, which thou hast appointed for thy constant habitation, from which thou wilt not remove, as formerly thou hast done, from place to place. And the ark - Thou in the ark. Thy strength - Which is the sign and instrument of thy great power put forth from time to time on the behalf of thy people. Salvation - Let them be encompassed on every side with thy protection and benediction.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

And now, arise, O Lord so as not to have to move as until now, from Shiloh to Nob and from Nob to Gibeon.

You and the Ark of Your might that it will no longer move from now on.

Your might Because of the following it is called “Your might”: because it performed wonders and mighty deeds among the Philistines. And so it is written above (I Chron 16:8-36): “Give thanks to the Lord,” “Search for the Lord and His might.” Our Sages stated further in Tractate Abodah Zarah 24b (I Sam. 6:12): “And the cows sang.” What song did they recite? They said, (Ps. 98:1) “His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory.”

shall be attired with salvation because they will not wander from place to place, like (Isa. 11:5): “And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins.”

and Your pious ones shall rejoice with the goodness with the abundance of goodness and tithes that will be given to the Levites as reward for guarding the Ark and singing before it.

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.