All things bear record · 2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles 6

2 witnesses of Christ here, and 5 further echoes from the reading.

Jehovah

And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who hath with his hands fulfilled that which he spake with his mouth to my father David, saying, 2 Chronicles 6:4–6

Solomon quotes Jehovah's own words: He brought Israel out of Egypt and chose Jerusalem as the place for His name. The LORD who speaks and keeps His word is the premortal Christ.

AttestedJehovah — the LORDHe speaks in the first person

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

The son of David who builds the house

But the LORD said to David my father, Forasmuch as it was in thine heart to build an house for my name, thou didst well in that it was in thine heart: 2 Chronicles 6:8–9

Jehovah's promise that David's son would build His house was fulfilled first in Solomon, but the prophets also foretold a greater Son of David, the Branch, who would build the temple of the LORD. Jesus is that Son, and His house is His people and kingdom.

A readingProphecy or typeA prophecy of Him
  • alludes to 2 Samuel 7:12-13 — Nathan's original promise of a son who shall build a house for the LORD's name.
  • a type of what is in Zechariah 6:12-13 — 'The man whose name is The BRANCH ... he shall build the temple of the LORD.'
  • a type of what is in Hebrews 3:6 — 'Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we.'

Jehovah

And said, O LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee in the heaven, nor in the earth; which keepest covenant, and shewest mercy unto thy servants, that walk before thee with all their hearts: 2 Chronicles 6:14–15

Solomon kneels and prays to the covenant-keeping, merciful LORD God of Israel, Jehovah, the premortal Jesus Christ.

AttestedJehovah — the LORDA divine name

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

  • a parallel account in 1 Kings 8:23 — Same opening of the prayer.

The everlasting heir of David's throne

Now therefore, O LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that which thou hast promised him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit upon the throne of Israel; yet so that thy children take heed to their way to walk in my law, as thou hast walked before me. 2 Chronicles 6:16–17

Jehovah promised David an heir on the throne. The kings of Judah failed, but the promise was finally and forever kept in Jesus Christ, born of David's line, whose kingdom has no end.

A readingProphecy or typeA prophecy of Him
  • a parallel account in 1 Kings 8:25 — Same petition in Kings.
  • alluded to by Jeremiah 33:17 — 'David shall never want a man to sit upon the throne of the house of Israel.'
  • fulfilled by Luke 1:32-33 — Jesus receives 'the throne of his father David' and reigns forever.

Emmanuel

Emmanuel — God with us

But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built! 2 Chronicles 6:18

Solomon marvels that the God of heaven would dwell with men on earth. That question is answered most fully in Jesus Christ, Jehovah Himself, who came to earth and 'dwelt among us.'

A readingEchoAn echo of Him
  • a parallel account in 1 Kings 8:27 — Same question in Kings.
  • fulfilled by John 1:14 — 'The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.'

Jehovah, who hears and forgives

Hearken therefore unto the supplications of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, which they shall make toward this place: hear thou from thy dwelling place, even from heaven; and when thou hearest, forgive. 2 Chronicles 6:21–39

Again and again Solomon asks the LORD to hear His repentant people and forgive them. The Jehovah who forgives sin is the premortal Christ, whose Atonement is what makes that forgiveness possible.

A readingJehovah — the LORDA divine name
  • a parallel account in 1 Kings 8:30 — 'Hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place: and when thou hearest, forgive.'

Messiah (the Anointed)

Messiah — the Anointed One (Hebrew mashiach; Greek Christos)

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. 2 Chronicles 6:41–42

'Thine anointed' is the Hebrew word Messiah. Here it means the king of David's line, but the title and 'the mercies of David' point beyond Solomon to Jesus the Christ, the Anointed One, through whom priests are 'clothed with salvation.'

A readingProphecy or typeA title of Christ
  • quotes Psalm 132:8-10 — Solomon's closing words are taken from this psalm, including 'turn not away the face of thine anointed.'
  • the same title in Psalm 132:17 — 'I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.'