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After the festivities, God responds in a night vision to Solomon’s prayer. He assures the king that he will hear prayers offered toward the temple. Regarding Solomon’s concern for the people, God declares that he will restore them and the land after a time of distress if they humbly and actively seek him (vv.13-16). V.14 is a key to interpreting the later history of the nation as it rebels, repents, and is returned. (Note these terms in other parts of the chronicler’s work. “Humble themselves”—2Ch 12:6-7, 12; 30:11; 32:26; 33:12, 19, 23; 36:12. “Pray”—2Ch 32:20, 24; 33:13. “Seek my face”—2Ch 11:16; 15:4, 15; 20:4. “Turn”—2Ch 15:4; 30:6, 9; 36:13.) This section about God’s people is unique to Chronicles and emphasizes one of its important themes. The parallel passage, 1Ki 9:2-9, deals only with dynastic concerns. The text also calls the chronicler’s contemporaries and later generations to respond with humility to receive divine deliverance from judgment. These verses emphasize again the dynamic nature of the divine and human relationship.
God asserts that Solomon is responsible to assure the continuance of David’s dynasty (vv.17-18). He will continue to rule as David’s son if he continues to be faithful to the Lord.
God promises judgment for unfaithfulness (vv.19-22). The Hebrew text has plural “you,” referring to Solomon and the entire nation. Exile will come for serving other deities. The Lord will make the temple, intended as a sign of hope to Israel and all nations, into an object of ridicule. People who see the devastation of this glorious edifice will learn about the disastrous results of forsaking the God of the temple. The hope is that this warning will deter disobedience. People in exile may enjoy forgiveness and return if they seek the Lord; those in the land may avoid punishment altogether by obedience. The postexilic community, newly planted in the land, could affirm that God granted Solomon’s request for forgiveness for humble, exiled people.