⁴¹Now 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 goodness¹. ¹ Or, _good_. =41.= _Now therefore arise_] This whole verse corresponds (with some variation of reading) with verses 8, 9 of Psalm cxxxii. For the invocation to arise, compare Numbers x. 35, the ancient chant of the Ark. _the ark of thy strength_] This appellation of the Ark refers to its use in war; compare 1 Samuel iv. 3, 6, 7. _with salvation_] i.e. with victory. In Psalms cxxxii. 9, _with righteousness_. The thought in Chronicles and in Psalms cxxxii. 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 regarded as faithful worshippers of Jehovah; compare Psalms lxxix. 2, Psalms cxlix. 5. So in the New Testament the Christians as a body are spoken of as “saints” and “sanctified.” _rejoice in goodness_] Render (with margin), =rejoice in good=, i.e. in prosperity. In Psalms cxxxii. 9, _shout for joy_. ⁴²O LORD God, turn not away the face of thine anointed; remember the mercies¹ of David thy servant. ¹ Or, _good deeds_ See chapter xxxii. 32. =42.= _turn not away_] Compare Psalms cxxxii. 10. _remember the mercies of David_] i.e. _either_ show David’s son the mercies thou didst show to David himself (Isaiah lv. 3), _or_ (as margin), remember the good deeds, or “mercies” (so also xxxii. 32), which David did, and reward his son. 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.