(3) Upon the pavement.--Ricp?h; rendered by the LXX. ?? ???????????, which is the word used in John 19:13; Vulg., "pavimentum stratum lapide." (Comp. Ezekiel 40:17-18; Esther 1:6, a tesselated pavement.)

And praised.--Gave thanks to Jehovah. The infinitive is here used for the finite form of the verb, as elsewhere.

For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.--See 1Chronicles 16:34-41; 1Chronicles 23:30; 2Chronicles 5:13; 2Chronicles 20:21. The Syriac and Arabic paraphrase, "and they said one to another: Give thanks to the Lord," &c. There is hardly anything in the section, except this last phrase, which can be said to be characteristic of the style of the chronicler.

Verse 3. - For he is good (so 2 Chronicles 5:13; 1 Chronicles 16:34).

7:1-22 God's answer to Solomon's prayer. - God gave a gracious answer to Solomon's prayer. The mercies of God to sinners are made known in a manner well suited to impress all who receive them, with his majesty and holiness. The people worshipped and praised God. When he manifests himself as a consuming Fire to sinners, his people can rejoice in him as their Light. Nay, they had reason to say, that God was good in this. It is of the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, but the sacrifice in our stead, for which we should be very thankful. And whoever beholds with true faith, the Saviour agonizing and dying for man's sin, will, by that view, find his godly sorrow enlarged, his hatred of sin increased, his soul made more watchful, and his life more holy. Solomon prosperously effected all he designed, for adorning both God's house and his own. Those who begin with the service of God, are likely to go on successfully in their own affairs. It was Solomon's praise, that what he undertook, he went through with; it was by the grace of God that he prospered in it. Let us then stand in awe, and sin not. Let us fear the Lord's displeasure, hope in his mercy, and walk in his commandments.And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down,.... From heaven upon the sacrifice, and consumed it, which was all visible to the eye; or it may be this was a distinct fire from the former, since it seems to have come down upon the house, and so may denote a bright, shining, glorious light; the same with what follows:

and the glory of the Lord upon the house; for not only the house was filled with the glory, but there was a bright stream of light and glory over it, very dazzling and surprising:

they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement; of the great court, where they were assembled:

and worshipped and praised the Lord: worshipped him by praising him:

saying, for he is good; in his nature, promises, and blessings; is good, and does good:

for his mercy endureth for ever; this was the close of their song of praise.