2 Chronicles – Chapter 5

Old Testament14 Verses

Chapter Summary

2 Chronicles 5 opens with the words: "Then Solomon brought in all those things that David his father had vowed, the silver, and the gold, and all the vessels he put among the…" The chapter centers on Solomon, David and Moses. Across its 14 verses, two threads run through the text: worship and praise and family and covenant relationships. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1Then Solomon brought in all those things that David his father had vowed, the silver, and the gold, and all the vessels he put among the treasures of the house of God.

2And after this he gathered together the ancients of Israel and all the princes of the tribes, and the heads of the families, of the children of Israel to Jerusalem, to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the city of David, which is Sion.

3And all the men of Israel came to the king in the solemn day of the seventh month.

4And when all the ancients of Israel were come, the Levites took up the ark,

5And brought it in, together with all the furniture of the tabernacle. And the priests with the Levites carried the vessels of the sanctuary, which were in the tabernacle.

6And king Solomon and all the assembly of Israel and all that were gathered together before the ark, sacrificed rams, and oxen without number: so great was the multitude of the victims.

7And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the Lord into its place, that is, to the oracle of the temple, into the holy of holies under the wings of the cherubims:

8So that the cherubims spread their wings over the place, in which the ark was set, and covered the ark itself and its staves.

9Now the ends of the staves wherewith the ark was carried, because they were some thing longer, were seen before the oracle: but if a man were a little outward, he could not see them. So the ark has been there unto this day.

10And there was nothing else in the ark but the two tables which Moses put there at Horeb when the Lord gave the law to the children of Israel, at their coming out of Egypt.

11Now when the priests were come out of the sanctuary, for all the priests that could be found there, were sanctified: and as yet at that time the courses and orders of the ministries were not divided among them,

12Both the Levites and the singing men, that is, both they that were under Asaph, and they that were under Heman, and they that were under Idithun, with their sons, and their brethren, clothed with fine linen, sounded with cymbals, and psalteries, and harps, standing on the east side of the altar, and with them a hundred and twenty priests, sounding with trumpets.

13So when they all sounded together, both with trumpets, and voice, and cymbals, and organs, and with divers kind of musical instruments, and lifted up their voice on high: the sound was heard afar off, so that when they began to praise the Lord, and to say: Give glory to the Lord for he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever: the house of God was filled with a cloud.

14Nor could the priests stand and minister by reason of the cloud. For the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God.

Important Verses in 2 Chronicles 5

Then Solomon brought in all those things that David his father had vowed, the silver, and the gold, and all the vessels he put among the treasures of the house of God.

2 Chronicles 5:1

And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the Lord into its place, that is, to the oracle of the temple, into the holy of holies under the wings of the cherubims:

2 Chronicles 5:7

And there was nothing else in the ark but the two tables which Moses put there at Horeb when the Lord gave the law to the children of Israel, at their coming out of Egypt.

2 Chronicles 5:10

Nor could the priests stand and minister by reason of the cloud. For the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God.

2 Chronicles 5:14

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, 2 Chronicles was written with the restored community, urged to keep worship pure and hearts humble in view. Chapter 5 of 36 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 14 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on Solomon, David and Moses, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. The chapter begins: "Then Solomon brought in all those things that David his father had vowed, the silver, and the gold, and all the vessels…" The final verse reads: "Nor could the priests stand and minister by reason of the cloud. For the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God. " The wider setting of 2 Chronicles is this: Second Chronicles spans from Solomon's Temple to the decree of Cyrus allowing the exiles to return home. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: After the return from exile, around 400-350 BC.

Who Wrote It

Traditionally attributed to Ezra ('the Chronicler')

When It Was Written

After the return from exile, around 400-350 BC

Catholic Commentary

In this 14-verse narrative, the sacred author records events that advance the story of Temple worship and Judah's kings. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Then Solomon brought in all those things that David his father had vowed, the silver, and the gold, and all the vessels he put among the treasures of the house…" The passage repeatedly touches on worship and praise.

Catholic exegesis reads 2 Chronicles 5 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. the Temple liturgy prefigures the Church's worship (CIC 1093). St. Bede the Venerable and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 1362).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that True worship requires a pure heart. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, 2 Chronicles 5 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • God binds Himself to His people by covenant, and He never breaks His word.

People in This Chapter

Solomon2 mentionsDavid2 mentionsMoses1 mention

Reflection for Today

Catholic exegesis approaches 2 Chronicles Chapter 5 with reverence, seeking both the literal sense and the spiritual meaning ordered to Christ.

Catholic theology recognizes that Temple worship and Judah's kings is not an abstract idea but a reality encountered in prayer, sacraments, and charity. This chapter contributes to that vision by stressing participation in Christ's priestly office through Baptism.

May your reading of 2 Chronicles Chapter 5 become true lectio divina: read the words, meditate on their meaning, respond in prayer, and rest in God's presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to show how True worship requires a pure heart applies to your life today.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 2 Chronicles Chapter 5 about?

2 Chronicles 5 contains 14 verses. It opens with "Then Solomon brought in all those things that David his father had vowed, the silver, and the gold, and all the vessels…" and closes with "Nor could the priests stand and minister by reason of the cloud. For the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God. ". The book as a whole is historical narrative.

What is a key verse in 2 Chronicles 5?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Then Solomon brought in all those things that David his father had vowed, the silver, and the gold, and all the vessels he put among the treasures of the house of God." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in 2 Chronicles Chapter 5?

This chapter mentions Solomon, David, Moses.

Who wrote 2 Chronicles and when?

Traditionally attributed to Ezra ('the Chronicler'). After the return from exile, around 400-350 BC.

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