Praise the Lord Jesus Christ, please study this chapter and then answer all 57 questions at the end of this chapter.

1 Kings Chapter 8

Verses 1-21 (see 2 Chron. 5:2-6:11).

1 Kings 8:1 ” Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto king Solomon in Jerusalem, that they might bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which [is] Zion.”

“Elders … heads”: The “elders” of Israel were respected men who were in charge of local government and justice throughout Israel (Exodus 18:13-26; Num. 11:16-30; 1 Sam. 8:1-9). They advised the king on important matters of state (1 Sam. 15:30; 2 Sam. 17:5; 1 Kings 12:6-11). The “heads” of the tribes or “leaders” were the oldest living males within each extended family unit. They were the ones responsible for learning the law and leading their families to obey it.

“Zion” was the hill that David took from the Jebusites, but later the name was applied to the temple area northward, in “the City of David”, Jerusalem. Solomon first assembled the leaders of Israel before addressing the “assembly of Israel” for the temple dedication (see 2 Sam. 7:12-13).

Solomon had possibly heard David tell of the problem they encountered when they moved the Ark to Jerusalem. Notice the elders, heads of the tribes, and the fathers of the children of Israel. We see that the Ark would be moved with great celebration. This is not really moving it out of Jerusalem, which is also known as Zion. This is the greatest event in their lives. They will be moving the Ark into the Holy of Holies in the temple. The Ark was called the Ark of the Covenant, because of the Ten Commandments carved on stone that were inside the Ark.

1 Kings 8:2 “And all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto king Solomon at the feast in the month Ethanim, which [is] the seventh month.”

During the “feast” mentioned here, the Feast of Tabernacles (Lev. 23:33-43), the Israelites lived in temporary shelters to commemorate God’s miraculous provision in their journey to the Promised Land.

“Seventh month”: Solomon finished building the temple in the eighth month of the previous year (6:38; see 2 Chron. 5:1). All its detail signifying the magnificence and beauty of God’s nature and His transcendent and uncommon glory. The celebration, then, did not take place until 11 months later. Apparently, Solomon intentionally scheduled the dedication of the temple to coincide with the Feast of Booths or Tabernacles held in the seventh month, when there would be a general assembly of the people in Jerusalem. That was also a Jubilee year, so it was especially appropriate (Lev. 23:33-36, 39-43; Deut. 16:13-15).

This seventh month is spoken of without telling us which year it was. This feast is probably the Feast of Tabernacles, that all of the males were required to attend. Ethanim or the seventh month would be the same as our October.

Verses 3-8: Just as God had prescribed, the “priests” carried the Ark using long “poles” that passed through rings on its sides (Num. 7:9). This reflects God’s utter holiness, His separateness. No one can approach Him except on the conditions He sets. The priests kept the people from touching the Ark, an act that would lead to death (2 Sam. 6:7). Contrast this with the access God’s people have to Him today, through Jesus Christ (Heb. 10:19-22).

1 Kings 8:3 “And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.”

To Zion, the city of David.

“And the priests took up the Ark; from thence”: In (2 Chron. 5:4), it is said the Levites did it, whose business it was (Deut. 31:25). And so the priests might be called; for every priest was a Levite, though every Levite was not a priest. And the priests did at all times bear the Ark (see Joshua 3:15).

We know how important it is for no one except the priests, to touch the Ark. Even they must do this with staves run through hoops, so that they will not actually touch the Ark. The elders accompanied but the priests carried it.

Verses 4-6: “Brought up the Ark”: The Ark of the Covenant was transported by the priests and the Levites from the tent that David had made for it in Jerusalem (2 Sam. 6:17). They also brought to the temple the tabernacle and all its furnishings which had been located at Gibeon (2 Chron. 1:2-6). The Ark was placed into the Most Holy Place (verse 6).

1 Kings 8:4 “And they brought up the ark of the LORD, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and all the holy vessels that [were] in the tabernacle, even those did the priests and the Levites bring up.”

For the significance of the Ark of the Covenant (see the note on 6:16-22). Although the Ark was now in permanent residence, the final abiding presence of God among His people would not occur here in Solomon’s temple (Ezek. 10:18-19; 11:22-23). The chronicler reports that the bringing in of the Ark was accompanied by great rejoicing, praise, and song (2 Chron. 5:11-13).

God had set aside the Levitical tribe to care for the Ark and the things in the tabernacle. Each thing must be carried by those who are dedicated to the LORD for that purpose. Each thing must be handled with utmost care. All of the vessels in the tabernacle had been dedicated to the LORD. They must be handled by those, who the LORD has designated.

1 Kings 8:5 “And king Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel, that were assembled unto him, [were] with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen, that could not be told nor numbered for multitude.”

On this solemn occasion.

“Were with him before the Ark”: While it was in the court of the priests, before it was carried into the Most Holy Place.

“Sacrificing sheep and oxen, that could not be told nor numbered for multitude”: The phrase seems to be hyperbolical, and designed to denote a great number.

This sacrificing along the way was to show their gratitude to God for giving them the Ark (which symbolized His presence with them). The sacrifices were thank offerings. They sacrificed so many animals along the way that they lost count of how many.

1 Kings 8:6 “And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD unto his place, into the oracle of the house, to the most holy [place, even] under the wings of the cherubims.”

Destined for it, the like to which it had in the tabernacle.

“Into the oracle of the house, to the Most Holy Place”: That part of the house where the divine oracle was, the Holy of Holies. For though into it none but the High Priest might enter, and he but once a year; yet in case of necessity, as for the repair of it, which the Jews gather from hence, other priests might enter, as was the case now. A High Priest could not carry in the Ark himself, and therefore it was necessary to employ others; and besides, as yet the divine Majesty had not taken up his residence in it.

“Even under the wings of the cherubim”: The large ones which Solomon had made (1 Kings 6:23), not those of Moses.

The lesson we studied on the cherubims in the Holy of Holies, told us that the entire wall was covered with the wings of the cherubims. The Ark containing the Ten Commandments would be placed just before the cherubims. The mercy seat covered the Ark. We must remember that everything in the Holy of Holies was pure gold, or 24 karat gold overlaid, because it was in the presence of God.

1 Kings 8:7 “For the cherubims spread forth [their] two wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubims covered the ark and the staves thereof above.”

“Staves”: God had originally commanded that staves or poles be used to carry the Ark (Exodus 25:13-15). They were left protruding to serve as a guide so the High Priest could be guided by them when he entered the dark inner sanctuary.

This is saying they actually hovered over the ark. The main thing they did was to keep curious eyes from seeing the Ark. No one was allowed into the Holy of Holies but the High Priest.

1 Kings 8:8 “And they drew out the staves, that the ends of the staves were seen out in the holy [place] before the oracle, and they were not seen without: and there they are unto this day.”

“Unto this day”: The phrase is used from the perspective of one who lived and wrote before the destruction of the temple (in 586 B.C.). The writer of 1 Kings incorporated such sources into his book (9:13, 21; 10:12; 12:19).

The staves were not to be removed from the Ark. This possibly means they were brought forward, and someone saw them. Perhaps the reason for the staves being removed would mean that the Ark is now in its home to stay. It will not go forth anymore.

1 Kings 8:9 “[There was] nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb, when the LORD made [a covenant] with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.”

“The Ark” contained only the “two tablets of stone” that communicated the “covenant” God made with His people (Deut. 9:9; 10:1-5, 8); and Ten Commandments (see note on Exodus 32:15-16).

“Two tables of stone”: At this time, the Ark of the Covenant contained only the two tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments. The pot of manna (Exodus 16:33), and Aaron’s rod that budded (Num. 17:10), were no longer in the Ark (see Hebrews 9:4).

Earlier the Ark had contained the manna, the tables of the covenant, and the rod of Aaron that bloomed. The manna and the rod of Aaron were probably lost, when the Ark was taken by Israel’s enemies, the Philistines, in battle. There was no monetary value to the two tables of stones, so the Philistines would not have taken them. The manna was in a pot of gold however, and the rod would have been usable as well.

Verses 10-12: As “the glory of the Lord had filled” the tabernacle at its inauguration (Exodus 40:34-35), so also it fills the temple. Rabbinic scholars spoke of the visible presence of God’s dwelling with His people as the Shekinah glory. The Shekinah glory had been with Israel at Sinai, had gone with them through the wilderness wanderings, and had led them into the Promised Land. Although it would later leave the temple (Ezek. 10:18-19), it would return to the millennial temple (Ezek. 43:1-5), and to His redeemed people Israel (Isa. 4:5). However, before that future day, God again tabernacled among His people in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ (John 1:14), who, having secured man’s redemption, now dwells within the believer, whom He has taken into union with Himself (Col. 1:15-22, 27; 2:9-10). Ultimately all believers will enjoy God’s presence throughout all eternity (Rev. 21:2-3). Note that as “the glory of the Lord had filled” both tabernacle and temple at their inauguration, so the Holy Spirit came in visible power to the church at its inception (Acts 2:1-4).

The cloud symbolized God’s mystery, obscuring the view of Him. It also represented His nearness, He was present in a tangible way.

1 Kings 8:10 “And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy [place], that the cloud filled the house of the LORD,”

“The cloud”: the cloud was “the glory of the Lord” (verse 11), the visible symbol of God’s presence. It signaled the Lord’s approval of this new temple. A similar manifestation took place when the tabernacle was dedicated (Exodus 40:34-35; see note on Lev. 9:23).

This is actually speaking of the Most Holy Place. This is the same cloud that went with the Israelites during the wilderness wanderings. This meant that God had accepted this temple. He would generally be in the Holy of Holies, but this is speaking of His presence all through the temple.

1 Kings 8:11 “So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.”

Either through the darkness it first caused, or through the light that broke out of it, which was dazzling to them, or through the terror it struck their minds with. They could neither minister in the Holy Place, by offering incense there; and as for the Most Holy Place. None but the high priest could minister there, and that on one day only, or in the court of the priests; at the altar of burnt offerings.

“For the glory of the Lord had filled the house of the Lord”: A bright and glorious stream came forth from the cloud, and spread itself all over the house, and then took up its abode in the most Holy Place as in the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34).

The presence of the LORD was so great even in the Holy Place that the priests could not stand. The manifestation of the presence of the LORD had completely overcome them. They had been putting oil in the lamp, or another task of equal importance, when they were stopped ministering. No person can stand in the midst of the glory of the LORD. They will fall on their face in worship, as the priests did.

Verses 12-21: “Solomon’s” dedicatory address (2 Chron. 6:1-42), takes the form of praise to “God” for His faithfulness to His “people” and to the terms of the covenant with “David”. All that Solomon had accomplished had really been done by God’s hand (verse 15).

See (2 Chron. 6:1-11).

Verses 12-13: Solomon’s solemn declaration was addressed to the Lord. Solomon recognized the thick darkness as the manifestation of the Lord’s gracious presence among His people (Exodus 19:9; 20:21; Lev. 16:2), and affirmed that he had built the temple so that the Lord could dwell there in the glory of thick darkness.

1 Kings 8:12 “Then spake Solomon, The LORD said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.”

Perceived by this symbol that the Lord was come into his house to take up his dwelling in it. And then seeing the priests and people in consternation at it; spake the following words to their comfort.

“The Lord said that he would dwell in the thick darkness”: And now was fulfilling his promise, and therefore to be considered not as a token of his displeasure, but of his gracious presence. This was done for the greater awe of the divine Majesty, and to denote the darkness of the former dispensation. Reference may be had to (Leviticus 16:2), or rather this was now said by the Lord. That is, it appeared to be his resolution and determination to dwell in this manner; the Targum is “the Lord is pleased to cause his Shekinah or divine Majesty to dwell in Jerusalem, in the temple there. This was imitated by the Heathens; hence the Lacedemonians had a temple dedicated to Jupiter Scotitas, or the dark, as Pausanias relates. And the Indian Pagans to this day affect darkness in their temples, and are very careful that no light enters into them but by the door, which is commonly strait and low, and by little crevices in the windows.

Solomon was overwhelmed that the LORD had obviously accepted the house he had built. The smoke was so thick, that it looked like darkness. Solomon was aware the LORD was in the midst of the darkness.

1 Kings 8:13 “I have surely built thee a house to dwell in, a settled place for thee to abide in for ever.”

Turning himself from the priests and people, he quieted with a few words, he addressed the Lord; having built a house for him, for his worship and glory. With this view, that he might dwell in it, he was now, by the above token, fully assured it would be a habitation for him.

“A settled place for thee to abide in for ever”: Which is observed in distinction from the tabernacle of Moses, which was often removed from place to place, otherwise this did not continue forever. Though Solomon might hope it would, at least unto the times of the Messiah. And indeed such a building on this spot, for such use, did continue so long, excepting the interval of the seventy years’ captivity in Babylon.

As magnificent as the temple was, it was but an earthly house. Solomon’s desire was for the LORD to live with his people. The temple was just a place for the Ark to rest. God is omnipresent (everywhere all at the same time). He could not be contained in this temple. He is pleased that Solomon and His people have built the temple, but it cannot, and will not house the LORD in His entirety.

Verses 14-21: Solomon turned around from addressing the Lord and spoke to the assembly of Israel gathered at the temple. Solomon (in verses 15-19), rehearsed the story of (2 Sam. 7:12-16), and claimed that he, having built the temple, had become the fulfillment of God’s promise to this father David (verses 20-21). However, Solomon’s claim was premature because the Lord later appeared to him declaring the necessity of obedience for the establishment of Solomon’s throne (9:4-9), an obedience which would be lacking in Solomon (11:6, 9-10).

1 Kings 8:14 “And the king turned his face about, and blessed all the congregation of Israel: (and all the congregation of Israel stood;)”

He was before the altar (1 Kings 8:22), with his face to that first, and looking towards the Holy and the Most Holy Place, filled with the cloud and glory. And now he turned himself and stood with the altar behind him, and looking to the court of the people.

“And blessed all the congregation of Israel”: either blessed the Lord before them, or he prayed for blessings for them. Or congratulated them upon the Lord’s taking up his residence in the temple, which was so great an honor and favor to them.

“And all the congregation of Israel stood”: Ready to receive the king’s blessing, and in honor of him, and reverence to the divine Being. The Jews say that none might sit in the court but the kings of the house of David.

The congregation was in honor of the occasion. Solomon blessed the people.

1 Kings 8:15 “And he said, Blessed [be] the LORD God of Israel, which spake with his mouth unto David my father, and hath with his hand fulfilled [it], saying,”

All praise and glory, honor and blessing, be ascribed to the Lord; who had afresh shown himself to be Israel’s covenant God, by taking up his residence among them in the temple he had filled with his glory.

“Which spake with his mouth to David my father, and hath with his hand fulfilled it”: Who graciously promised him he should have a son that should build a house for him, and which he had by his power and providence faithfully performed. Or rather which spake concerning David, so Noldius; for God did not speak with his mouth to David, but to Nathan, of him.

“Saying”: As follows.

This praise to the LORD is spoken in front of Nathan and the people. David had been the beloved of the LORD. He did not allow David to build the temple, because he was a warrior. David had asked to build the temple and God fulfilled it in David’s son, Solomon.

1 Kings 8:16 “Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build a house, that my name might be therein; but I chose David to be over my people Israel.”

This was now, about four hundred and eighty eight years prior (see 1 Kings 6:1).

“I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build a house, that my name might be therein”: He had chosen one in his mind from all eternity; but he had not made known this choice, nor the place he had chosen. He gave hints by Moses, that there was a place which he should choose, or declare he had chosen to put his name in, but did not express it (Deut. 12:5). But now it was a clear case that he had chosen Jerusalem. And that was the city he always had in view (see 2 Chron. 6:6).

“But I chose David to be over my people Israel”: To be their king, and to him he gave the first hint of the place where the temple was to be built (1 Chron. 22:1). And he chose no man, and his family with him, before him, to rule over Israel, and be concerned in such a work (see 2 Chron. 6:5).

This is what the LORD had told David. God had not wanted them to have a king, but when they insisted on having a king like the other nations around them, so He gave them Saul. God was not pleased with Saul, because he did not obey the commandments of God. God sought out David to rule over his people. He was a man after God’s own heart. God was pleased with David, and God was with him as the ruler of all Israel.

1 Kings 8:17 “And it was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.”

His mind was disposed to it, his heart was set upon it, and he had taken up a resolution.

“To build a house for the name of the Lord God of Israel”: For his worship and service, for his honor and glory (2 Sam. 7:3).

David wanted to build the LORD God a house, but he was not allowed to, because he was a man of war. With as much conflict as there was, it would have been impossible for David to work on the temple. David desired this in his heart so greatly that God promised him he would let his son, Solomon, build the temple.

1 Kings 8:18 “And the LORD said unto David my father, Whereas it was in thine heart to build a house unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thine heart.”

By Nathan the prophet.

“Whereas it was in thine heart to build a house unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thine heart”: His design was good, and so far it was acceptable to the Lord, that he thought of such a thing, though it was not his pleasure that should do it, as follows.

1 Kings 8:19 “Nevertheless thou shalt not build the house; but thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house unto my name.”

This is implied in the question found in (2 Sam. 7:5).

“But thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house unto my name”: Which is expressed in (2 Sam. 7:12).

God knew that David loved Him with all his heart. He was very pleased at the condition of David’s heart.

1 Kings 8:20 “And the LORD hath performed his word that he spake, and I am risen up in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built a house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.”

To David, concerning his son’s building the temple.

“And I am risen up in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the Lord promised”: Succeeded him in the kingdom.

“And have built a house for the name of the Lord God of Israel”: The temple he had now finished; and thus the promise to David was punctually fulfilled, that he should have a son that should succeed him in the throne, and build the house of the Lord.

Absalom had actually sought to be king, but Solomon never did. Solomon did not even ask to be king. He, like David, was chosen of God for this purpose. He was a man of peace, and there was plenty of time to build the Ark a permanent home. Solomon was chosen by David to be king. He was not even aware of this until he heard Nathan calling him king. Solomon was not conceited. He knew it was the LORD’s love for David that put him into this position. He spoke of himself, as being as a little child in wisdom to lead the people. God miraculously endowed him with wisdom more than any other man of his time. God placed in the mind and heart of Solomon, the ability to build the temple.

1 Kings 8:21 “And I have set there a place for the ark, wherein [is] the covenant of the LORD, which he made with our fathers, when he brought them out of the land of Egypt.”

The Most Holy Place.

Wherein is the covenant of the Lord”: The two tables of stone, on which were the covenant of the Lord, as the Targum.

“Which he made with our fathers, when he brought them out of the land of Egypt”: As in (1 Kings 8:9).

The purpose of the temple was to house the Ark. This was to be a permanent dwelling place. The tables with the Ten Commandments had been received by Moses, while they were on the way to the Promised Land. God had given specific instructions on how to build the Ark to contain the commandments. This temple in Jerusalem would be the first permanent house for the Ark.

Verses 22-53 (see note on 2 Chron. 6:12-40). Solomon then moved to the altar of burnt offering to offer a lengthy prayer of consecration to the Lord. First, he affirmed that no god could compare to Israel’s God, the Lord (verses 23-24). Second, he asked the Lord for His continued presence and protection (verses 25-30). Third, he listed 7 typical Israelite prayers that would require the Lord’s response (verses 31-54). These supplications recalled the detailed list of curses that (Deut. 28:15-68), ascribed for the breaking of the law. Specifically, Solomon prayed that the Lord would judge between the wicked and the righteous (verses 31-32); the Lord would forgive the sins that had caused defeat in battle (verses 33-34); the Lord would forgive the sins that had brought on drought (verses 35-36); the Lord would forgive the sins that had resulted in national calamities (verses 37-40); The Lord would show mercy to God-fearing foreigners (verses 41-43), the Lord would give victory in battle (verses 44-45); and the Lord would bring restoration after captivity (verses 46-54).

According to 2 Chron. 6:13, Solomon had a tall scaffold erected; so the people might see him clearly, as he knelt before God in prayer. The chronicler reports that Solomon closed his dedicatory prayer with a plea for God’s salvation and goodness to be realized by His people, and with the invoking of God’s grace so as to remember the mercies of David (2 Chron. 6:40-42).

1 Kings 8:22 “And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven:”

“Spread forth his hands”: The spreading of open hands toward heaven was a normal posture of individual prayer (Exodus 9:29; Isa. 1:15).

This is a picture of a man who is surrendering himself to the LORD. He stands with both hands raised to the LORD in praise, and then kneels. We know he kneels (because of verse 54), which says the following.

1 Kings 8:54 “And it was [so], that when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven.”

He raised his hands up to heaven as if to say, LORD I surrender all to you. Solomon was not ashamed to humble himself before God in front of the entire congregation. In my opinion, the most beautiful prayer in the Bible begins here.

Verses 23-26: The beginning of Solomon’s prayer reminded the people that obedience (wholehearted devotion), is required to experience the blessings of God’s presence.

1 Kings 8:23 “And he said, LORD God of Israel, [there is] no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart:”

Their covenant God and Father; whereby he was distinguished from all the gods of the Gentiles.

“There is no God like thee”: In heaven above or on earth beneath; none among the angels in heaven, nor among kings and civil magistrates on earth. Who both are sometimes called “Elohim” gods; but only in a figurative sense. And not to be compared with the one only true God, for the perfection of his nature, or the works of his hands.

“Who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart”: Performs his promises, by which he both declares his mercy or goodness and his faithfulness to such who walk before him, in his ways and according to his word. And in the sincerity and uprightness of their hearts.

Notice, this prayer begins by recognizing God for who He is, and for His greatness. This prayer begins with praise. The Israelites had been guilty of following false gods. Solomon explains that there is no other true God. Solomon recognizes the omnipresence of the LORD God, when he says in heaven, or on earth. God always keeps His covenant. Men break covenants. God is merciful, and no one should know this better than the Israelites, whom he had forgiven over and over. The only thing that the LORD wanted from them and wants from us, is to love him with all our heart.

1 Kings 8:24 “Who hast kept with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him: thou spakest also with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled [it] with thine hand, as [it is] this day.”

Concerning a son, his successor, and the builder of the temple.

“Thou, spakest also with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with thine hand, as it is this day”: The temple being now finished by him (see 1 Kings 8:15).

The fact that God had allowed Solomon to build the temple reassures him that God does what He says he will do. God had promised David that his son would build the temple, and now it is done. Solomon is totally aware that it was the hand of God that brought this into being.

1 Kings 8:25 “Therefore now, LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel; so that thy children take heed to their way, that they walk before me as thou hast walked before me.”

That, as he had fulfilled one part of his promise respecting himself, his immediate successor, so that he would fulfil the other respecting his more remote offspring.

“Saying, there shall not fail thee a man in my sight, to sit on the throne of Israel”: One of David’s posterity to inherit his throne and kingdom, but with this proviso.

“So that thy children takes heed to their way”: In what way they walk, and how they walk in it.

“That they walk before me as thou hast walked before me”; meaning as David walked (see Psalm 132:11).

This does not anger God for Solomon to remind Him of the promise He made to David, that “his descendants” would sit on the throne forever. He does remember that this promise is conditional on the people keeping the commandments of God. God will keep His part of the agreement, if they will keep theirs.

1 Kings 8:26 “And now, O God of Israel, let thy word, I pray thee, be verified, which thou spakest unto thy servant David my father.”

Truly made good, and punctually performed.

“Which thou spakest unto thy servant David my father”: The same request in other words, repeated to show his ardent and vehement desire to have it fulfilled.

“Verified”, in this particular instance, means built up. This is a building up of the Word that God had spoken to David. This is a proving, if you will. The temple for God is built.

Verses 27-29: God’s “name” represents all that He is, but He cannot be confined by the temple because He is everywhere, transcending place and time.

1 Kings 8:27 “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?”

“Heavens cannot contain thee”: Solomon confessed that even though the Lord had chosen to dwell among His people in the cloud at the temple, He far transcended containment by anything in all creation.

Applied to God, immensity means that God cannot be limited by space and is in fact beyond space. Space is the area where physical reality (matter), and being (energy), exist, and to that degree is limited. Where space ends, God still persists infinitely beyond all limits.

Yes, He will dwell on the earth and in the heavens, all at the same time. He cannot however, be confined to one place at a time. There is no house big enough to hold him.

Deuteronomy 10:14 “Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens [is] the LORD’S thy God, the earth [also], with all that therein [is].”

1 Kings 8:28 “Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee today:”

Meaning himself, who, though a king acknowledged himself, and esteemed it an honor to be the servant of the Lord, and who was also a humble suppliant of his, and desired his prayers and supplications might be attended to.

“To hearken unto the cry and to the prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee this day”: The particulars of which follow (in 8:29).

One of the most unexplainable things about God is, since He is so great that all the world cannot hold Him, why does He bother to hear one man’s prayer? And yet the very existence of man is an answer to prayer. If God stopped listening to the prayers of individuals, there would be no existence. Solomon knows that all his greatness is because God allowed it. He is great in the LORD.

1 Kings 8:29 “That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, [even] toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place.”

That is, to the people that prays in it, as they are to his righteous ones (Psalm 33:14). Even towards the place of which thou hast my name shall be there. There should be some displays of his presence, power, and providence, of goodness, grace, and mercy.

“That thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make towards this place”: Not only to what he should make in it, but to what he should make in his own house, with his face directed towards this, as would be, and was the practice of good people in later times. Yea, even when the temple lay in ruins (see Dan. 6:10). Figuring the respect gracious souls have to Christ by faith in their prayers, in whom the Godhead dwells bodily (see Jonah 2:4). And it is observable, according to a Jewish canon, one at a distance, in another land, was not only to turn his face to the land of Israel, but direct his heart to Jerusalem, and the temple, and the Holy of Holies. And if in the land, to Jerusalem, etc. And if in Jerusalem, not only to the temple, and Holy of Holies, but if behind the mercy seat, he was to turn his face to it; which was a symbol of Christ, the propitiatory and throne of grace, to be looked unto by faith (Rom. 3:25).

God has chosen this temple to glorify His name in. Solomon wants the LORD to keep his eyes and ears turned toward the temple, and the people who are its congregation. Solomon calls himself, God’s servant. God’s eyes are on us all. He sees and hears everything we do. God also knows what is in our hearts. This temple will bear the name of the LORD. Now that God has revealed His presence in the temple, Solomon will look to this temple when he prays.

1 Kings 8:30 “And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: and hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place: and when thou hearest, forgive.”

“Supplication” means to beg favor based on God’s grace. The prayer of the people was to be directed toward the sanctuary, God’s earthly dwelling. While “heaven” itself is His eternal “dwelling place” (8:39, 49; Psalm 11:4; Hab. 2:20), He also lives among His people.

Solomon is crying out for the LORD to hear him and these people, when they pray. He knows how forgiving God has been, but he wants Him to forgive them when they cry out to Him.

Verses 31-53: The bulk of Solomon’s prayer recognizes that God’s presence provides help for the difficulties people face in life, even their own failure.

1 Kings 8:31 “If any man trespass against his neighbor, and an oath be laid upon him to cause him to swear, and the oath come before thine altar in this house:”

By being unfaithful in a trust committed to him, or the like.

“And an oath be laid upon him to cause him to swear”: He denying that ever anything was committed to his trust, and there being no witnesses of it, the judge obliges him to take an oath he never had any.

“And the oath come before thine altar in this house”: Where it was taken, as in the presence of God, and as appealing to him: hence in corrupt times they came to swear by the altar (Matt. 23:20). And so, the Heathens used to take their oaths in the temples of their gods, and at their altars, as the instances of Callicrates and Hannibal show. And others Grotius refers to; yea, they also laid hold on the altar, at least touched it when they swore to give the greater sanction to the oath.

1 Kings 8:32 “Then hear thou in heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, condemning the wicked, to bring his way upon his head; and justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness.”

When the injured person makes supplication to have justice done him.

“And do, and judge thy servants”: Contending with one another, the one affirming, the other denying.

“Condemning the wicked, by bringing his way upon his head”: Inflicting upon him the punishment imprecated by him in his oath.

“And justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness”: By making it appear that his cause is just.

Solomon recognizes the LORD as the righteous Judge in this. Only God can decide many matters. Some will even swear a lie, but God knows who is telling the truth. Only God knows who to condemn and who to bless.

Verses 33-34: God’s presence makes it possible for those who have rebelled to turn back to him.

1 Kings 8:33 “When thy people Israel be smitten down before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee, and shall turn again to thee, and confess thy name, and pray, and make supplication unto thee in this house:”

Beaten and routed, many slain, and others carried captive; which had been their case, and might be again, and was, though now a time of peace.

“Because they have sinned against thee”: Which always was the reason of their being given up into the hands of their enemies.

“And shall turn again to thee”: To thy worship, as the Targum, having fallen into idolatry, which was generally the case when they fell before their enemies.

“And confess thy name”: Own him to be the true God. Acknowledge his justice in their punishment, confess their sin, repent of it, and give him glory.

“And pray and make supplication unto thee in this house”: Not the captives, unless it should be rendered, as it may, “toward this house”. But those that escaped, or their brethren that went not out to battle, who should pray for them here.

1 Kings 8:34 “Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which thou gavest unto their fathers.”

It being not personal, but public sins, which would be the cause of such a calamity.

“And bring them again unto the land which thou gavest unto their fathers”: As had been often their case in the time of the judges.

This has been the condition of Israel from the beginning. God always wants to bless them, but sometimes they sin and go after false gods. The wars they had lost were for that very reason. They were unfaithful to the LORD, and He would cause them to lose a battle. The minute they asked for forgiveness and turned back to the LORD, He would forgive their sins and bless them again. They are scattered into foreign lands over and over for their sins. Solomon prays that God will forgive them, and bring them back home.

1 Kings 8:35 “When heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou afflictest them:”

As it may be said to be when the air is quite serene, and not a cloud in it.

“And there is no rain”: In its season, neither the former nor the latter, as it was in the times of Elijah.

“Because they have sinned against thee”: Want of rain was threatened in case of sin, and was always the effect of it (Lev. 26:19).

“If they pray towards this place”: In any part of the country where they were; for it sometimes rained on one city, and not on another (Amos 4:7).

“And confess thy name”: Own his power and his providence, and the justness of his dealings with them.

“And turn from their sin, when thou afflictest them”: Their affliction being made useful, to bring them to a sense of their sin, and to repentance for it, and reformation from it. Or, “when thou hearest” or “answerest them”; so the Targum, receives their prayer; thus the goodness of God leads to repentance.

1 Kings 8:36 “Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, that thou teach them the good way wherein they should walk, and give rain upon thy land, which thou hast given to thy people for an inheritance.”

By removing the judgment of drought upon them.

“That thou teach them the good way wherein they should walk”: The way of worship and duty prescribed by the Lord which was good in itself, and good for them. Good things being enjoyed by them that walk therein. And this the Lord sometimes teaches by afflictions, as well as by his word. But whenever he does it, it is by his Spirit, and then afflictions are blessings (Psalm 104:19), where the same phrase is differently rendered.

“And give rain upon the land which thou hast given to thy people for an inheritance”: As he did at the prayer of Elijah (James 5:18).

So much of this prayer is a statement of why it does not rain, or why storms come, or any of nature’s disasters. The heaven is shut up and it does not rain, because the people have turned against God. The only solution to natural disasters, such as drought, is to pray for forgiveness for our sins, and ask God to change the situation. When God hears from heaven and answers the prayer, the drought is over. God had promised them rain at the right time for their crops, as long as they were faithful to Him.

1 Kings 8:37 “If there be in the land famine, if there be pestilence, blasting, mildew, locust, [or] if there be caterpillar; if their enemy besiege them in the land of their cities; whatsoever plague, whatsoever sickness [there be];”

Through want of rain, or any other cause, as there had been a three years’ famine in the time of David, and it is supposed it might be again, though Canaan was a land flowing with milk and honey.

“If there be pestilence”: As there had been, for David’s numbering the people.

“Blasting”: Or blights, occasioned by the east wind.

“Mildew”: A kind of clammy dew, which falling on plants, corn, etc. corrupts and destroys them (see Amos 4:9).

“Locust”: or:

“If there be caterpillar”: Creatures very pernicious to the fruits of the earth, and cause a scarcity of them (see Joel 1:4).

“If their enemy besiege them in the land of their cities”: So that they cannot go out to gather the increase of the earth, or till their land.

“Whatsoever plague, whatsoever sickness there be”: Whatever stroke from the hand of God, or what judgment or calamity whatsoever befalls.

Notice, what causes these calamities. Notice also, that these come from God, not the devil. We might look at this Scripture and ask God to forgive us, so the plague of A.I.D.S would be stopped in our land. The only thing that will stop A.I.D.S. is repentance and prayer and turning to God for help. Everyone gets hurt by a plague. Some of the people who get this disease, are innocent. Everyone must return to true worship of God.

1 Kings 8:38 “What prayer and supplication soever be [made] by any man, [or] by all thy people Israel, which shall know every man the plague of his own heart, and spread forth his hands toward this house:”

On account of any of the above things, or any other.

“Be made by any man, or by all the people Israel”: By a private man, for such a one might go to the temple and pray by himself (see Luke 18:10), or by the public congregation.

“Which shall know every man the plague of his own heart”: Be sensible of his sin as the cause of his distress, and own it, though ever so privately committed, which none knows but God and his own heart. And which may be only a heart sin, not actually committed; as all sin is originally in the heart, and springs from it, that is the source of all wickedness. It may respect the corruption of nature, indwelling sin, which truly deserves this name, and which every good man is led to observe, confess, and bewail (Psalm 51:4).

In 2 Chronicles 6:29), it is, “shall know his own sore and his own grief”. What particularly affects him, and gives him pain and sorrow, as every man best knows his own affliction and trouble, and so can best represent his own case to the Lord.

“And spread forth his hands towards this house”: Pray with his face towards it, and his hands spread out, a prayer gesture, and what was now used by Solomon (1 Kings 8:22).

The “plague of the heart” is speaking of the conscience of man. The heart is what we are. If a man has a heart stayed upon God, he is in good standing with God. Those who are evil in their hearts, are not pleasing unto the LORD. They should look to this temple, because that is where the LORD is.

1 Kings 8:39 “Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, [even] thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;)”

Which was more properly so, than this Solomon had built and the Lord had taken possession of.

“And forgive”: Remove the calamity and distress, be it what it may.

“And do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest”: That his prayer is cordial and sincere, his confession and repentance genuine, and that he is truly sensible of his sin, and sorry for it. And is pure in his intentions and resolutions through divine grace; to depart from it for the future.

“(For thou, even thou only knowest the hearts of all the children of men;)”: He knows all men, the hearts of them all, what is in them, what comes out of them, and is according to them. Omniscience belongs only to God. It is his prerogative to know the heart and search the reins (see Jer. 17:9).

A prayer prayed from a repentant heart will get results. When our heart is changed, we are changed. Satan only knows what he sees and hears, but God knows the heart of man. God even knows our thoughts. My own personal belief is that our heart is what will condemn us on judgment day, or redeem us. Even our belief must begin in our heart.

1 Kings 8:40 “That they may fear thee all the days that they live in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers.”

For his goodness sake in hearing their prayer, removing their affliction, and bestowing his blessings on them, particularly in forgiving their sins (see Psalm 130:4).

“All the days that they live in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers”: Not only for the present, while the mercy is fresh, but all the days of their lives. To which they were the more obliged by the good land they possessed as a divine gift, and which they held by the tenure of their obedience (Isa. 1:19).

This fear is speaking of reverence. This fear is as a child fears a father.

Verses 41-43: The temple was not only for the Hebrew people. In the Court of the Gentiles, “foreigners” were welcome. Truly, as Jesus remarked, it became “a house of prayer for all nations” (Mark 11:17).

1 Kings 8:41 “Moreover concerning a stranger, that [is] not of thy people Israel, but cometh out of a far country for thy name’s sake;”

Of another country not belonging to any of the tribes of Israel; yet having some knowledge of, and disposition to, the true worship of God.

“But cometh out of a far country for thy name’s sake”: As the Ethiopian eunuch did, to pray to him, worship him, and offer such sacrifices as were allowed a Gentile to do (Lev. 22:18); led thereunto by the fame of him, as follows.

1 Kings 8:42 “(For they shall hear of thy great name, and of thy strong hand, and of thy stretched out arm;) when he shall come and pray toward this house;”

Of his great name Jehovah. Of him as the eternal, immutable, and self-existent Being. Of the perfections of his nature, as displayed in his mighty works.

“And of thy strong hand, and of thy stretched out arm”: That had been done formerly such as the mighty works in Egypt, at the Red sea, in the wilderness, in the land of Canaan, in the times of David, and still under the reign of Solomon. And even in future ages, besides the works of creation and providence in general.

“When he shall come and pray towards this house”: Not being admitted into it, only into a court, which in later times was called the court of the Gentiles (see Acts 21:19).

1 Kings 8:43 “Hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for: that all people of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee, as [do] thy people Israel; and that they may know that this house, which I have builded, is called by thy name.”

The prayer of the stranger.

“And do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for”: Which were consistent with the will of God and his glory, and for the good of the stranger. This is more absolutely and unconditionally expressed than the requests for the Israelites. It is not desired that he would do by them according to their ways, and if they turned from their sins, or knew the plague of their hearts. The reason of which is supposed to be, because the Israelites knew the will of God, when the strangers did not. And therefore, it is desired that, notwithstanding their ignorance, and their non-compliance with the divine will, through that, they might be heard and answered.

“That all people of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee, as do thy people Israel”: Might know him to be a God, hearing and answering prayer, forgiving sin, and bestowing favors, which might lead them to fear him and his goodness, as Israel did.

“And that they may know that this house, which I have builded, is called by thy name”: That he dwelt in it, granted his presence, heard and received the supplications of men, answered their requests, and accepted of their sacrifices here. Solomon seems to have had knowledge of the calling of the Gentiles, and to desire it.

We know that people did come to see the magnificent temple that Solomon had built to the name of the LORD. The queen of Sheba is a very good example of that. I believe this is much more far-reaching than that, and is speaking of the Gentiles who look to the LORD and believe in His name. Solomon is praying for the salvation of the w