1 Kings 8
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Introduction
Introduction
In the previous 3 chapters, we saw Solomon prepare to build the Temple, his workmen building the Temple, his artisans decorating the temple, and creating the furniture and tools the priests needed for their ministry.
In the previous 3 chapters, we saw Solomon prepare to build the Temple, his workmen building the Temple, his artisans decorating the temple, and creating the furniture and tools the priests needed for their ministry.
We also had a description of the building of Solomon’s house and other buildings that were around the Temple.
We also had a description of the building of Solomon’s house and other buildings that were around the Temple.
Now, here in this very long chapter 8, the construction of the Temple is complete.
What was left was for it to be consecrated in the presence of the people.
The centerpiece of the Temple was the Ark containing the tablets of the law, which was still in the tent where David had it placed when he brought it to Jerusalem back in .
It was a wrong assumption by many, however, that the Ark was special because it contained the tablets of the law.
Today, that is the significance that many would place on the Ark.
But the ark was special because it was a picture of God’s mercy … with the kofar or “mercy seat” of the ark hiding away those items that represented the nation’s rebellion.
Interestingly, as we will see, by this time the only thing contained in the ark was the 2 tablets of stone on which was inscribed the 10 commandments.
Now, Solomon, surrounded by the jubilant people of Israel brought it to the temple.
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I try very hard to stay around 30 minutes of teaching time for our Wednesday evening services.
I try very hard to stay around 30 minutes of teaching time for our Wednesday evening services.
I know that people have to be awake and fresh for work on Thursday and kids also need a good nights sleep.
I know that people have to be awake and fresh for work on Thursday and kids also need a good nights sleep.
So, I’ve worked to whittle this enormous chapter down to that time frame.
That being said, I may go a little over … it’s just hard to say.
So, I’m going to cut short the introduction, hoping everyone remembers the details of the past few chapters.
Let’s pray and we’ll dig in:
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for everyone here this evening. Thank You that You know each of us by name and have caused us to walk with You. Lord, we open up Your word desiring to hear from You ... not man's word or wisdom, but Your Words and Wisdom. Please soften our hearts to receive from You.
Fellow citizens, we cannot escape history.” Abraham Lincoln spoke those words to the American Congress on December 1, 1862, but King Solomon could have spoken them to the Jewish leaders when he dedicated the temple during the Feast of Tabernacles in the twenty-fourth year of his reign. No matter where the Jews are in this world, or what the century is, they have their roots in Abraham, Moses, and David. King David is mentioned twelve times in this section2 and Moses is mentioned three times. During his prayer, Solomon referred to God’s covenant with his father () and also to the covenant God gave to Moses recorded in . The main thrust of his prayer is that God would hear the prayers directed toward the temple and forgive those who sinned, and this request is based on the promise given in . Israel’s kings were commanded to make their own copy of the Book of Deuteronomy (), and Solomon’s many references to Deuteronomy indicate that he knew the book very well.
No matter where the Jews are in this world, or what the century is, they have their roots in Abraham, Moses, and David. King David is mentioned twelve times in this section2 and Moses is mentioned three times. During his prayer, Solomon referred to God’s covenant with his father () and also to the covenant God gave to Moses recorded in . The main thrust of his prayer is that God would hear the prayers directed toward the temple and forgive those who sinned, and
What kind of a “house” did Solomon dedicate that day?
Solomon assembled at Jerusalem the leaders of the tribes of Israel and whoever of the citizens could attend, from the north to south (v. 65), that they might assist him in dedicating the house of God. The word “house” is used twenty-six times in this passage (thirty-seven times in ), for this structure was indeed the “house of God.” (vv. 10, 11, 17, etc.). But what made this costly building the house of the Lord? Not simply that God commanded it to be built and chose Solomon to build it, or that He gave the plans to David and provided the wealth to construct it. Those matters were important, but the thing that made this temple the house of the Lord was the presence of the Lord God Jehovah in the sanctuary.
v1-9
v1-9
The construction of the Temple was complete.
The construction of the Temple was complete.
Now it had to be inaugurated and consecrated in the presence of the leaders of Israel and the people.
Now it had to be inaugurated and consecrated in the presence of the leaders of Israel and the people.
There is a parallel account of these events in .
The Ark was brought in (vv. 1–9; ). In the Holy of Holies, Jehovah was “enthroned between the cherubim” ( niv). The pagan nations had their temples, altars, priests, and sacrifices, but their temples were empty and their sacrifices useless. The true and living God dwelt in the temple on Mount Moriah! That’s why Solomon’s first act of dedication was to have the Ark of the Covenant brought from the tent David had pitched for it () and placed into the inner sanctuary of the temple. The tabernacle equipment and furnishings were also brought to the temple and stored there (). The Ark of the Covenant was the only piece of the original furniture that was kept in active service, for nothing could replace the throne of God or the law of God that was kept in the Ark. That this dedication service took place during the Feast of Tabernacles was significant, for the Ark had led Israel all during their wilderness journey.
Written by Asaph, speaks of the LORD dwelling between the cherubim.
Do not read below:
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock; You who dwell between the cherubim, shine forth!
Asaph lived through David’s reign, into Solomon’s and even into Rehoboam’s.
Asaph served in Jerusalem for all of David's reign and was very close to David.
He was in Jerusalem when God gave David the great promise that David would have a son who would be the Messiah, and reign forever.
He also heard David tell the people and elders of Israel that his son Solomon was the answer to God's promise of a son who would build God's temple and establish a kingdom that would last forever.
He saw the death of David, the accession of Solomon, and the building of the Temple.
He likely thought he was standing on the verge of Israel's golden age.
He was on the mountaintop!
But after Solomon's dedication of the Temple, he saw Israel's "golden age" turn into something quite apart from what he expected.
After a promising beginning, Solomon turned his back on God and pursued power, wealth, luxury, and human wisdom, as well as worship of other gods.
To finance all his pursuits the people were oppressed with slavery and taxes.
Asaph saw Solomon become a wicked man who entrusted the administration of his Kingdom to other wicked men.
In fact, there is good reason to believe that during Solomon's reign, Asaph's brother Zechariah was assassinated in the Temple by Solomon's agents.
Neither Asaph nor Zechariah would keep silent about Solomon's wickedness. Zechariah paid the ultimate price.
After Solomon's death, Asaph, saw the kingdom torn in two by God's decree.
The northern part, restless under Solomon's punishing taxes and resentful at his wasteful luxury, rebelled and took Jeroboam as King, and the southern part, mostly the tribe of Judah, went with Rehoboam, Solomon's son.
Back to our text … The pagan nations had their temples, altars, priests, and sacrifices.
After that, the Egyptians invaded, along with Israel's neighbors, took Jerusalem, burned and stripped the Temple, killed many of the priests, and left, mocking Israel, and Israel's God.
Since many of Asaph's relatives served in the temple as either musicians or doorkeepers, many of them must have perished in this attack. In the winter of his years Asaph surveyed the wreckage of his hopes. The Kingdom was destroyed, the Temple was in ruins, many of his own family had been killed, and "Solomon as the Messiah" had been exposed as a fraud!
In the Holy of Holies, Jehovah was “enthroned between the cherubim” ( niv). The pagan nations had their temples, altars, priests, and sacrifices, but their temples were empty and their sacrifices useless. The true and living God dwelt in the temple on Mount Moriah! That’s why Solomon’s first act of dedication was to have the Ark of the Covenant brought from the tent David had pitched for it () and placed into the inner sanctuary of the temple. The tabernacle equipment and furnishings were also brought to the temple and stored there (). The Ark of the Covenant was the only piece of the original furniture that was kept in active service, for nothing could replace the throne of God or the law of God that was kept in the Ark. That this dedication service took place during the Feast of Tabernacles was significant, for the Ark had led Israel all during their wilderness journey.
But their temples were empty and false, just like their false gods ... and their sacrifices were useless.
The true and living God was present with Israel.
The symbol of His presence was the Ark of the Covenant.
That’s why Solomon’s first act of dedication was to have the Ark of the Covenant brought from the tent David had pitched for it and placed into the inner sanctuary of the temple.
The tabernacle equipment and furnishings were also brought to the temple and stored there.
But remember that aside from Ark, Solomon had created all new items for the new Temple.
The Ark of the Covenant was the only piece of the original furniture that was kept in active service, for nothing could replace the throne of God or the law of God that was kept in the Ark. That this dedication service took place during the Feast of Tabernacles was significant, for the Ark had led Israel all during their wilderness journey.
Nothing could replace the Ark or the law of God that was kept in the Ark.
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There are a few things that we need to clarify here.
There are a few things that we need to clarify here.
First notice that Solomon assembled national leaders together in Jerusalem for this event of the bringing up of the Ark to the Temple.
Next, it reads that the Ark was brought up from the City of David, which is Zion.
When taking Jerusalem, David first took the defensive stronghold of the city … known as Zion Fortress, which was renamed Ir David or the City of David in his honor.
Later the name Zion became a synonym for the Temple Mount, and sometimes it is used for the entire city of Jerusalem.
Also, the timing coincided with a feast in the month of Ethanim, which after the later exile was renamed Tishri.
It is the 1st month of the civil year and 7th month of the religious calendar.
The Feast of Sukkot or Tabernacles was taking place … a pilgrimage feast.
This meant that there was also a great gathering of all the people of Israel taking place in Jerusalem.
That this dedication service took place during the Feast of Tabernacles was significant.
Now, a little research back to chapter 6 reminds us that the Temple in all its details and according to all its plans was completed in the 8th month.
Do not read below:
And in the eleventh year, in the month of Bul, which is the eighth month, the house was finished in all its details and according to all its plans. So he was seven years in building it.
So then, the inauguration was delayed for 11 months … indicating a deliberate plan for these events to take place on Sukkot.
And for good reason … That this dedication service took place during the Feast of Tabernacles was significant.
That is because the Ark had led Israel all during their wilderness journey.
So, while the people were celebrating in their Sukkot, the Ark was symbolically completing the journey to it’s permanent home … or assumed to be permanent home of the Temple.
Verse 5 says that the king and the leaders who he assembled went before the ark and the priests who were carrying the Ark, making innumerable sacrifices.
And the priests placed the Ark before the large cherubim that Huram had made, whose wings spanned the width of the Holy of Holies.
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The cherubim on the ark as well as in the chamber made for an interesting scene.
The cherubim on the ark as well as in the chamber made for an interesting scene.
The cherubim on the mercy seat of the Ark looked inward toward the seat, while the new cherubim looked out toward the Holy Place where the priests ministered.
The cherubim on the mercy seat of the Ark looked inward toward the seat, while the new cherubim looked out toward the Holy Place where the priests ministered.
speaks of the angels desiring to “look into” the mysteries of God’s grace.
Do not read below:
To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.
And speaks of the angels beholding the ministry of God’s people and learning about God’s grace.
And speaks of
Do not read below:
For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.
1 Corinthians
At one time, a pot of manna and the staff of Aaron which budded were within the Ark … both of which were reminders of rebellion in Israel.
At one time, a pot of manna and the staff of Aaron which budded were within the Ark (; ; ), both of which were reminders of rebellion in Israel (; ). But the nation was now making a new beginning and those items weren’t needed. The important thing was that Israel obey the law of God that was kept in the Ark. The Jews were no longer a pilgrim people, but the staves were left in the Ark as a reminder of God’s faithfulness to them during those forty years of discipline.
But the nation was now making a new beginning and those items were no longer in the Ark.
What happened to them, we do not know … what we do know is that the only thing now in the Ark is the tablets of the commandments.
The important thing was that Israel obey the law of God that was kept in the Ark.
One more thing before we move on … look at verse 7 and 8 … even though this was meant to be the final place in which the Ark would be placed, the poles by which it was carried was left in.
Israel was no longer a pilgrim nation, but the poles remained … perhaps as a reminder of God’s faithfulness to them during those 40 years of discipline.
v10-13
v10-13
Solomon had extended huge amounts of effort and treasure to build the Temple.
Solomon had extended huge amounts of effort and treasure to build the Temple.
But, it was not enough to have a large, costly building.
But, it was not enough to have a large, costly building.
The presence of God
The Ark was but a symbol of the throne and the presence of God.
It was the actual presence of the Lord in His house that was important.
Once Solomon and the people had honored God and placed His throne in the Holy of Holies, the glory of God came and filled the house of the Lord.
If this had not happened, all of Solomon’s efforts would have been in vain.
So, the moment the priests brought the Ark into the Holy of Holies, was a very important one … the test was at hand.
When Moses erected the Tabernacle, God signified His approval in this way:
Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
Exodus
And now, too, God demonstrated His approval by filling the Temple with His glory.
During the wilderness wandering, sacrifices were brought only to the Tabernacle.
Once they were in the land, sacrifices were made in various places within the national territory of Israel.
Now, with the completion of the Temple and with God showing His Shekinah glory within it, sacrifices were to only be made at the Temple.
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As the glory filled the house, the priests praised God with voice and instruments, for the Lord inhabits the praises of His people ().
The presence of God’s glory was the distinguishing mark of the nation of Israel.
The presence of God’s glory was the distinguishing mark of the nation of Israel.
Earlier, as recorded in , the sins of the people caused God’s glory to depart from the tabernacle but now the glory had returned.
The nation would again fall into sin and be taken to Babylon.
There, Ezekiel the prophet would have a vision of the glory of God leaving the temple.
His glory would later come to earth in the person of Jesus Christ, but as was God’s will, sinners crucified Him.
And when Jesus returned to heaven, he went in a cloud of glory.
And, as Jesus had earlier said, the temple was “left desolate.”
Do not read below:
See! Your house is left to you desolate;
Matthew
Since the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost, God’s glory has resided in believers.
Since the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost (), God’s glory has resided in each of God’s children individually () as well as in the church local () and the church universal (). Until Jesus comes to take us to the eternal glory, our privilege and responsibility is to bring glory to Him as we serve here on earth. Each local assembly, worshiping the Lord in spirit and truth, should manifest the glory of the Lord ().
And until Jesus comes to take us to the eternal glory, our privilege and responsibility is to bring glory to Him as we serve here on earth.
Each local assembly, worshiping the Lord in spirit and truth, should manifest the glory of the Lord ().
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Quickly before we move on, why did Solomon in his speech refer to a dark cloud?
Quickly before we move on, why did Solomon in his speech refer to a dark cloud?
God not only graciously dwells with His people, but He also gives them His Word and faithfully keeps His promises. That’s the major theme of this section, for in it Solomon glorified Jehovah by reviewing the history of the building of the temple.
Solomon is referring back to another mountain … Mt Sinai where God’s presence was made known in a thick, dark cloud.
Solomon is referring back to another mountain … Mt Sinai where God’s presence was made known in a thick, dark cloud.
And here on Mt. Moriah, God has made Himself known in a cloud of glory.
The site of the Temple had always been a holy site.
It was there that Abraham placed Isaac on the altar.
It was there that Jacob had the vision of the ladder.
It was here that David had the vision showing him that this was the site of the future Temple.
v12-13
v12-13
The king was standing on his special platform (), facing the sanctuary, the priests were at the altar (5:12) and the people were gathered in the assembly, and all of them had just seen a marvelous manifestation of the glory of God. Yet Solomon opened his address by saying, “The Lord said He would dwell in the dark cloud” (v. 12, nkjv). Why speak of darkness when they had just beheld God’s radiant glory? Solomon was referring to the words of the Lord to Moses at Mount Sinai: “Behold, I come to you in the thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and believe you forever” (, nkjv). There was indeed a thick cloud of darkness on the mountain (; ; ; ) and Moses went into that darkness with great fear (). Solomon was connecting the events of that day to Israel’s past experience at Sinai, for the people of God must not be cut off from their roots in history.
God is light () and dwells in light (), but He cannot fully reveal Himself to man because “there shall no man see me, and live” (, kjv). The emphasis at Sinai was on hearing God, not seeing God, lest the Jewish people would be tempted to make images of their God and worship them. Like the church today, Israel was to be a people of the Word, hearing it and obeying. King David envisioned the Lord with darkness under His feet and darkness as His canopy (, ; see 97:2). There is mystery about God that humbles us, because we don’t always understand Him and His ways, but this mystery also encourages us to trust Him and rest upon His Word. Solomon didn’t want the people to think that God was now their “neighbor” and therefore they could speak to Him or about Him any way they pleased. “But the Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth be silent before Him” (, nasb).
Like a servant reporting to his master, Solomon announced that he had built the house to be God’s dwelling place (v. 13). This reminds us that Moses finished work of building and erecting the tabernacle (), that our Savior finished all that the Father instructed Him to do (), and that both John the Baptist and Paul finished their courses successfully (; ). All of us will give an account of our life and service when we see the Lord (), and it behooves us to be faithful to the calling He has given us, so that we end well.
v14-21
v14-21
The weekly Sabbath, the annual feasts (), and the presence of the temple would bear witness to the Jewish people, young and old, that Jehovah was their God. The word “remember” is used at least 14 times in the Book of Deuteronomy because God didn’t want His people to forget the lessons of the past.
God in His goodness and grace made a covenant with David concerning his family and his throne.
God in His goodness and grace made a covenant with David concerning his family and his throne.
That was back in .
That was back in .
We’ve talked about that covenant more than a few times, so I won’t get into great detail.
God included in that covenant the promise of a son who would build the temple.
Solomon, in verse 15 says that what God spoke with His mouth, He accomplished with His hand.
And in verse 20, Solomon says that what God promised to David, He performed through Solomon.
But Solomon also makes it clear that God did these things for the honor of His name and not for the glory of either David or Solomon.
God did not perform them for the glory of either David or Solomon.
Whenever the people would come to worship, they were to remember that the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord made the Temple possible.
At least 14 times God’s name is referred to in Solomon’s address and in his later prayer.
The king was careful to give God all the glory … what a contrast with Solomon’s behavior later in life.
Whenever the people would come to worship, they would remember that the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord made the temple possible.
v22-30
v22-30
According to , Solomon knelt on the special platform near the altar as he prayed this prayer, his hands lifted to heaven. Our traditional posture for prayer (“hands folded and eyes closed”) was unknown to the Jews. Their posture was to look up by faith toward God in heaven (or toward the temple) and lift their open hands to show their poverty and their expectancy as they awaited the answer (v. 38, 54; , ; ; ; ). This practice was carried over into the early church (). The word “heaven” is found at least a dozen times in verses 22–54.
Solomon opened his prayer with praise and thanksgiving to the Lord.
Solomon opened his prayer with praise and thanksgiving to the Lord.
“There is no God in heaven above or on earth below like You.”
He recognizes that God keeps His covenants and is merciful.
Again, Solomon refers to God’s covenant with his father, David, which also appointed Solomon as heir and Temple builder.
He also prayed that David’s royal line would continue just as God had promised.
Of course, the ultimate fulfillment of that promise would come later in Jesus Christ.
But look at verse 27.
But look at verse 27.
As Solomon prayed, he was overwhelmed by the contrast between the greatness of God and the insignificance of the work he had done in building the temple.
How could Almighty God, the God of the heavens, dwell in a building made by the hands of men?
Earlier, in his letter to Hiram of Tyre, Solomon said this same thing:
But who is able to build Him a temple, since heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him? Who am I then, that I should build Him a temple, except to burn sacrifice before Him?
Solomon had expressed this same truth to King Hiram before he began to build (), and the prophet Isaiah echoed it (). Stephen referred to these words from Solomon and Isaiah when he defended himself before the Jewish council (), and Paul emphasized this truth when preaching to the Gentiles (). Solomon realized that God’s willingness to dwell with His people was wholly an act of grace.
Solomon realized that God’s willingness to dwell with His people was wholly an act of grace.
Much later, in , Stephen referred to these words from Solomon and Isaiah when he defended himself before the Jewish council.
Stephen referred to these words from Solomon and Isaiah when he defended himself before the Jewish council (), and Paul emphasized this truth when preaching to the Gentiles (). Solomon realized that God’s willingness to dwell with His people was wholly an act of grace.
Paul also emphasized this truth when preaching to the Gentiles in .
In verses 28-30 we find the real gist of Solomon’s prayer.
The burden of his prayer is in verses 28–30: that the Lord would keep His eyes on the temple and His ears open to the prayers of the people and answer them when they prayed toward the temple. He asked the Lord to forgive the sins of the people when they prayed (vv. 30, 34, 36, 39, 50) and in so doing maintain “the cause of his people Israel” (v. 59). Solomon knew the terms of the covenant found in , and the calamities he mentioned in his prayer are the very disciplines the Lord promised to send if Israel disobeyed His law. But Solomon also knew that promised forgiveness and restoration if God’s people would repent and turn to the Lord. Jonah looked toward the temple and prayed, and God forgave him (), and Daniel prayed for the people as he looked toward Jerusalem (). “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations” (, nkjv; ; ; ).
That is that the Lord would keep His eyes on the temple and His ears open to the prayers of the people and forgive sins.
This request is based on the promise given in .
Israel’s kings were commanded to make their own copy of the Book of Deuteronomy and Solomon’s many references to Deuteronomy indicate that he knew the book very well.
It is a shame that later he did not act on the wisdom of God’s Word.
He desires that the LORD answer them when they prayed toward the temple.
v31-32
v31-32
Solomon presented to the Lord seven specific requests.
In this part of his prayer, Solomon prayed for justice in the land.
In this part of his prayer, Solomon prayed for justice in the land.
As you remember, Solomon had begun his reign by judging very wisely between two women.
As you remember, Solomon had begun his reign by judging very wisely between two women.
But the kingdom was large.
It would be impossible for him to handle every case of personal conflict in the land and still perform all the duties of the king.
Judges were appointed in Israel to hear local cases, but the priests were also available to apply the law and render decisions.
If a man was accused of sinning against his neighbor, the accused could take an oath at the temple altar and the Lord would declare whether or not the man was innocent.
How this verdict was declared isn’t explained, but perhaps the priest used the Urim and Thummim.
Solomon asked for justice now, but the pursuits of his later years would create injustice.
And after Solomon, the godless kings of Israel and Judah continued to allow injustice in the land.
The responsibility of the judge as Solomon prayed, was to “condemn the wicked … and justify the righteous.”
The responsibility of the judge as Solomon prayed, was to “condemn the wicked … and justify the righteous.”
But when it comes to our salvation, as says, “God justifies the ungodly.”
Do not read below:
But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness,
Romans
This is according to the basis of the sacrifice Christ made on the cross.
For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
Romans
The Bible is clear that God has condemned all people as unrighteous, so that He might show grace to all mankind and save those who will put their trust in Jesus.
() on the basis of the sacrifice Christ made on the cross ().
God has condemned all people as unrighteous () so that He might show grace to all mankind and save those who will put their trust in His Son.
v33-34
v33-34
Solomon also prayed about defeat because of sin.
Solomon also prayed about defeat because of sin.
God’s had said that if Israel obeyed the terms of the covenant, there would be peace in the land and God would give Israel victory over any enemies who attacked them.
But if Israel sinned, God would allow their enemies to triumph over them.
Solomon prayed that if this defeat brought the people to repentance, God would forgive them and bring them back to the land.
Solomon prayed that if this defeat brought the people to repentance, God would forgive them and bring them back to the land.
v35-36
v35-36
Israel had title to the land because of God’s covenant with Abraham, but they could possess it and enjoy its blessings only if they obeyed God’s law.
Israel had title to the land because of God’s covenant with Abraham, but they could possess it and enjoy its blessings only if they obeyed God’s law.
The covenant in Deuteronomy listed as a severe discipline drought in the land.
The covenant in Deuteronomy listed as a severe discipline drought in the land.
God said He would allow rain in it’s season if they honored Him.
Israel raised animals and crops … so rain was necessary for their survival.
The purpose of God allowing a drought was to bring the people to a place of repentance, and God promised to forgive their sins and send the rain.
We will see a great example of this in 1 Kings 18.
v37-40
v37-40
In His commandment, God also warned of famine, crop disease, invasions of insects, and other plagues.
In His commandment, God also warned of famine, crop disease, invasions of insects, and other plagues.
However, if they obeyed Him, He would shelter His people and their land from these calamities.
However, if they obeyed Him, He would shelter His people and their land from these calamities.
But once again, Solomon asked the Lord to forgive His people when they confessed their sins, and to restore their land.
The land was important because it was part of Israel’s inheritance from the LORD.
When the people first began to sin, God punished them in the land.
If they repented then God was merciful.
But if they continued in their rebellion, He allowed other nations to take them out of the land.
Such was the case when the Assyrians conquered Israel and when the Babylonians defeated Judah.
Glance ahead to verses 46-53 and you will see what Solomon prayed for when the people are removed from the land.
We’ll get there in a moment.
v41-43
v41-43
Solomon also prayed that God would receive the foreigner who prays toward the Temple.
Solomon also prayed that God would receive the foreigner who prays toward the Temple.
He was not speaking of the “resident aliens” in Israel who settled in the land and had certain privileges and responsibilities under the law.
He was not speaking of the “resident aliens” in Israel who settled in the land and had certain privileges and responsibilities under the law.
These were people from foreign nations who would come to Israel because they had heard of the greatness of the Lord and His temple.
These were not the “resident aliens” in Israel who settled in the land and had certain privileges and responsibilities under the law (; , ; ; ; ; , ). The “foreigners” were people who would come to Israel because they had heard of the greatness of the Lord and His temple. (Gentile workers had helped to build the temple.) It was the responsibility of Israel to be a “light” to the pagan Gentile nations and to demonstrate to them the glory of the true and living God. Solomon had this in mind when he asked the Lord to hear and answer the prayers of people outside the covenant, so that “all peoples of the earth may know Your name and fear You” (v. 43 nkjv; see v. 60). If these people began to pray to the Lord Jehovah, perhaps they would come to trust and worship Him.
Israel was to be a “light” to the Gentile nations and to demonstrate to them the glory of the true and living God.
As far back as when God called Abraham and Sarah to leave Ur and go to Canaan, God declared that He wanted Israel to be a blessing to the whole world.
Do not read below:
Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
And God witnessed to the nations through His mighty works on behalf of Israel.
And now, in the land, His blessing on them was a witness to the other nations.
Solomon had this in mind when he asked the Lord to hear and answer the prayers of people outside the covenant, so that “all peoples of the earth may know Your name and fear You” (v. 43 nkjv; see v. 60). If these people began to pray to the Lord Jehovah, perhaps they would come to trust and worship Him.
Solomon’s hope was that if these people began to pray to the Lord God, perhaps they would come to trust and worship Him.
v44-45
v44-45
God’s judgments against Pharaoh and Egypt were a witness to the nations (), as was His opening of the Red Sea at the Exodus (). When God dried up the Jordan so Israel could enter the Promised Land, He revealed His power and glory to the other nations (). His blessing on Israel in the land of Canaan was a witness to the pagan nations (), and so was David’s victory over Goliath (). God blesses us that we might be a blessing, not that we might horde the blessing and boast. The Jews prayed, “God be merciful to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, that Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations” (, nkjv). The church today needs to pray that prayer and keep that purpose in mind.
Solomon also prayed for Israel in battle.
Solomon also prayed for Israel in battle.
Early in the days of Israel in the land, they had only bronze weapons compared to the iron weapons of their enemies.
Early in the days of Israel in the land, they had only bronze weapons compared to the iron weapons of their enemies.
They were also at a disadvantage of not knowing the land as well as those who were already living there, who also had established cities with defenses.
Those battles and battles to come would only be won through the strength of the LORD.
Even in the midst of battle, the soldiers could look toward the temple and ask the Lord for His help.
In Ephesians, Paul, when describing the Christian soldier’s armor and equipment, named prayer as an essential for victory.
The French writer Voltaire said, “It is said that God is always on the side of the heaviest battalions,” but the truth is that God is on the side of those who pray in His will.
v46-53
v46-53
Solomon prayed, “When they sin against You” and not “If.”
Solomon prayed, “When they sin against You” and not “If.”
Israel’s history demonstrated that the nation was prone to sin.
Israel’s history demonstrated that the nation was prone to sin.
The pronoun “they” in verse 46 refers to the people of Israel, and Israel’s history shows that the nation was prone to sin. All of us are sinners (; ), but God’s special blessings on Israel and His covenant with them made their disobedience that much more serious. By disobeying God’s law and imitating the sins of their idolatrous neighbors, the Jews were sinning against a flood of light. In the covenant, God warned that repeated rebellion would lead to captivity (; ). The other disciplines took away from the Jews the blessings of the land, but captivity took them away from the land itself. The Jewish people did experience defeat and captivity. Assyria conquered the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 and Babylon conquered the southern kingdom of Judah in 606–586 and took the Jews captive to Babylon. This terrible event was predicted by Isaiah (6:11–12; 11:11–12; 39:6) and Micah (4:10), and Jeremiah revealed that the Babylonian captivity would last for seventy years (; ). When the prophet Daniel understood what Jeremiah wrote, he began to pray that God would keep His promises () and set the nation free (). No doubt many other believing Jews (“the remnant”) also interceded, and God stirred Cyrus, king of Persia, to allow the Jews to return to their land and rebuild their temple (; ).
All of us are sinners.
But God’s special blessings on Israel and His covenant with them made their disobedience that much more serious.
By disobeying God’s law and imitating the sins of their idolatrous neighbors, the Jews were sinning against the light God had given them.
In the covenant, God warned that repeated rebellion would lead to captivity.
As we noted before, the other disciplines took away from the Jews the blessings of the land, but captivity took them away from the land itself.
Assyria conquered the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 and took them into captivity.
Babylon conquered the southern kingdom of Judah in 606 and took the Jews captive to Babylon.
This terrible event was predicted by Isaiah (6:11–12; 11:11–12; 39:6) and Micah (4:10), and Jeremiah revealed that the Babylonian captivity would last for seventy years (; ). When the prophet Daniel understood what Jeremiah wrote, he began to pray that God would keep His promises () and set the nation free (). No doubt many other believing Jews (“the remnant”) also interceded, and God stirred Cyrus, king of Persia, to allow the Jews to return to their land and rebuild their temple (; ).
Solomon gave the Lord several reasons why the Lord should forgive His people when they repented and returned to Him.
In verse 51, Solomon reminds God that they were His people whom He had purchased and delivered from Egyptian bondage.
Also that Israel was His special people, separated from the other nations to glorify God and accomplish His mission on earth.
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Finally, Solomon closed his prayer.
Finally, Solomon closed his prayer.
He closed his prayer by asking the Lord to keep His eyes upon the temple and the people who worshiped there, and to keep His ears open to the requests of the people who prayed at the temple or toward the temple (). His benediction in verse 41 is found in . Israel was no longer a pilgrim people, but they still needed the Lord to guide and help them. (See also the words of Moses in .) Thanks to David’s victories on the battlefield, God had kept His promise and given Israel rest; but as Andrew Bonar said, “Let us be as watchful after the victory as before the battle.” Solomon closed the prayer with a plea that the Lord not reject him, the anointed king, David’s son and heir. “Remember the mercies of your servant David” (, nkjv), referring to God’s promises to David in the covenant (; ).
He asked the Lord to keep His eyes upon the temple and the people who worshiped there.
He asked the Lord to keep His eyes upon the temple and the people who worshiped there.
And he asked the LORD to keep His ears open to the requests of the people who prayed to Him.
Israel was no longer a wandering people.
But they as much as ever needed the Lord to guide and help them.
See also the words of Moses in .) Thanks to David’s victories on the battlefield, God had kept His promise and given Israel rest; but as Andrew Bonar said, “Let us be as watchful after the victory as before the battle.” Solomon closed the prayer with a plea that the Lord not reject him, the anointed king, David’s son and heir. “Remember the mercies of your servant David” (, nkjv), referring to God’s promises to David in the covenant (; ).
These “sure mercies of David” (, nkjv) involve the coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, to be the Savior of the world ().
v54-61
v54-61
The king had been kneeling on the special platform near the altar, his hands lifted to God, but now he stood to give the people a blessing from the Lord.
The king had been kneeling on the special platform near the altar, his hands lifted to God, but now he stood to give the people a blessing from the Lord.
Usually it was the priests who blessed the people.
Usually it was the priests who blessed the people.
But on a special occasion such as this, the king would give the blessing as David did.
And so Solomon blessed the whole assembly and through them the entire nation.
Solomon also gave thanks to God for His great mercies.
Solomon concluded that the promises of God had never failed, not even once.
Israel, on the other hand, had failed the LORD often.
God promised Moses that He would give the nation rest, and He did … He brought them into the land.
Moses had told the people that when they had entered into the promised rest, God would give them a central place where they could offer their sacrifices and worship God.
He promised Moses that He would give the nation rest, and He did (). By His power, He enabled Joshua to overcome the nations in Canaan and claim the land for Israel’s inheritance. Moses told the people that when they had entered into the promised rest, God would give them a central sanctuary where they could offer their sacrifices and worship God (); and now that temple had been provided. In his farewell speech to the leaders, Joshua emphasized the same truth (, and see 21:45). But Joshua also reminded them that the warnings would be fulfilled as well as the promises, and he cautioned them to obey the Lord in all things.
Now that temple had been provided.
As recorded in , in his farewell speech, Joshua emphasized this same truth.
He said, “Not one thing has failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spoke concerning you.”
Do not read below:
ot one thing has failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spoke concerning you.
“Behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth. And you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one thing has failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spoke concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one word of them has failed. Therefore it shall come to pass, that as all the good things have come upon you which the Lord your God promised you, so the Lord will bring upon you all harmful things, until He has destroyed you from this good land which the Lord your God has given you.
And Joshua reminded them that the warnings would be fulfilled as well as the promises.
The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
But Joshua also reminded them that the warnings would be fulfilled as well as the promises, and he cautioned them to obey the Lord in all things.
So he cautioned them to obey the Lord in all things.
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Solomon emphasized that the Lord would not leave His people or forsake them.
Solomon emphasized that the Lord would not leave His people or forsake them.
God was with Abraham during his life, and He promised to be with Isaac.
He renewed this promise to Moses, and Moses repeated it to Joshua.
The Lord Himself also gave the promise to Joshua in Joshua 1.
God also gave it to Gideon.
And the prophet Samuel repeated it to the nation in 1 Samuel 12.
And David encouraged Solomon with this promise when he appointed him to build the temple.
After the days of Solomon, the Prophet Isaiah repeated this promise and gave comfort to the Jewish people who would experience the Babylonian captivity.
The Lord used it to encourage Jeremiah.
And Jesus gave it to His disciples before He ascended to the Father.
And the church possesses this same promise.
The church today can claim the promise just as did believers long ago (). See also ; , ; .
Solomon also asked God to help him and his people to have hearts that were inclined to the Lord and eager to obey His commandments.
He was almost quoting :
Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!
So, Solomon admonished the people to have sincere hearts and to follow the Lord wholeheartedly.
He knew the Book of Deuteronomy and must have had 5:29 in mind—“Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!” (nkjv). Solomon admonished the people to have sincere hearts and to follow the Lord wholeheartedly (v. 61).
Finally, Solomon asked the Lord to remember the prayer that he had spoken with his lips and from his heart (vv. 59–60). Our spoken words are but breath and sound, and they vanish almost immediately. It encourages us to know that no believing prayer spoken to the Lord is ever forgotten, for God remembers our prayers and answers them in His time and in His own way. (See and 8:3.) Solomon’s prayer was not selfish. He wanted the people of Israel to be faithful to the Lord so that all the nations of the earth might come to know and trust the God of Israel. How encouraging to know that the prayer of one man could touch and influence a whole world! God still wants His house to be called “a house of prayer for all nations.”
According to , God answered Solomon’s prayer by sending fire from heaven to consume the offering and the sacrifices.
Do not read below:
2 Chronicles 7:
When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. And the priests could not enter the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord’s house. When all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the Lord on the temple, they bowed their faces to the ground on the pavement, and worshiped and praised the Lord, saying: “For He is good, For His mercy endures forever.”
And the people all responded by bowing to the ground and praising the Lord crying out, “For He is good, For His mercy endures forever.”
The Lord answered Solomon’s request by sending fire from heaven to consume the sacrifices on the altar, and once again the glory of God filled the house (). God sent fire from heaven when Aaron the priest blessed the people (), and also when Elijah the prophet called upon God (). Now he sent fire when Solomon the king offered his prayer and his sacrifices to the Lord. But the people all responded by bowing to the ground and praising the Lord. Imagine the sound of thousands of people shouting, “Truly He is good, truly His lovingkindness is everlasting” (, nasb). God had accepted the prayer of the king and the worship of the people!
Imagine the sound of thousands of people shouting, “Truly He is good, truly His lovingkindness is everlasting” (, nasb). God had accepted the prayer of the king and the worship of the people!
v62-66
v62-66
The Temple was completed and the feast of Tabernacles in which people were to travel to the central sanctuary was being observed.
The Temple was completed and the feast of Tabernacles in which people were to travel to the central sanctuary was being observed.
So then, there were many people from all over Israel … from the southernmost boundary of the kingdom to the northernmost boundary.
So then, there were many people from all over Israel … from the southernmost boundary of the kingdom to the northernmost boundary.
The assembly that gathered for the dedication of the temple came from the southernmost boundary of the kingdom (“the river of Egypt” = the Wadi of Egypt) to the northernmost boundary (“the entrance to Hamath”) and formed a “great congregation” (v. 65, nkjv; and see 4:21).
Many of them brought sacrifices to the Lord and Solomon himself provided 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep and goats.
The new altar was too small for the offering of so many animals, so to expedite matters, the king sanctified the courtyard and it was used for sacrifices.
It was customary to feast and rejoice during the week set aside for the Feast of Tabernacles.
The feast celebrated God’s gracious care of His people during their years in the wilderness, and the people of Israel could look back and give thanks.
But now they could look around and give thanks for the new temple, the promises of God, and the presence of the glory of the Lord.
Regular sacrifices were offered, but also peace offerings.
The peace offering was presented to the Lord, but part of the meat was given to the priests and part was kept by the worshiper.
The offerer’s family could then enjoy a feast and have friends over to enjoy it with them.
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So, looking at verse 65, and balancing this with , the dedication lasted one week and then the feast lasted another week.
So, looking at verse 65, and balancing this with , the dedication lasted one week and then the feast lasted another week.
Then the event closed with a day of solemn assembly.
Then the event closed with a day of solemn assembly.
The meat of the fellowship offering could only be eaten for 2 days.
While some churches go overboard on eating—“the Upper Room has become the supper room”—there is nothing wrong with God’s people eating together. Jesus often used meal settings to teach the Word, and the early church occasionally held what was called “a love feast” (agape), a potluck meal that may have been the only decent meal some of the members had all week, especially the slaves (, ; ). The members of the various Jerusalem assemblies often ate together (; ; ), and hospitality was a virtue often encouraged in the epistles (; ; ; ; ; ; ). “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (, nkjv).
All leftovers had to be burned on the 3rd day.
So then, the fellowship offerings must have been offered day after day to last out the week for this great assembly.
Ultimately, the peace offering symbolizes Jesus Christ Who is our peace and Who has given us the gift of His peace.
Because of His sacrifice on the cross, we have “peace with God” (), and by surrendering to Him, we can have “the peace of God” in our hearts ().
Do not read below:
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
We partake of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ as we read the Word and make it a part of our lives, and as we obey what it commands.
God’s people “feed” on Jesus Christ as we read the Word and make it a part of our lives, and as we obey what it commands. Jesus Christ is the center of our fellowship, just as at the dedication of the temple the peace offerings were the center of the fellowship.
Jesus Christ is the center of our fellowship, just as at the dedication of the temple the peace offerings were the center of the fellowship.
Let’s pray:
Such meetings are occasions for both joy and solemnity. “Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling” (, nkjv). When the Holy Spirit is in control, both rejoicing and reverence will characterize the gathering.
Prayer: Lord Father we thank You for this time we’ve had together studying Your Word and we ask that You would make it fertile in our lives to do what You desire. Help us to be devoted to You and to Your Word. Thank You for loving us so much and may Your desires become our desires as we seek to glorify You in our lives.