1 KINGS CHAPTER 8 The feast of the dedication of the temple; the ark of the covenant with the holy instruments are brought into it; the Lord giveth a token of his presence, 1 KINGS 8:1. Solomon's blessing and thanksgiving, 1 KINGS 8:12. His prayer, 1 KINGS 8:22. His sacrifice of peace-offerings, 1 K... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THE MEN OF ISRAEL; not only the chief men who were particularly invited, but a vast number of the common people, as being forward to see and to join in this great and glorious solemnity. AT THE FEAST: understand either, first, The feast of tabernacles. Or rather, secondly, The feast of the dedic... [ Continue Reading ]
For although the Levites might do this, NUMBERS 4:15, yet the priests did it at this time, partly for the greater honour of the solemnity, and partly because the Levites might not enter into the holy place, much less into the holy of holies, where it was to be placed, into which the priests themselv... [ Continue Reading ]
THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION; that made by Moses, which doubtless before this time had been translated from Gibeon to Zion, and now, together with other things, was put into the treasuries of the Lord's house, to prevent all the superstitious use and profane abuse of it, and to oblige the peop... [ Continue Reading ]
SACRIFICING SHEEP AND OXEN; either, first, In the way, David did upon the like occasion, 2 SAMUEL 6:13. Or, secondly, When the ark was come into the priests court, where the altar stood, whence it was speedily to be conveyed to that place where the people could never behold it more. Or rather, third... [ Continue Reading ]
INTO THE ORACLE OF THE HOUSE, i.e. to that part of the house which is called the oracle, 1 KINGS 6:5,16,19,23; or, as it here follows, THE MOST HOLY PLACE. UNDER THE WINGS OF THE CHERUBIMS, to wit, of Solomon's new-made cherubims, 1 KINGS 6:23,24,27; not of the Mosaical cherubims, which were far les... [ Continue Reading ]
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THEY DREW OUT THE STAVES; not wholly, which was expressly forbidden, EXODUS 25:15 NUMBERS 4:6; but in part. IN THE HOLY PLACE; either, first, Properly so called; which place was indeed BEFORE THE ORACLE, But how then could it be said that they were not seen without, to wit, in the holy place? For th... [ Continue Reading ]
NOTHING IN THE ARK; strictly and properly: for in a more large sense, as in is oft taken for _by_ or _near_, as is confessed, and hath been proved before; so _the pot of manna_ and _Aaron's rod_ were also _in it_, HEBREWS 9:4, i.e. by it, to wit, in the most holy place, before the ark of the testimo... [ Continue Reading ]
OUT OF THE HOLY PLACE; either, first, The most holy place, into which the priests had now entered to carry in the ark. Or rather, secondly, The holy place, where they might have _stood to minister_, if the cloud had not hindered them, as may be gathered from the next verse. THE CLOUD; the usual toke... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE OF THE CLOUD; because the cloud was either so bright that it dazzled their eyes; or rather so dark, that it struck them with horror and amazement, as is implied in the next verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
Perceiving both priests and people struck with horror and wonder at this darkness, he minds them that this was no sign of God's dislike or disfavour, as some of them might possibly imagine; but a token of his approbation, and grace, and special presence among them. THE LORD SAID; not in express word... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE SURELY BUILT THEE AN HOUSE TO DWELL IN; I perceive by this thick darkness that thou art coming among us, and therefore make haste and come, O thou blessed Guest, into the dwelling-place which I have built by thy command, and for thy service. A SETTLED PLACE FOR THEE TO ABIDE IN FOR EVER; not... [ Continue Reading ]
THE KING TURNED HIS FACE ABOUT, from the temple, towards which he was looking to observe that thick and extraordinary darkness, to the body of the congregation. BLESSED ALL THE CONGREGATION OF ISRAEL, or, _blessed_ (to wit, _the Lord_, which is easily understood from the following words; in which he... [ Continue Reading ]
Praised be God, both for his grace in making such a promise, and for his goodness and truth in fulfilling it.... [ Continue Reading ]
SINCE THE DAY THAT I BROUGHT FORTH MY PEOPLE ISRAEL OUT OF EGYPT, until David's time; for then he did choose Jerusalem. I CHOSE NO CITY, i.e. I did not declare my choice of it; for so _choosing_ is used for declaring or executing one's choice, as DEUTERONOMY 12:1 2 CHRONICLES 6:5 MALACHI 2:12, and t... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE HEART OF DAVID MY FATHER; in his desire and purpose, as this or the like phrase is used, 1 SAMUEL 10:7, 1 SAMUEL 14:7 2 SAMUEL 7:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
Thy intention and affection was well-pleasing to me.... [ Continue Reading ]
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THE COVENANT OF THE LORD, i.e. the tables of the covenant, by a metonymy, wherein the conditions of God's covenant with Israel are written.... [ Continue Reading ]
SOLOMON STOOD upon a scaffold set up for him in the court of the people, 2 CHRONICLES 6:13. BEFORE THE ALTAR OF THE LORD, with his face towards the altar of burnt-offerings. IN THE PRESENCE OF ALL THE CONGREGATION OF ISRAEL, who stood round about the scaffold, in the same court with him.... [ Continue Reading ]
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THAT THOU PROMISEDST HIM; that branch of thy promise concerning the building of this house by David's son.... [ Continue Reading ]
KEEP WITH THY SERVANT DAVID MY FATHER THAT THOU PROMISEDST HIM; make good the other branch of thy promise, and do not lose the glory of thy faithfulness, which now thou hast got.... [ Continue Reading ]
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Reflecting upon God's performance of his promise concerning the building of the temple, he breaks forth into admiration, Is it possible that the great, and high, and lofty God should stoop so low, as to take up his dwelling here amongst men? O astonishing condescension! THE HEAVEN; all this vast spa... [ Continue Reading ]
Though thou art not comprehended within this place, yet show thyself to be graciously present here, by accepting and granting my present requests here tendered unto thee.... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT THINE EYES MAY BE OPEN to behold, to wit, with an eye of favour and compassion. So it is a synecdochical expression: compare PSALMS 33:18, PSALMS 34:15 MALACHI 12:4. MY NAME; my presence, and glory, and grace. SEE POOLE ON "1 KINGS 8:16". TOWARDS THIS PLACE; this temple, to which Solomon did no... [ Continue Reading ]
THY DWELLING-PLACE; which he adds, that the people might not idolize the temple, nor presume upon it, as if God were now fast tied to them, as having no other dwelling-place; and to direct them in all their addresses to God in his temple, to lift up their eyes above it, even to heaven, where God's m... [ Continue Reading ]
IF ANY MAN TRESPASS, i.e. if he be accused of a trespass. AN OATH BE LAID UPON HIM; either by the judge, or by the party accusing him, or by the accused person himself; which was usual, when there were no witnesses. See EXODUS 22:8,11 NUM 5:12,15, &c. AND THE OATH COME BEFORE THINE ALTAR IN THIS HOU... [ Continue Reading ]
TO BRING HIS WAY, i.e. the just recompence of his wicked action and course. JUSTIFYING THE RIGHTEOUS, TO GIVE HIM ACCORDING TO HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS; to vindicate him, and to manifest his integrity.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND CONFESS THY NAME; give glory to thy name, by acknowledging their sins, and thy justice; and by accepting the punishment of their iniquity; and by trusting to thy power and goodness alone for their deliverance.... [ Continue Reading ]
BRING THEM AGAIN, from the land into which they are supposed to be carried by their enemies, into Canaan. QUEST. If they were banished into a strange land, how could they pray IN THIS HOUSE, as they are said to do, 1 KINGS 8:33 ? ANSW. 1. That may be rendered _to_ or _towards this house_, as it is... [ Continue Reading ]
HEAVEN; the lower heaven, in which the clouds are; as DEUTERONOMY 11:17 PSALMS 147:8. IS SHUT UP; the heaven is compared to a great store-house in God's keeping, out of which nothing can be had so long as it is close shut up. IF THEY TURN FROM THEIR SIN, WHEN THOU AFFLICTEST THEM; do not reject thei... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT THOU TEACH THEM; that their sin being pardoned, and thou being reconciled unto them, mayest vouchsafe to teach them. Or rather, as our translators render the very same words, 2 CHRONICLES 6:27, _when thou shalt teach_, or _hast taught them_; not only by thy word, for that was done before; but b... [ Continue Reading ]
CATERPILLAR, i.e. the plague of locusts, or caterpillars, infesting a land by their great numbers, and venomous or noxious qualities; of which see EXODUS 10:4,5 DEU 28:42 PSALMS 105:34,35. WHATSOEVER PLAGUE; that chiefly signifies an extraordinary judgment sent from God.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PLAGUE OF HIS OWN HEART, i.e. either, 1. His sin, which may be called _the plague of his heart_, in opposition to the other plagues here mentioned, which afflict only the body, or outward man; so the sense is, Who by their afflictions are brought to a true and serious sense of their worse and i... [ Continue Reading ]
ACCORDING TO HIS WAYS; according to his repentance or impenitency. I pray with more hope and confidence, because I do not desire that thou wouldst deliver such as are insensible of thy judgments, and their sin; but only those who truly know the plague of their own heart, in manner before explained.... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT THEY MAY FEAR THEE; that when thou hast first smitten them, and then so eminently delivered them, and that in answer to their prayer, they may hereby be taught to fear thee, and thy justice, and thy goodness.... [ Continue Reading ]
This may note either, 1. The end of his coming, that he may worship and glorify thy name; or rather, 2. The motive or occasion of his coming, which was the fame of God's greatness, and power, and kindness to his people; as the following words explain it.... [ Continue Reading ]
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DO ACCORDING TO ALL THAT THE STRANGER CALLETH TO THEE FOR, to wit, agreeable to thy will and word; for he would not have them heard, if they had prayed for any thing dishonourable to God, or destructive to his people. It is observable, that his prayer for the strangers is more large and comprehensiv... [ Continue Reading ]
WITHERSOEVER THOU SHALT SEND THEM, i.e. in a just cause, and by thy warrant or commission; whereby he implies that it was unlawful for them to undertake any war merely for their own glory or lust, or to enlarge their empire beyond its due bounds; and that they could not with safe conscience pray to... [ Continue Reading ]
Declare the justice of their cause, by giving them the victory.... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE IS NO MAN THAT SINNETH NOT: the universal corruption of man's whole race and nature makes me presage that they will fall into sins; and withal, makes me to hope that thou wilt not be severe to deal with them as their sins deserve.... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THEY SHALL BETHINK THEMSELVES, Heb. _bring back their hearts_, to wit, their sin; expressed 1 KINGS 8:46, and implied in the following word, REPENT. SAYING, sensibly, and with an honest heart, WE HAVE SINNED, & c.... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH ALL THEIR HEART, AND WITH ALL THEIR SOUL, i.e. sincerely, universally, and stedfastly.... [ Continue Reading ]
Heb. _their right_, against their invaders and oppressors. For they had forfeited all their rights to God only, but not to their enemies; whom though God used as scourges to chastise his people's sins, yet they had no pretence of right to their land, nor any regard to it; but only minded the satisfa... [ Continue Reading ]
i.e. May gently use them whilst they are there, and proclaim liberty to their captives to go to their own land.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY BE THY PEOPLE; for howsoever they may sin against thee, or suffer from men, yet still remember that they are thy peculiar people, and therefore do thou pity, and pardon, and save them. THE FURNACE OF IRON; so called, either from the metal melted in it; or rather, from the matter of which it con... [ Continue Reading ]
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THOU DIDST SEPARATE THEM TO BE THINE INHERITANCE; thou hast begun to build a work of great and glorious mercy to them; do not give occasion to thine enemies to think thou wast unable to finish it; or that thou art unstable in thy ways and counsels, or unkind to thine own children.... [ Continue Reading ]
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THERE HATH NOT FAILED ONE WORD OF ALL HIS GOOD PROMISE: see the like JOSHUA 21:45, JOSHUA 23:14 2 KINGS 10:10.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD OUR GOD BE WITH US, by the presence of his grace and mercy.... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT HE MAY INCLINE OUR HEARTS UNTO HIM; that he may not only bless us with outward prosperity and glory, but especially with spiritual blessings; and that as he hath given us his word and statutes to teach and direct us, so he would by his Holy Spirit effectually incline and engage our hearts to ke... [ Continue Reading ]
OF HIS SERVANT, i.e. of me, as 1 KINGS 8:28, their king, and consequently of all my successors. AND THE CAUSE OF HIS PEOPLE ISRAEL, according to mine or their various necessities and exigencies.... [ Continue Reading ]
Both by our virtuous and holy lives, to which thou inclinest us by thy grace; and by the eminent manifestations of thy power and goodness, in defending and delivering us from all the assaults and devices of our enemies.... [ Continue Reading ]
PERFECT, i.e. sincere and serious in your purposes of obedience; for sinless perfection he himself taught them was not to be expected here, ECCLESIASTES 7:20.... [ Continue Reading ]
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SOLOMON OFFERED A SACRIFICE, by the hands of the priests. A HUNDRED AND TWENTY THOUSAND SHEEP; not all in one day, but in the seven, or, it may be, in the fourteen days, mentioned 1 KINGS 8:65. So, i.e. by these sacrifices and holy exercises. DEDICATED THE HOUSE OF THE LORD, i.e. began to set it apa... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MIDDLE OF THE COURT, to wit, of the priests court, in which the great altar was. This he consecrated as he did the great altar, to wit, by sacrifices; but with this difference, that he consecrated that for lasting and perpetual use, but this only for the present time and occasion, being warrante... [ Continue Reading ]
HELD A FEAST, i.e. kept the solemnity. _From the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt_; the usual and known bounds of the land, in the utmost length of it; of which see NUMBERS 34:8 JOSHUA 13:5 JUDGES 3:3. BEFORE THE LORD, i.e. before the temple, and as in God's presence. SEVEN DAYS AND SEV... [ Continue Reading ]
Solomon having joined with the people in the solemn assembly, which was kept on the eighth day, in the close of that day and service he took his solemn farewell, and dismissed them with his blessing; and the next morning when the heads and elders who came to Solomon upon this special summons, above,... [ Continue Reading ]