1 Kings 8:1-11. Dedication of the Temple. Bringing up of the ark and the holy vessels. The glory of the Lord fills the house (2 Chronicles 5:2-14) 1. _Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel_ The LXX. (_Vat_.) prefaces this chapter with the words -And it came to pass when Solomon had finished bu... [ Continue Reading ]
_at the feast in the month Ethanim which_is _the seventh month_ Josephus tells us that the feast of tabernacles fell at this time, and that that festival and the dedication services were combined into one great feast. We know from Leviticus 23:34, that the feast of tabernacles commenced on the fifte... [ Continue Reading ]
_all the elders_ The other representative persons mentioned in 1 Kings 8:1 are all no doubt to be included in this phrase. _the priests took up the ark_ This duty was usually performed by the Levites (cf. Numbers 2:31), but on very solemn occasions the priests undertook it (see Joshua 3:6; Joshua 6:... [ Continue Reading ]
_and the tabernacle of the congregation_ Better, as in other places, THE TENT OF MEETING. This consecrated tent, which had up to this time stood in Gibeon, was now taken down, and the curtains and poles of which it consisted seem to have been brought to the Temple to be preserved. There was probably... [ Continue Reading ]
were _with him before the ark_ This must refer to the time when the great procession had reached the Temple court. At that spot the ark was set down, and king and people joined in a solemn sacrifice, before the priests bore the ark into the most holy place.... [ Continue Reading ]
_even under the wings of the cherubims_ The outspread wings of the cherubim extended across the whole width of the oracle (1 Kings 6:27) and their wings touched one another in the middle of the house. Beneath these wings that touched, the ark was set down. As it was only a cubit and a half high (Exo... [ Continue Reading ]
_covered the ark and the staves thereof above_ The ark appears to have been placed lengthwise, (the length was two cubits and a half,) beneath the wings of the cherubim. Thus the staves also would lie along in the rings and so be overshadowed by the wings.... [ Continue Reading ]
_And they drew out the staves_ The verb either means transitively -to make long" or intransitively -to be long," and the better rendering is -the staves were long." We are nowhere told how long the staves were made, but no doubt they were of considerable length that there might be no danger of the b... [ Continue Reading ]
There was _nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone_ We read in Hebrews 9:4 that in the ark of the covenant -was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded" as well as the tables of the covenant, and we may be sure that the writer there speaks according to tradition. The Old T... [ Continue Reading ]
_the cloud filled the house of the Lord The_cloud was the veil which hid the glory of the Lord. The article denotes that it was something well known and perhaps permanent. Cf. Exodus 40:34-35 where it is said -the cloud covered the tent of meeting and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle, and... [ Continue Reading ]
_could not stand to minister_ i.e. At the altar of incense which stood within the holy place. God's presence was diffused through every part of the edifice, thus claiming the whole as set apart to Him.... [ Continue Reading ]
Solomon's opening blessing (2 Chronicles 6:1-11) 12. _The Lord said that_he _would dwell in the thick darkness_ Better, as in 2 Chronicles 6:1, -The Lord HATH said, &c." The king's words are called forth by what he sees: the house enveloped in a thick cloud such that none could remain within nor ent... [ Continue Reading ]
_I have surely built thee a house to dwell in_ R.V. - A HOUSE OF HABITATION," which is more literal, but not a more elegant rendering. The king sees that God has deigned to accept the house that has been built, and his desire that God may always dwell there fashions the language which he uses. It is... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the king turned his face about_ He had spoken at first looking towards the Temple, and beholding the cloud which told that God was there. _and blessed all the congregation_ The words which follow (15 21) are not words of benediction on the people, but thanksgiving to God. We must suppose the l... [ Continue Reading ]
_the Lord God of Israel_ R.V. -The Lord, THE God of Israel." This change, which should be constantly made, will not be further noticed. See chap. 1 Kings 1:30. _which spake with his mouth unto David my father_ The allusion is to the words of 2 Samuel 7:5-7, where God by the prophet Nathan forbids D... [ Continue Reading ]
_that my name might be therein_ The expression in the Pentateuch is constant about the place which is dedicated to the worship of God: -God records His name there" (Exodus 20:24); -God chooses it to put His name there" (Deuteronomy 12:5); -God chooses it to cause His name to dwell there" (Deuteronom... [ Continue Reading ]
_And it was in the heart_, &c. The conjunction is better rendered in 2 Chronicles 6:7, - NOW it was in the heart." The two should be alike.... [ Continue Reading ]
_thou shalt not build the house_ It was not necessary for Solomon to add the reasons given in 1 Chronicles 22:8, -Thou hast shed blood abundantly and hast made great wars.... [ Continue Reading ]
_the ark, wherein_is _the covenant of the Lord_ It has just been said (1 Kings 8:9) that only the two tables of stone were in the ark. They must then be meant by -the covenant of the Lord," and this is borne out by such passages as Deuteronomy 4:23; Deuteronomy 29:25, where the covenant alluded to f... [ Continue Reading ]
Solomon's prayer (2 Chronicles 6:12-42) 22. _And Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord_ This was the altar of burnt offerings which stood in the Temple court. In 2 Chronicles 6:13 we have an explanation which is omitted here, "For Solomon had made a brazen scaffold of five cubits long, and fiv... [ Continue Reading ]
_who keepest covenant and mercy_ The phrase is found in Deuteronomy 7:9; Deuteronomy 7:12. In God's intent, the covenant and the mercy were the same thing. It was transgression on man's part which called forth any other character in the covenant. _with thy servants_ The LXX. has the singular, thus r... [ Continue Reading ]
_so that thy children take heed_ In modern English -so that" = -if only," -provided that," is not common, but was so when the A.V. was made. Cf. Shakespeare, _All's Well_, ii. 4. 20, "_So that_you had her wrinkles, and I her money, I would she did as you say." See also _Richard II_. iii. 4. 102. The... [ Continue Reading ]
_will God in very deed dwell on the earth?_ The LXX. adds -with men." _the heaven and heaven of heavens_ The expression is found in Deuteronomy 10:14; Ps. 67:36, Ps. 113:16, and is used to express the widest compass of heaven. _this house which I have builded_ The LXX. adds -for Thy name.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Yet have thou respect_ Literally the Hebrew is "Yet thou wilt have respect." The tense is chosen to intimate the assurance in the mind of the king that the prayers made will be answered.... [ Continue Reading ]
even _toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there_ These words refer back to 1 Kings 8:16, and appear to imply all that is contained in the expansion there alluded to from 2 Chronicles 6:6 that God had chosen Jerusalem as the place for His temple. -My name" indicates God's revel... [ Continue Reading ]
_If any man trespass_ Here Solomon enters on a series of specific petitions, the first of which is concerning any case of trespass, in which he implores that God would uphold the sanctity of an oath. The sense of -trespass" in this verse must be = -be supposed to have trespassed." The person presume... [ Continue Reading ]
_then hear thou_in _heaven_ As the truth in such a case as is supposed can be known to God alone, He is prayed to act the part assigned to judges in the Law (cf. Deuteronomy 25:1) and to make known in His own way which persons take the oath justly, and which unjustly. The close imitation of the lang... [ Continue Reading ]
_When thy people Israel be smitten down before the enemy_ Such an event is contemplated in the language of Leviticus (Leviticus 26:17) and Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 28:25) as well as the restoration and delivery of the people on their repentance (see Leviticus 26:40-42). _because they have sinned aga... [ Continue Reading ]
_When heaven is shut up_ The king next intreats against a plague of drought. This also had been proclaimed in the Pentateuch as one of God's methods of discipline and punishment. So Deuteronomy 11:17 the people are warned to beware of sin lest the Lord shut up the heaven that there be no rain; and i... [ Continue Reading ]
_forgive the sin of thy servants and of thy people Israel_ Probably Solomon means by -servants" the kings who should hereafter reign over Israel. The LXX. evidently thought this, for there we only have -thy servant" meaning the king at the time being. _that thou teach them_ The rendering should rat... [ Continue Reading ]
_If there be in the land famine_ In this verse the king gathers together various judgements which God had threatened on His people if they sinned. For famine cf. Leviticus 26:20; Deuteronomy 11:17: for blasting and mildew, Deuteronomy 28:22; for locust, Deuteronomy 28:38. The particular insect rende... [ Continue Reading ]
_which shall know every man the plague of his own heart_ i.e. The special infliction which is sent to him for his own correction, and for the relief of which he only can fitly pray.... [ Continue Reading ]
_whose heart thou knowest_ This is the other aspect. God will know whether the discipline have wrought its effect, whether the heart have been plagued in such wise as to bring about repentance.... [ Continue Reading ]
_that they may fear thee_ i.e. Being instructed and warned by God's judgements may cease to offend and in consequence need no more correction. Cf. Psalms 130:4. -There is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Moreover concerning a stranger_ Consideration for the stranger was a marked feature of the Jewish legislation. Cf. Exodus 22:21; Exodus 23:9; Exodus 23:12, &c. So he is not to be excluded from spiritual privileges. Josephus makes Solomon enlarge on this characteristic thus: "And I do not ask from T... [ Continue Reading ]
_of thy strong hand, and of thy stretched out arm_ A constant phrase in Deuteronomy to express God's power, see Deuteronomy 3:24; Deuteronomy 4:34; Deuteronomy 5:15, &c. The greater part of 1 Kings 8:41 and the whole of 42 are omitted in the LXX. (_Vat_.). _when he shall come and pray towards this... [ Continue Reading ]
_that this house … is called by thy name_ The literal rendering of the Hebrew -that thy name is called upon this house," though not so good English, brings out more of the true notion of the words _viz._, that God has taken up His abode there, and that there men may approach very near unto Him.... [ Continue Reading ]
_If thy people go out to battle_ The case here is of a war undertaken by God's direction, and therefore in a righteous cause. Under such circumstances the people may trust in Him for support. _shall pray unto the Lord toward the city_ Not only the Jews but other people were wont to turn their faces... [ Continue Reading ]
_If they sin against thee_ With the language of these verses concerning the delivery of Israel into the hand of their enemies for their sins, the Chapter s of Leviticus (26.) and Deuteronomy (28) already frequently quoted should be compared. Though the verbal resemblance is less than in some other p... [ Continue Reading ]
_and maintain their cause_ The words are the same as in 1 Kings 8:45, but the idea is a little different. There the -cause" was a righteous war undertaken at God's direction; here the phrase implies that God shall do His people right by delivering them from their oppressors. For though God may use t... [ Continue Reading ]
_give them compassion_ So God stirred up the heart of Cyrus to permit Israel to return from Babylon (Ezra 1:1).... [ Continue Reading ]
_from the midst of the furnace of iron_ The bondage of Egypt is so called, Deuteronomy 4:20. The idea is of the intense heat needed to melt iron in a furnace, and that with this the suffering of Israel might be compared. Cf. Isaiah 48:10; Jeremiah 11:14.... [ Continue Reading ]
_in all that they call for unto thee_ The Hebrew is literally -In all their crying unto thee," which R.V. represents more nearly by WHENSOEVER THEY CRY UNTO THEE.... [ Continue Reading ]
_As thou spakest by the hand of Moses_ The reference is to Exodus 19:5-6, where God promises that Israel shall be to Him -a peculiar treasure." -By the hand of" is a not uncommon Hebrew phrase for -by" (see below 1 Kings 8:56), and it is so represented in A. V. Thus Isaiah 20:2, -the Lord spake by I... [ Continue Reading ]
_he arose from before the altar_ In 1 Kings 8:22 we are only told that Solomon stood before the altar. It appears from this verse that the addition in 2 Chronicles 6:13, where we read that he first stood and then kneeled down before the people, gives the correct idea of what took place. Josephus tel... [ Continue Reading ]
Solomon's closing benediction (Not in Chronicles)... [ Continue Reading ]
_that hath given rest unto his people_ For Solomon's reign was to be specially a time of peace (cf. 1 Kings 2:33), and it was only in a time of profound tranquillity that the great works of the Temple and the king's house could have been carried out. This no doubt was the idea of the LXX., who make... [ Continue Reading ]
_that_he _may incline our hearts unto him_ Which will not happen if He leave or forsake His people.... [ Continue Reading ]
_be nigh unto the Lord our God day and night_ That He may have them always in remembrance. _as the matter shall require_ The Hebrew is -the thing of a day in its day" and the R.V. gives -as EVERY DAY shall require," which brings it a little closer to the original, but with no different sense from A... [ Continue Reading ]
_that all the people of the earth may know_ This was always the view of the pious Israelite that God's glory might be known among all nations. Cf. Joshua 4:24; 1 Samuel 17:46. There is nothing in 2 Chronicles of the 1 Kings 8:54-61, but preceding the account of the sacrifices we are told (2 Chronicl... [ Continue Reading ]
_perfect_ i.e. -Entirely surrendered" (_shâläm_). So in Arabic _islam_= religion as entire submission; _moslem_, the religious man as entirely devoted.... [ Continue Reading ]
The great sacrifice and festival (2 Chronicles 7:4-11) 63. _And Solomon offered a sacrifice of peace offerings_ It is ordered in the Law (Leviticus 7:15) that the greatest part of such peace offerings shall be eaten at the time of the offering. The fat and certain internal portions of the victim are... [ Continue Reading ]
_meat offerings_ These consisted (see Leviticus 2:4-7) of fine flour with oil and incense. In modern English the sense of -meat" has become so restricted to flesh, that the R.V., to give a nearer idea of the true nature of the offering, has changed the word to MEAL-OFFERING, though this does not qui... [ Continue Reading ]
_Solomon held a feast_ Better - THE feast." The special feast of Tabernacles (cf. 1 Kings 8:2), a very fitting occasion for the great multitude to make themselves an encampment in the open country around. The part played by Solomon in all this dedication ceremony shews us that the ordinances of the... [ Continue Reading ]
_On the eighth day_ i.e. Of the feast of Tabernacles, which had been preceded on this occasion by the feast of Dedication. Therefore this was the fifteenth day of the whole ceremony. It is defined in 2 Chronicles 7:10 as -the three and twentieth day of the seventh month." _and they blessed the king... [ Continue Reading ]