1 KINGS—NOTE ON 1 KINGS 8:1 The ark of the covenant of God was the
great symbol of the Lord’s presence with his people and the place
where the tablets of the law were kept (Exodus 25:10; Deuteronomy
10:1; Joshua 3:1). It had remained for some time in a tent sanctuary
somewhere in the old city of Dav... [ Continue Reading ]
1 KINGS—NOTE ON 1 KINGS 8:2 THE FEAST IN... THE SEVENTH MONTH is the
Feast of Booths (see vv. 1 Kings 8:65; Leviticus 23:33), during which
the Israelites were to live in temporary shelters as a reminder of the
exodus. It was observed in September/October.
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1 KINGS—NOTE ON 1 KINGS 8:3 THE PRIESTS TOOK UP THE ARK. The ark had
remained in a tent sanctuary somewhere in the old city of David (2
Samuel 6:16; 2 Samuel 7:2; 1 Kings 3:15). Only priests could have
taken it right into the inner sanctuary of the temple. Moving the ark,
along with the TENT OF MEET... [ Continue Reading ]
1 KINGS—NOTE ON 1 KINGS 8:9 Though the ark had once contained the
jar of manna and Aaron’s rod (Hebrews 9:4; see Exodus 16:32; Numbers
17:10), there was now NOTHING IN THE ARK EXCEPT THE TWO TABLETS OF
STONE on which were written the Ten Commandments.
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1 KINGS—NOTE ON 1 KINGS 8:10 A CLOUD was often associated with
God’s appearing in the OT (e.g., Exodus 13:21; Exodus 16:10; Exodus
19:9). A cloud also covered the tabernacle upon its completion in
Exodus 40:34.
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1 KINGS—NOTE ON 1 KINGS 8:12 THICK DARKNESS. Compare Exodus 20:21;
Deuteronomy 4:11.
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1 KINGS—NOTE ON 1 KINGS 8:17 A HOUSE FOR THE NAME OF THE LORD. The
word “name” is used in vv. 1 Kings 8:16 and in vv. 1 Kings 8:22 to
avoid saying that God himself actually dwells in the temple (see also
1 Kings 3:2; 1 Kings 5:3, 1 Kings 5:5). God’s presence in the temple
was real, for God’s “name”... [ Continue Reading ]
1 KINGS—NOTE ON 1 KINGS 8:22 The ark of the covenant has arrived in
the temple (vv. 1 Kings 8:1), and Solomon has addressed the people
about the meaning of the event (vv. 1 Kings 8:14). He now prays to the
Lord, reflecting on how God “dwells” in the temple. Each of the
seven sections of the prayer i... [ Continue Reading ]
1 KINGS—NOTE ON 1 KINGS 8:27 WILL GOD INDEED DWELL ON THE EARTH? The
temple is a special place where God’s NAME is, a place toward which
his EYES are OPEN (see Isaiah 66:1). Though God will dwell in the
temple (1 Kings 8:10, 1 Kings 8:13; see note on 1 Sam. 4:3–4), it is
not to be thought of as the... [ Continue Reading ]
1 KINGS—NOTE ON 1 KINGS 8:31 IF A MAN SINS AGAINST HIS NEIGHBOR.
This is the first of seven specific petitions in Solomon’s prayer.
It concerns a legal case that is impossible to resolve in any normal
way because of difficulty with evidence or witnesses (see 1 Kings
3:16). A priestly ritual is invol... [ Continue Reading ]
1 KINGS—NOTE ON 1 KINGS 8:33 WHEN YOUR PEOPLE ISRAEL ARE DEFEATED.
The second, third, and fourth petitions concern defeat in battle,
followed by exile from the LAND (vv. 1 Kings 8:33), drought (vv. 1
Kings 8:35), and other difficulties. In each case the cause of the
problem is sin. The people need t... [ Continue Reading ]
1 KINGS—NOTE ON 1 KINGS 8:46 CARRIED AWAY CAPTIVE. The seventh
petition returns to defeat and exile, the major concern of the prayer.
In exile, if the people should REPENT and pray toward LAND, CITY, and
temple (v. 1 Kings 8:48; see Daniel 6:10 for the practice), then God
is asked to take them back... [ Continue Reading ]
1 KINGS—NOTE ON 1 KINGS 8:54 These verses tell of Solomon’s second
address to the people (1 Kings 8:54), of the conclusion of the
temple’s dedication (1 Kings 8:62), and of God’s second appearance
to Solomon. The Lord responds to Solomon’s prayer with some solemn
words about dynasty and temple, peop... [ Continue Reading ]
1 KINGS—NOTE ON 1 KINGS 8:65 FROM LEBO-HAMATH TO THE BROOK OF EGYPT.
This phrase designates the whole Solomonic empire. It is similar to
phrases in 1 Kings 4:21, 1 Kings 4:24.
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