INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 8
This chapter gives an account of the introduction of the ark into the
temple, 1 Kings 8:1 of the glory of the Lord filling it, 1 Kings 8:10
of a speech Solomon made to the people concerning the building of the
temple, and how he came to be engaged in it, 1 Kings 8:12, of a... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN SOLOMON ASSEMBLED THE ELDERS OF ISRAEL,.... The judges in the
several cities, or senators of the great sanhedrim, as others; though
it is a question whether as yet there was such a court:
AND ALL THE HEADS OF THE TRIBES; the princes of the twelve tribes:
THE CHIEF OF THE FATHERS OF THE CHILDR... [ Continue Reading ]
AND ALL THE MEN OF ISRAEL ASSEMBLED THEMSELVES UNTO KING SOLOMON AT
THE FEAST,.... Not of tabernacles, as the Targum on 2 Chronicles 5:3
and so Jarchi; though that was in the same month next mentioned, and
began on the fifteenth of it, and held seven days; wherefore this must
be the feast of the ded... [ Continue Reading ]
AND ALL THE ELDERS OF ISRAEL CAME,.... To Zion, the city of David:
AND THE PRIESTS TOOK UP THE ARK; from thence; in 2 Chronicles 5:4 it
is said the Levites did it, whose business it was, Deuteronomy 31:25,
and so the priests might be called; for every priest was a Levite,
though every Levite was no... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY BROUGHT UP THE ARK OF THE LORD,.... From the city of David to
the temple:
AND THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION; not the tent David made for
the ark, though that might be brought also, but the tabernacle of
Moses, which had been many years at Gibeon; but now removed to Zion,
and from then... [ Continue Reading ]
AND KING SOLOMON, AND ALL THE CONGREGATION OF ISRAEL, THAT WERE
ASSEMBLED TOGETHER,.... 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 F... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE PRIESTS BROUGHT IN THE ARK OF THE COVENANT OF THE LORD UNTO
HIS PLACE,.... 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 t... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE CHERUBIM SPREAD FORTH [THEIR] TWO WINGS OVER THE PLACE OF THE
ARK,.... The most holy place where the ark stood, even from wall to
wall:
AND THE CHERUBIM COVERED THE ARK, AND THE STAVES THEREOF ABOVE; so
that neither could be seen.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY DREW OUT THE STAVES,.... Not made them larger, as Ben Gersom,
than those in the tabernacle of Moses, this place being larger than
that; nor did they draw them wholly out, and lay them up in the
sanctuary, there being no further use for them, the ark having now a
fixed place, and not to be r... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE ARK, SAVE THE TWO TABLES OF STONE WHICH MOSES
PUT THERE AT HOREB,.... That is, there were no other writings; or, as
Ben Gersom says, no other part of the law, but the decalogue otherwise
he observes there were in it Aaron's rod and the pot of manna,
according to Hebrews 9:4... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IT CAME TO PASS, WHEN THE PRIESTS WERE COME OUT OF THE HOLY
PLACE,.... The most holy place, having set up the ark of the Lord
there, who were all sanctified that were there, and did not wait by
course as at other times, see 2 Chronicles 5:11, where in 2 Chronicles
5:12 it is said, that at this t... [ Continue Reading ]
SO THAT THE PRIESTS COULD NOT STAND TO MINISTER, BECAUSE OF THE
CLOUD,.... 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... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEN SPAKE SOLOMON,.... Perceiving by this symbol that the Lord
was come into his house, to take up his dwelling in it, and 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
fulf... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE SURELY BUILT THEE AN HOUSE TO DWELL IN,.... Turning himself
from the priests and people, he quieted with a few words, he addressed
the Lord; having built an 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 wo... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE KING TURNED HIS FACE ABOUT,.... 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:
A... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SAID, BLESSED BE THE LORD GOD OF ISRAEL,.... All praise and
glory, honour 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... [ Continue Reading ]
SINCE THE DAY THAT I BROUGHT FORTH MY PEOPLE ISRAEL OUT OF EGYPT,....
Which was now about four hundred and eighty eight years ago; see 1
Kings 6:1.
I CHOSE NO CITY OUT OF ALL THE TRIBES OF ISRAEL TO BUILD AN HOUSE,
THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE THEREIN; he had chosen one in his mind from all
eternity; but... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IT WAS IN THE HEART OF DAVID MY FATHER,.... His mind was disposed
to it, his heart was set upon it, he had taken up a resolution:
TO BUILD AN HOUSE FOR THE NAME OF THE LORD GOD OF ISRAEL; for his
worship and service, for his honour and glory, 2 Samuel 7:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE LORD SAID UNTO DAVID MY FATHER,.... By Nathan the prophet:
WHEREAS IT WAS IN THINE HEART TO BUILD AN 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... [ Continue Reading ]
NEVERTHELESS, THOU SHALL NOT BUILD THE HOUSE,.... Which is implied in
the question in 2 Samuel 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 Samuel 7:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE LORD HATH PERFORMED HIS WORD THAT HE SPAKE,.... 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 AN HOUSE FOR THE NAME OF THE LORD GOD OF... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I HAVE SET THERE A PLACE FOR THE ARK,.... 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.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SOLOMON STOOD BEFORE THE ALTAR OF THE LORD,.... The altar of the
burnt offering in the court of the priests, where he prayed the
following prayer; and which altar was typical of Christ, who is always
to be in sight in prayer, and through whom all sacrifices of prayer
and praise become acceptable... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SAID, LORD GOD OF ISRAEL,.... 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... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO HAST KEPT WITH THY SERVANT DAVID MY FATHER THAT THOU PROMISEDST
HIM..... 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.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE NOW, LORD GOD OF ISRAEL, KEEP WITH THY SERVANT DAVID MY
FATHER THAT THOU PROMISEDST HIM,.... 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 T... [ Continue Reading ]
AND NOW, O GOD OF ISRAEL, LET THY WORD, I PRAY THEE, BE VERIFIED,....
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.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WILL GOD INDEED DWELL ON THE EARTH?.... Is it true? Can any credit
be given to it? Who could ever have thought it, that so great and
glorious a Being, who inhabits eternity, dwells in the highest
heavens, should ever condescend to dwell on earth? Such was the
amazing condescension of Christ, the... [ Continue Reading ]
YET HAVE THOU RESPECT TO THE PRAYER OF THY SERVANT, AND TO HIS
SUPPLICATION, O LORD MY GOD,.... Meaning himself, who, though a king
acknowledged himself, and esteemed it an honour to be the servant of
the Lord, and who was also an humble suppliant of his, and desired his
prayers and supplications mi... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT THINE EYES MAY BE OPEN TOWARDS THIS HOUSE NIGHT AND DAY,.... That
is, to the people that pray in it, as they are to his righteous ones,
Psalms 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 goodnes... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HEARKEN THOU TO THE SUPPLICATION OF THY SERVANT, AND OF THY PEOPLE
ISRAEL, WHEN THEY SHALL PRAY TOWARDS THIS PLACE,.... Not only he
desires his prayers might be heard, but those of the people of Israel,
then, and at all times in succeeding ages, whenever they should look
towards the temple, and... [ Continue Reading ]
IF ANY MAN TRESPASS AGAINST HIS NEIGHBOUR,.... 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 nev... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN HEAR THOU IN HEAVEN,.... 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 imprecat... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THY PEOPLE ISRAEL SHALL BE SMITTEN DOWN BEFORE THE ENEMY,....
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 u... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN HEAR THOU IN HEAVEN, AND FORGIVE THE SIN OF THY PEOPLE
ISRAEL,.... 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.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN HEAVEN IS SHUT UP,.... 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... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN HEAR THOU IN HEAVEN, AND FORGIVE THE SIN OF THY SERVANTS, AND OF
THY PEOPLE ISRAEL,.... 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, goo... [ Continue Reading ]
Ver. 37 IF THERE BE IN THE LAND FAMINE,.... 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 numb... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION SOEVER,.... 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 an one might go to the temple and pray by himself; see
Luke 18:10 or by the public congregation:
WHICH SHALL KNOW EVERY MAN T... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN HEAR THOU IN HEAVEN THY DWELLINGPLACE,.... 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 pr... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT THEY MAY FEAR THEE,.... For his goodness sake in hearing their
prayer, removing their affliction, and bestowing his blessings on
them, particularly in forgiving their sins, see Psalms 130:4
ALL THE DAYS THAT THEY LIVE IN THE LAND WHICH THOU GAVEST UNTO OUR
FATHERS; not only for the present, wh... [ Continue Reading ]
MOREOVER, CONCERNING A STRANGER THAT IS NOT OF THY PEOPLE ISRAEL,....
One 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... [ Continue Reading ]
(FOR THEY SHALL HEAR OF THY GREAT NAME,.... 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); which had done
formerly such mighty works in... [ Continue Reading ]
HEAR THOU IN HEAVEN THY DWELLINGPLACE,.... 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 f... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THY PEOPLE GO OUT TO BATTLE AGAINST THEIR ENEMY,.... In a foreign
country, threatening to invade them, or having trespassed on their
borders, or some way or other infringed on their liberties and
privileges, and so given them just occasion to go to war with them:
WHITHERSOEVER THOU SHALT SEND TH... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN HEAR THOU IN HEAVEN THEIR PRAYER AND THEIR SUPPLICATION,.... For
success:
AND MAINTAIN THEIR CAUSE; do them justice, and avenge their injuries,
as the Targum; let it appear that their cause is right, by giving them
victory.... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THEY SIN AGAINST THEE,.... The same persons when they were gone
forth to battle, not observing the divine commands as they should:
FOR THERE IS NO MAN THAT SINNETH NOT; such are the depravity of human
nature, the treachery of the heart, and the temptations of Satan, of
which Solomon had early no... [ Continue Reading ]
YET IF THEY SHALL BETHINK THEMSELVES IN THE LAND WHITHER THEY WERE
CARRIED CAPTIVES,.... Or, "return to their heart" a; remember their
sins, the cause of their captivity, and reflect upon them:
AND REPENT OF THEM, AND MAKE SUPPLICATION UNTO THEE IN THE LAND OF
THEM THAT CARRIED THEM CAPTIVES; thoug... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SO RETURN UNTO THEE, WITH ALL THEIR HEART, AND WITH ALL THEIR
SOUL,.... In the most sincere and cordial manner, with great ingenuity
and uprightness; the Targum is,
"return unto thy worship;''
relinquishing false worship they had given into, and serve the Lord in
the best manner they could:
I... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN HEAR THOU THEIR PRAYERS, AND THEIR SUPPLICATION, IN HEAVEN THY
DWELLINGPLACE,.... For their deliverance out of captivity: and
maintain their cause; plead it, and do them justice, avenge their
injuries, and deliver them.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND FORGIVE THY PEOPLE THAT HAVE SINNED AGAINST THEE, AND ALL THEIR
TRANSGRESSIONS WHEREIN THEY HAVE TRANSGRESSED AGAINST THEE,.... By
returning them to their own land; by which it would appear that the
Lord had forgiven their trespasses, as well as by what follows:
AND GIVE THEM COMPASSION BEFORE... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THEY BE THY PEOPLE, AND THINE INHERITANCE,.... Whom the Lord had
chosen above all people, to be a special people to him, and to be his
portion and possession; see Deuteronomy 7:6
WHICH THOU BROUGHTEST FORTH OUT OF EGYPT, FROM THE MIDST OF THE
FURNACE OF IRON; hard and cruel bondage in Egypt: De... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT THINE EYES MAY BE OPEN TO THE SUPPLICATION OF THY SERVANT,....
That is, attentive to it, meaning himself and his present
supplication; or any other he should hereafter put up in this place:
AND UNTO THE SUPPLICATION OF THY PEOPLE ISRAEL, TO HEARKEN UNTO THEM
IN ALL THAT THEY CALL UNTO THEE: at... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THOU DIDST SEPARATE THEM FROM AMONG ALL PEOPLE OF THE EARTH TO BE
THINE INHERITANCE,.... By his choice of them in his own mind, by the
redemption of them out of Egypt, by the peculiar laws he gave them,
and by the special blessings he conferred upon them:
AS THOU SPAKEST BY THE HAND OF MOSES TH... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IT WAS SO, THAT, WHEN SOLOMON HAD MADE AN END OF PRAYING ALL THIS
PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION UNTO THE LORD,.... In which he was a type of
Christ, praying and interceding for his people before the golden
attar, Revelation 8:3,
HE AROSE FROM BEFORE THE ALTAR OF THE LORD; the altar of burnt
offering,... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE STOOD AND BLESSED ALL THE CONGREGATION OF ISRAEL WITH A LOUD
VOICE,.... Turning himself the altar, and his face to the people,
giving them his benediction, not only as the father of his people, but
as preacher in Jerusalem, closing it with a word of exhortation to
them:
SAYING: as follows.... [ Continue Reading ]
BLESSED BE THE LORD, THAT HATH GIVEN REST UNTO HIS PEOPLE ISRAEL,
ACCORDING, TO ALL THAT HE PROMISED.... A land of rest, and rest in the
land from all enemies; see Deuteronomy 12:9,
THERE HATH NOT FAILED ONE WORD OF ALL HIS GOOD PROMISES, WHICH HE
PROMISED BY THE HAND OF MOSES HIS SERVANT: so Joshu... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD OUR GOD BE WITH US AS HE WAS WITH OUR FATHERS,.... Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob, and those that came out of Egypt, and especially
that entered into the land of Canaan under Joshua, and subdued it; as
the Lord had been with them to guide and direct them, protect and
defend them, succeed and pro... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT HE MAY INCLINE OUR HEARTS UNTO HIM,.... By his Spirit, to love,
fear, and serve him; to attend to his worship, word, and ordinances:
TO WALK IN ALL HIS WAYS; he has prescribed and directed to:
AND TO KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS, AND HIS STATUTES, AND HIS JUDGMENTS,
WHICH HE COMMANDED OUR FATHERS; a... [ Continue Reading ]
AND LET THESE MY WORDS, WHEREWITH I HAVE MADE SUPPLICATION BEFORE THE
LORD,.... At this time:
BE NIGH UNTO THE LORD OUR GOD DAY AND NIGHT; be continually remembered
and regarded by him, that so gracious answers might always be returned
to those who supplicated in this place:
THAT HE MAINTAIN THE C... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT ALL THE PEOPLE OF THE EARTH MAY KNOW THAT THE LORD IS GOD,.... By
chastising the people of Israel when they sinned; by bearing and
answering their prayers when they prayed unto him; by forgiving their
sins, and delivering them out of their troubles; by maintaining their
cause, and protecting th... [ Continue Reading ]
LET YOUR HEART THEREFORE BE PERFECT WITH THE LORD YOUR GOD,....
Sincere in their love to him, united in their worship of him, and
constant in their obedience to him:
TO WALK IN HIS STATUTES, AND TO KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS, AS AT THIS DAY:
as they did that day, neither king nor people having as yet fa... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE KING AND ALL ISRAEL WITH HIM OFFERED SACRIFICE BEFORE THE
LORD. For burnt offerings, which having been laid upon the altar, as
soon as the king had done praying to God, and blessing the people, and
exhorting them, fire came down from heaven, and consumed them; which
showed the Lord's accepta... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SOLOMON OFFERED A SACRIFICE OF PEACE OFFERINGS, WHICH HE OFFERED
UNTO THE LORD,.... Part of which belonged to the offerer, and with
those Solomon feasted the people all the days of the feast of the
dedication, if not of tabernacles also; for the number was exceeding
large, as follows:
22,000 OX... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SAME DAY DID THE KING HALLOW THE MIDDLE OF THE COURT THAT WAS
BEFORE THE HOUSE OF THE LORD,.... The court of the priests that was
before the holy place, adjoining to it, in which was the altar of
burnt offering; this, or, however, the middle part of it, he
sanctified for present use, to offer sa... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AT THAT TIME SOLOMON HELD A FEAST, AND ALL ISRAEL WITH HIM,....
Partaking of the parts of the peace offerings which belonged to him,
and were offered by way of thanksgiving on the occasion, together with
whatsoever he might as a liberal prince provide for this
entertainment:
FOR IT WAS FOR A GR... [ Continue Reading ]
ON THE EIGHTH DAY HE SENT THE PEOPLE AWAY,.... That is, of the feast
of tabernacles, the eighth from the first of that, which was a solemn
day, and fell on the twenty second of the month; at the close of which
the dismission was made, or they had leave to go, but they did not
until the twenty third,... [ Continue Reading ]