1 Kings 8

1 Kings 8:1

F. Dedication of the Temple (Chap. 8)8:1-5 With the temple completed, the next step was to bring . . . the ark of the covenant from the section of Jerusalem known as the City of David, or Zion, to the temple on Mount Moriah. This probably took place almost a year after the building was completed (cf. v. 2 with 1Ki_6:37-38). Just before the Feast of Tabernacles, a great national holiday took place, and the ark, the tabernacle, and the holy furnishings were brought to the temple by the priests and the Levites. This was accompanied by the sacrifice of a great number of sheep and oxen. 8:6-9 The ark was put in the Most Holy Place. In some way that we do not understand, the ends of the poles were visible from the holy place, but they could not be seen from outside, on the porch. The poles were not removed, as stated in the KJV (v. 8). At this time the only items in the ark were the two tablets of stone, containing the Ten Commandments. We are not told what happened to the pot of manna or to Aaron’s rod that budded (Heb_9:4). 8:10, 11 As soon as the ark (typical of Christ) was given its proper place, the glory cloud, signifying the divine Presence, filled the temple. The priests were not able to carry on their duties because the glory of the LORD filled the house. 8:12, 13 When all was finished, Solomon addressed the LORD. God had said that He would dwell in thick darkness. Now Solomon had built Him an exalted house with a Most Holy Place that had no illumination except the glory of God Himself. With his usual spiritual insight, Matthew Henry comments: He showed himself ready to hear the prayer Solomon was now about to make; and not only so, but took up his residence in this house, that all his praying people might there be encouraged to make their applications to him. But the glory of God appeared in a cloud, a dark cloud, to signify, (1.) The darkness of that dispensation in comparison with the light of the gospel, by which, with open face, we behold, as in a glass, the glory of the Lord. (2.) The darkness of our present state in comparison with the vision of God, which will be the happiness of heaven, where the divine glory is unveiled. Now we only say what he is not, but then we shall see him as he is. 8:14-21 Next the king turned to the people in blessing. He traced the fulfillment of God’s promise to David concerning the temple and expressed his satisfaction that the ark of the covenant now had a settled abode. 8:22-26 The prayer of dedication is recorded in verses 22-53. After extolling God for keeping His covenant with David concerning the temple, he asked Him to fulfill another covenant that He had made with Davidthe promise that there would never fail to be a descendant of David to sit . . . on the throne. 8:27-30 Although Solomon realized that no temple on earth was adequate to contain the great God, yet he asked that the LORD might recognize this temple and that when he or any of the people of Israel addressed God there, He might hear and forgive. 8:31-53 Then the king listed various specific cases in which the Lord’s answer was especially desired.

1. In lawsuits where oaths were taken, presumably because no definite evidence was available, God was asked to punish the guilty and reward the innocent (vv. 31, 32).
2. When defeat came to Israel’s army because of sin, God was asked to forgive and restore them to their land when they confessed their sin (vv. 33, 34).
3. In times of drought, God was asked to send rain . . . when the people humbled themselves before Him in repentance (vv. 35, 36).
4. If famine or pestilence, or blight or mildew, or insect plagues, or enemy siege, or any other calamity should befall them, God was requested to honor any prayers that were made to Him toward the temple and to forgive . . . the land (vv. 37-40).
5. If a Gentile converted to Judaism and prayed to God, then He was asked to answer the prayer of such a proselyte (vv. 41-43).
6. Prayers for victory in battle were anticipated by Solomon, and he asked the Lord to be mindful of all such supplications (vv. 44, 45).
7. Speaking prophetically, Solomon next envisioned the time when Israel might be carried into captivity because of sin. He asked the Lord to listen to their prayer of repentance and cause their captors to be merciful to them; after all, the Israelites were His people, whom He had delivered out of Egypt. These verses found fulfillment in the Babylonian captivity and in the subsequent return under the decree of Cyrus (vv. 46-53). 8:54-61 After praying to God, Solomon . . . blessed the people by pouring out an eloquent request for God’s presence, and for power to be loyal to Him and to be a witness for Him among the nations of the earth. Solomon’s benediction, like the rest of his prayer, shows an immense appreciation of great spiritual truths: 1. God is utterly reliable. “Not one word has failed” (56)what a testimony! 2. The past guarantees the future (57). Since God is unchanging (cf. Heb_13:8), we can build upon the fact that what He has shown Himself to be in times past He will be to us (cf. Jos_1:5). 3.

Man needs God’s help in the life of discipleship (58), a truth which Jeremiah knew and for which he gave the reason (see Jer_10:23; Jer_17:9). Even the impulse of man’s free will comes from Goda paradox indeed! Compare the activity of the Holy Spirit in Joh_16:8-11. 4. We stand in daily need of the assistance of God (“as each day requires,” 59). But then, He neither slumbers nor sleeps (Psa_121:4)! 5. God’s care for His children is never for their selfish enjoyment, but that others might come to know Him (60). 6.

In view of all this, can we give less than our absolute loyalty and obedience to Him (61)? (Daily Notes of the Scripture Union). This prayer is also recorded in 2 Chronicles 6 (see notes), with the only differences being: In 2 Chronicles Solomon ended his prayer with three requests (2Ch_6:40-42), omitted in 1 Kings; in 1 Kings Solomon blessed the people (vv. 54-61). This is omitted in 2 Chronicles. 8:62-65 Of the great number of animals that were sacrificed, some were used as food for the huge throng that had assembled (v. 65). Since the bronze altar was not large enough to receive all the burnt offerings, etc., Solomon consecrated a place in the middle of the court where the rest could be offered to the Lord. This great celebration was characterized by joy and worship and thanksgiving. Of the thousands of animals slain, not one was offered as a sin or trespass offering. At this same time, Solomon held the Feast of Tabernacles with Israelites who had come from as far as the entrance of Hamath, near Dan, in the north and from the Brook of Egypt in the south. The Feast of Dedication and the Feast of Tabernacles together lasted for fourteen days. 8:66 Then the people returned to their homes joyful and glad of heart. 2Ch_7:9 says that a solemn assembly was held on the “eighth day,” while verse 66 says that the people were sent away on the “eighth day.” John Haley harmonizes these two accounts as follows: The feast of tabernacles began on the fifteenth and ended on the twenty-second of the month, closing with a “holy convocation” on the “eighth day” (Lev_23:33-39), at the end of which Solomon dismissed the people; the dismissal taking effect the next morning, the twenty-third (2Ch_7:10).