1 Kings 8

Salomon assembleth the chieftest of the Israelites, to dedicate the Temple, vers.1,&c. The Ark of the Covenant with the holy instruments are brought into it, 4. The LORD giveth a token of his presence, 10. Salomon Blesseth the Congregation, and giveth God thanks, 14, and 54. He maketh an excellent prayer unto God, 22. He offereth with the congregation, 62. They keep the Feast of leaf-huts, 65.

1. Then Salomon assembled the Eldest of Israel, [See Lev.4. on ver.15.] and all the heads of the tribes, Father among the children of Israel, [each tribe of the Israelites consisted of certain Households or Families, which had each in particular their cheif Fathers. Besides these, there were in every tribe Captains of hundreds, of thousands, &c whose chiefest and most principal are here to be understood. Compare Exod.18.21. Numb.3.24,30,35. 1 Chron.4 38.] unto King Salomon [i.e. unto him, according to the Hebrew phrase. See above chap.2.on ver.19.] at Jerusalem, to bring up [viz. Into the Temple, into which, because it was built upon mount Morija, they were to ascend by steps or stairs] the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD out of the City of David, [viz. Which David had taken, built, and inhabited. See above chap.2.on v.10.] which is Zion. [see 2 Sam.5.9. & 6 12,17.]

2. And all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto King Salomon at the Feast, [Meaning the Feast of dedication, going before the Feast of Leaf-huts. See below ver.65. and of the Feast of Leaf-huts, Levit.23.34. Deut.16 13 2 Chron.5.3.] in the month Ethanaim: [This months agreeth mostly with our September. It is called Ethanaim, i.e. of strong, or of strengths; because (as some conceive) in it the fruits of the Land were gathered in, which are as the strength of the earth, ordained by God to preserve and strengthen the life of man] the same is the seventh month: [viz. according to the account of Ecclesiastical months ordained by God, Exod.12.2. otherwise, before the departure of the Israelites out of Egypt, this month was the first, viz. of the civil year.]

3. And all the Eldest of Israel came; and the Priests took up the Ark. [Which was at this time at Jerusalem 2 Chron.1.4.]

4. And they brought up the Ark of the LORD, and the Tent of the Congregation, [which with the Copper Altar made by Bazaleel in the Wilderness, was at this time at Gibeon, 2 Chron.1.3,5.] together with all the holy vessels, [Heb. vessels of holiness; that is, which are ordained for an holy use. See Levit.16.on verse 4.] that were in the Tent, and the Priests, and the Levites brought the same up, [viz. With this difference, that the Priests carried the Ark, and the holy vessels, but the Levites the Tent of the Congregation, with its appurtences. Compare Numb.4. the annotate. on verse 15.]

5. Now King Salomon, and all the Congregation of Israel that were assembled with him, were with him before the Ark, [viz. With King Salomon. Otherw.(went) with him before the Ark.] offering sheep and oxen, [understand, that the offerings here mentioned, were here and there offered by the way, which the Ark was carried. Compare 2 Sam 6.13.] which could not be numbered nor for multitude.

6. So the Priests brought the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD unto its place, unto the Oracles place of the house, [i.e. Of the Temple] to the Holy of Holies, even under the wings of The Cherubims. [which Salomon had caused to be made, and were much bigger then those which Moseh had caused to be made in the Wilderness. See above chap.6.v.27. Exod.25.20.]

7. For the Cherubims spread (forth) both wings over the place of the Ark; and the Cherubims covered the Ark, and the hand-beams thereof [By which the Ark was carried] above.

8. Then they shoved the hand-beams further out, [Heb. Lengthened them; viz. by drawing them longer and further out: for to take them quite out, was forbidden by God, Exod.25.15. See Numb.4.on v.6.] that the heads [i.e. the ends] of the hand-beams were seen forth of the holy place [i.e. by those that were in that part of the temple which was more outward, called the holy place. 2 Chron.5.8. it is said, that they were seen out of the Ark: which is not so to understood, as if the Ark had been seen: but the meaning is, that the outmost ends of the hand-beams, which came forth out of the Ark, shewed themselves in the holy place, viz. not bare, but covered with the veil] before the Oracle place, but were not seen without: [viz. the holy place] and are there unto this day. [viz. when this book was written.]

9. There was nothing in the Ark, but onely the two tables of stone, [The Apostles words, whereby he seemeth to say, Heb.9.4. that there were also in Ark the golden pot with manna, and Aarons rod that budded, must thus be understood, that they were in the same place of the Tabernacle, where the Ark stood, yea were by it, Exod.16.34. Numb.17.10. as the word in is often taken for by; as Jos.5.13. & 10.10, &c. yea even here in this verse in horeb, for, by horeb] which Moseh put in it [see Deut.10.5.] by Horeb, when the LORD made (a covenant) [the like phrase, wherein this word is concealed, yet to be understood, we find, 1 Sam.20.16.& 22.8. 2 Chron.5.10.] with the children of Israel, [see Exod.34.27.] when they were come forth out of the land of Egypt.

10. And it came to pass, when the Priests came forth out of the holy place, [i.e. The fore-part of the Temple, Exod.20.33. & 28.43.] that a cloud filled the house of the LORD:

11. And the Priests cloud not stand to minister, because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD [i.e. The Cloud, wherein God appeared to the Israelites. Compare Exod.16.10. & 24.16. & 40.34.35. Numb.16.19. 2 Chron.15.13,14.&7.1,2,3.] had filled the house of the LORD.

12. Then said Salomon, The Lord said, that he would dwell in darkness. [i.e. He declared, that he would manifest his presence by such a visible token as the Cloud, or the darkness was. See Levit.16.2. which he also oftentimes did. See the annotate. on the former verse; also Exod.13.22. & 14 19 & 19.16. & 20.21. Numb.9.15. Deut.4.11. & 5.22.]

13. I have surely built [Heb. Building built; that is, I have surely, or certainly, or wholly built, or I have fully built] an house, for a dwelling place for thee; [viz. wherein thou wilt dwell with thy people by thy Word, and by the visible tokens of thy grace: so 2 Chron.6.2.] a settled [ort, prepared] place, for thine everlasting dwelling. [understand this everlastingness of the time of the Law; and see Gen.13.on verse 15. Here is to be added the condition of obedience, which the Israelites did owe unto God, that this Word might continue firm and stedfast. See above chap.6.12,13. and below chap 9.4. Psal 89.29,30,31.]

14. Then the King turned his face about, and blessed all the Congregation of Israel; [i.e. Wished them from the LORD all happiness both in soul and body. So below verse 55. Compare Numb.6.23. Psal.118 26. Others understand this thus; that the King with all the Congregation blessed God, that is, thanked and praised him: to this end taking in the Word God into the text] and all the Congregation of Israel stood.

15. And he said, Praised be the LORD the God of Israel, who spake with his mouth, [i.e. By the Prophet Nathan, 2 Sam.7.6. 1 Chron.17.4. The prophets are as it were the mouth of God, because his Word is in their mouth, Exod.4.12. 1 King.17.24. Isa.51.16. Jer.5.14.] unto David my father, and hath fulfilled it with his hand, saying:

16. From the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of the Land of Egypt, I chose [i.e. I did not manifest nor put in practice my choice. So the word chasing is taken for the execution of the choice, Deut.12.1. 2 Chron.6.5. Zach.2.12. for unto God all his works are known from eternity, Act.15.18.] no city, out of all the cities of Israel, to build an house, that my name might be there: [i.e. that my doctrine might be heard and published, the worship instituted by me might be administered, the people, that is called by my Name, might meet together, and my spirit might likewise powerfully work there. Compare Deut.13 11. below ver.29.& 14.21. 2 Kings 21:4. 2 Chron.6.6. Psal.132.13,14.] but I chose David to be over my people Israel.

17. It was also in the heart of David my father, [i.e. He purposed. See the like phrase, 1 Sam.10.7. & 14.7. 2 Sam.7.3. 1 King.10.2. 1 Chron.27.2. & 22.7. also compare above chap.5. the annotate. on ver.5.] to build an house for the Name of the LORD the God of Israel. [See 2 Sam.7.2. 1 Chron.17 1. 2 Chron.6.7.]

18. But the LORD said unto David my father, seeing it was in thine heart to build an house unto my Name; thou didst well, that it was in thine heart.

19. Nevertheless, thou shalt not build that house; but thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build that house unto my Name.

20. So the LORD hath stablished his word, which he had spoken: for I am risen in the place of David my Father, and I sit upon the throne of Israel, according as the LORD hath spoken; and I have built an house for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel.

21. And I have appointed there a place for the Ark wherein is the Covenant [i.e. The Tables of the Covenant, or of the Testimony; understand the Laws of the Covenant, according to which the Covenant was made, which were written in two Tables of stone. Compare Deut.31.on verse 26.] of the LORD, which he made with our Fathers, when he brought them out of the Land of Egypt.

22. And Salomon stood [viz. Upon the Copper and exalted Scaffold, which was in the peoples Court, over against the altar of burnt-offering, which he could behold from his seat. See hereof, 2 Chron.6.13. also. 2 King.11.14. and 23.3.] before the altar of the LORD, over against all the Congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven: [In token that he lifted up his heart unto God, upon whom he called, and from whom alone he expected all good things. Of which Ceremony used by the Ancients in prayers, see likewise, Ezra 9:5. & Job 11:13. Psal.44.2. & 63.5. 1 Tim.2.8.]

23. And he said; LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, nor on earth beneath; keeping Covenants, and bounty with thy servants, that walk before thy face [See Genesis 17.on verse 10.] with all their heart. [see above chap.2.on verse 4.]

24. Who hast kept with thy servant David my Father, that which thou hadst spoken unto him, for with thy mouth thou hast spoken, and with thine hand fulfilled, [i.e. begun to fulfil] as it is this day.

25. And now LORD God of Israel; keep unto thy servant David my father, that thou hast spoken to him, saying: No man shall be cut off unto thee before my face, [Otherwise, no man shall be lacking unto thee before my face] to sit upon the throne of Israel: [the meaning is, that there should be ever some in Davids family, to succeed him in the Kingdom: which promised was fully accomplished in Christ, whose Kingdom is without end Luke 1:53.] onely if thy sons keep their way [see above chap.2.v.4.] to walk before my face [see Gen.17.on ver.1.] according as thou hast walked before my face.

26. Now then, O God of Israel, let thy word (I pray) he verified, which thou hast spoken unto thy servant David my father.

27. But will God indeed dwell on the earth? [He denieth not that God is on the earth, but he implies that he is not there circumscribed or shut up, in regard of his effence, or being; although he manifested himself in the Temple, a visible token of his presence, in respect of his grace] Behold, the heavens, yea the heavens of the heavens [so Psal.148.4. understand the highest or uppermost heaven, which is the most spatious, or, the most capacious heaven, called by Paul the third heaven, 3 Cor.12.2. And see this phrase, Lev. chap.2.vers.3. and in the annotate.] cannot contain thee, how much less this house, that I have builded? [‘Tis as if he had said; although this house be not fit contain thee, who fillest heaven and earth, yet not withstanding let it please thee to dwell therein, and to hear prayers therein. See 2 Chron.2.6. Isa.66.1. Jer.23.24. Act.7.49.]

28. Yet not withstanding turn thee unto the prayer of thy servant, [i.e. Unto my prayer] and unto his supplication, O LORD my God; to hearken to the cry, and to the prayer which thy servant this day prayeth before thy face.

29. Let thine eyes be open [Spoken of God after the manner of men; whose eyes are said to be open toward his, when he hath compassion on them, heareth them, and doth them good. Compare below ver.52. & Psal.33.18. & 34.16. Zach.12.4.] toward this house, toward this place, of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: [see above on ver.16. Deut.12.11.] to hearken to the prayer, which thy servant shall pray in this place. [Otherwise, toward this place; viz. turning himself toward this house, and looking on the promises of thy presence; see Dan.6.10.]

30. Hearken then to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, which shall pray [Otherw. which they, etc.] in this place; and thou, hear in the place of thy dwelling, in heaven, yea hear, and forgive.

31. When any man shall have sinned against his neighbour, and he [viz. The Neighbour against whom the sin is committed] shall have laid upon him an oath of the curse, [Heb. curse, or, execration, imprecation. Understand an oath imposed by the Judge, or was made in weighty and doubtful matters, with cursing of a mans self, if he did swear falsely, and that most solemnly before the altar, to stir up the swearer to more attention, and fear. Compare Exod.22.8. Numb.5.15,16,17,18, etc.] to curse himself; and the oath of the curse shall come before thing altar in this house;

32. The hear thou in heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, condemning [See of this word, Deu.25.on verse 1.] the unrighteous, giving his way upon his head, [by punishing his sins with deserved judgements. See the like phrase, 2 Chron.6.23. Ezek.9.10. and compare below ver.39.] and justifying the righteous, [i.e. clearing him, counting him free and innocent, and pronouncing him just or righteous: see of this word Gen.44.on vers.16. & Deut.25.on v.1.] giving him according to his righteousness.

33. When thy people Israel shall be smitten before the face of the enemy, because they have sinned against thee; and shall turn again unto thee and confess thy Name, [i.e. Ascribe unto themselves the guilt of the punishment, and unto thee the glory of justice: so below verse 35. See Jos. 7.on v.19.] and pray unto thee in this house, and make supplication.

34. Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them again into the land, which thou gavest unto their fathers.

35. When heaven shall be shut up, [See Deut.11.on v.17. which otherwise is called, making the heaven as iron, or as copper, Lev.26.19. Deut.28.23.] that there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee, and they shall pray in this place, and confess thy Name, and turn again unto thee, when thou shalt have plagued them: [Otherwise, because thou shalt have testified against them; viz. by thy Prophets, or, by the judgement of drought: so 2 Chron.6.26.]

36. Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when thou shalt have taught them the good way, [Called so likewise, 1 Sam.12.23. Otherwise, the way of the Lord, Psal.27.11. of truth, Psal.119.30. of understanding, Proverbs 9:6. Of holiness, Isa.35.8. Of righteousness, 2 Pet.2.21. Of life, Proverbs 6:23, etc.] wherein they should walk; and give rain upon thy Land, which thou hast given thy people for an inheritance.

37. When there shall be famine in the Land, when there shall be pestilence, when there shall be blasting, mill-dew, Locusts, Caterpillars, when his Enemy shall besiege him in the Land of his Gates, [i.e. In his own Land and Cities. The word gates, is here taken for Cities. See Genesis 2. on verse 17. Now the Land of his Cities, signifieth the cities of his Land. So 2 Chron.6.28.] (or there) shall be any plague, (or) [this particle is expressed in the original text, 2 Chron.6.28.] any sickness.

38. What prayer soever, what supplication so ever that shall be made by any man, by all thy people Israel: [i.e. by every one in particular, or by the Congregation of the people in general] when they shall acknowledge every man the plague of his (own) heart, [i.e. which goeth to their very heart, and doth inwardly so afflicted them, that they are forced unto prayer, by confidence in God, with true repentance of heart] and (every man) shall spread forth his hands in this house; [or, towards this house. See below on v.44.]

39. Then hear thou in heaven, the sure place of thy dwelling, and forgive, and do, and give to every man, according to all his ways, [See Genes.6.on ver.12.] as thou knowest his heart; for thou onely knowest the hearts of all the children of men. [i.e. Of all men. So Numb.23.19. Job 16:21. Psal.8.5. Eccles.3.21.]

40. That they may fear thee [i.e. Walk in thy ways; as is explained, 2 Chron.6.31. for the fear of the Lord exciteth a man to cease from evil, and to do good, Prov.1.7. and 8.13. and 10.6.] all the days, that they shall live in the land, which thou gavest unto our fathers.

41. Yea also concerning the stranger, [Understand those that should be converted from their Idolatry to the true God] that shall not be of thy people Israel; but shall come out of (a) far land for thy Names sake: [i.e. for the glory and praise which thou hast, as well in regard of the Creation, Suftentation, and Government of all things in general, as in regard of the providing, keeping, and delivering of thy Church in particular. See the following verse, and 2 Chron.6.32.]

42. (For they shall hear of thy great Name, and of thy strong hand, [i.e. Power, might; so Deut.3.24. Psalms 136:12. See Numb.11. on ver.23.] and of thy stretched out arm) [so Psal.136.12. Jer.32.17.] when he shall come, and pray in his house.

43. Hear thou in heaven the sure place of thy dwelling, and do according to all that stranger shall call unto thee for: that all the Nations of the earth may know thy Name, to fear thee, as (do) thy people Israel, and to know that thy Name is called upon this house, [which hath its name of thee. Compare above the annotat.on v.16.] which I have built.

44. When thy people shall go forth to war against their enemy, [i.e. In a just and lawful war, which shall be commanded by thee] by the way which thou shalt send them; and shall pray unto the LORD toward the way of this City, which thou hast chosen; and toward this house, which I have built for thy Name: [i.e. turning themselves in prayer toward this place, in token that they acknowledged that God to be the onely true God, and called upon him, who was worshipped in the Temple at Jerusalem according to his Word. So below verse 48. And see hereof an example in Daniel, Chap.6. verse 10.]

45. Then hear in heaven their prayer, and their supplication; and execute their right. [Or, Maintain their right. Heb. do their judgement, or, right. Now God doth executed his peoples judgement or right, when as a Judge he maintaineth and defendeth their cause, and deservedly punishment their enemies. So below v.40. Item, 2 Chron.6.35,39. Psal.9.5. & 140.13.]

46. When they shall have sinned against thee, (for there is no man that sinneth not) [See 2 Chron.6.36. Prov.20.9. Eccles.7.20. 1 Joh.1.8,10.] and thou shalt be incensed against them, and shalt deliver them before the face of the enemy, that they that have taken them; carry them away captive into the enemies Land, which is far, or near.

47. And they shall bring again to their heart, in the Land, whither they were carried away captive, that they repent, and make supplication unto thee in the land of them, that carried them away captive, saying, We have sinned, and have done perversely, we have dealt wickedly:

48. And they return unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul [See 1 Kings 2.on v.4. i.e. out of a true sense and feeling of their sins, and sorrow for them, have an unfeigned purpose, with stedfast faith and confidence in thy mercy, to cease from evil, and to do good: so 2 Chron.6.37.] in the land of their enemies, that carried them away captive: and shall pray unto thee toward the way of their land, (which thou gavest unto their Fathers) toward this City which thou hast chosen, and toward this house [see above on v.44.] which I have built for thy Name;

49. Then hear in heaven, the sure place of thy dwelling, their prayer, and their supplication, and execute their right; [Hebr. Do their judgement; as verse 45.]

50. And forgive thy people, that they have sinned against thee, and all their transgressions, wherewith they shall have transgressed against thee: and give them mercy before the face of those that detain them captive, that they may have compassion on them, [Heb. Put them, or, give them to mercies, etc. i.e. to have compassion shewed them, or, to obtain compassion. See almost the like phrase, Genes.43.14. The meaning is, that God would give the captive Israelites, to find grace and compassion in the eyes of their enemies, in stead of cruel misusages, and oppression. See some fulfilling hereof, Nehem.2.2, &c. Esth.10.2,3. Dan.1.9,10, &c.]

51. For they are thy people, and thine inheritance, which thou broughtest forth out of Egypt, from the midst of the iron furnace: [The Hebrew word signifieth properly a place, or a vessel, in which all kind of metal by the fire: whereunto Egypt is compared, because they endured there many oppressions, and grievous trials: see Deuteronomy 4. on verse 20. and compare Isa.48.10.]

52. That thine eyes may be open, unto the supplication of thy servants, and unto the supplication of thy people Israel: [See above on ver.29.] to hearken unto them, in all their calling unto thee.

53. For thou didst separate them from all the Nations of the earth, (to be) an inheritance unto thee; according as thou spakest by the Ministry [Heb. Hand] of Moseh thy servant, when thou broughtest forth our Fathers out of Egypt, Lord. [see Exod.19.5. Duet.4.20. & 7.6. & 9.26,29. & 14 2.]

54. Now it came to pass, when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer, and this supplication unto the LORD, (that) he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees, [The Saints used that Ceremony of bowing the knee in prayer, in token of humility of heart, wherewith we are to appear before God: see 2 Chron.6.13. Daniel 6:10. Luke 22:41.] with his hands spread forth toward heaven: [see v.22.]

55. Then he stood, and blessed all the Congregation of Israel, [See above on v.14.] saying with a loud [Heb. great] voice.

56. Praised be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people of Israel, according to all that spake: there is not one word fallen (to the ground), of all his good words, [Heb. of all his good word] which he spake by theMinistert [Heb. hand. See Exod.4.on v.13.] of Moseh his servant. [The meaning is, he hath fulfilled all his promises, and broken not one of them: so likewise Jos.21.45. & 23.14. 2 King.10.10.]

57. The LORD our God be with us, [See Gen.21.on vers.22. & 26. on ver.24.] according as he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor forsake us:

58. Inclining our heart unto him; to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandements, and his statutes, and his judgements, [See the difference of these three words above, chap..on vers.3.] which he commanded our fathers.

59. And that these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before the LORD, may be nigh before the LORD our God, day and night: that he may execute the right of his servant, [He understandeth hereby himself, as above ver.28,29,30,32.] and the right of thy people Israel, every man daily on his day. [Heb. the word, or, the thing of the day on his day: i.e. every day, according as daily any need shall happen. The like phrase is found, Exod.5.13. Lev.23.37.]

60. That all the Nations of the earth may know, that the LORD is that God; (and that there is) none else. [see Deut.4.35,39.]

61. And let your heart be perfect [Understand the perfection of this life, consisting in all the parts of godliness, and not in the full increase thereof, which is the perfection of the life to come: so below chap.11.4. and 15.3,4. 2 Kings 20:3. 1 Chron.28.9. & 29.9, 19. 2 Chron.15.17. & 19.9. Compare Philip 3.12,15.] with the LORD our God: to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandements, as at this day. [Understand henceforth for ever, as ye do this day.]

62. And the King and all Israel with him offered slay offerings before the face of the LORD. [Before the Temple; see Lev. on v.3.]

63. And Salomon offered a thank-offering, which he offered unto the LORD, two and twenty thousand Oxen, and an hundred and thousand sheep. [See 2 Chron.7.5, &c.] Thus they dedicated the house of the LORD, the King, and all the children of Israel.

64. The same day did the King hallow [See Lev.8.on v.10.] the middlemost (part) of the Court, [understand this of the Priests Court, whose middlemost part he, being led by the spirit of God, used in that extra-ordained work, to offer sacrifices there, and for that end to rear altars, because the altar of burnt-offering was not able to bear all the offerings, by reason of their multitude] which was before the house of the LORD, [i.e. close before the forepart of the Temple, called the holy place,] because he had prepared there the burnt-offering, and the meat-offering, together with the fat of the thank-offerings: for the copper altar, which was before the face of the LORD, [see ab on v.62.] was too little to contain the burnt-offerings, and the meat-offerings, and the fat of the thank-offerings. [see 2 Chron.7.7.]

65. At that time also Solomon held the feast, [Understand the Feast of Leaf-huts which was to be kept seven days. See hereof, Lev.23.34.] and all Israel with him, a great Congregation, from the entering in of Hamath [see hereof Numb.13.22. This was the uttermost border of Canaan toward the North] to the river of Egypt [called Sichor, Jos.13.3. and was the uttermost border toward the south: see Gen.15.on v.18.] before the face of the LORD our God seven days, and seven days: [understand seven days toward the dedication of the altar and temple, and seven days more toward the keeping of the Feast of Leaf-huts, 2 Chron.7.9.] being fourteen days.

66. On the eighth day he let people go, [Understand that he gave the people leave to go home on the eighth day, which was the 22. of the seventh month; but in regard that day was likewise to be kept holy, therefore they departed the day following, which was the 24. See 2 Chron.7.10. and the annotate.] and they blessed the King: after that they went to their tents, joyful, and full of courage, [Heb. good of heart] for all the good that the LORD had done for David his servant, [i.e. for the house of David, and his posterity in the Kingdom] and Israel his people.