In the land of their cities - literally, “in the land of their gates.” Hence, the marginal translation “jurisdiction,” because judgments were pronounced in the town gates Deuteronomy 16:18. Another reading gives “in one of their cities.” read more
Know every man the plague of his own heart - i. e. perceive one’s sinfulness, or recognize one’s sufferings as divine chastisements, and sin as their cause. read more
1 Kings 8:37. If there be in the land famine Which arose sometimes from other causes besides want of rain. If their enemy besiege them in the land of their cities In their gates, whereby they should be so straitened, that none could go in or out. Whatsoever plague The word נגע , negang, here rendered plague, properly signifies some extraordinary stroke by the hand of God. Whatsoever sickness there be For Solomon believed whatever calamity befel other people, might light on... read more
1 Kings 8:38. What prayer and supplication soever be made by any man Distressed through national calamities, or private and personal troubles. He now comes to speak of the case of individual Israelites. If any man of Israel has an errand to thee, here let him find thee, here let him find favour with thee. He does not instance in particulars; so numerous, so various are the grievances of the children of men. Which shall know every man the plague of his own heart His sinfulness, the... read more
1 Kings 8:39-40. Give to every man according to his ways According to his repentance or impenitency. As if he had said, I pray with the greater hope and confidence, because I do not desire that thou wouldst deliver such as are insensible of their sins and of thy judgments, but only those that are truly brought to know the plague of their own hearts in the manner before explained. Whose heart thou knowest Thou art acquainted not only with the plague of their hearts, their several wants... read more
The dedication ceremony (8:22-9:9)Solomon then went up on to a specially made bronze platform, knelt down and prayed to God in the presence of the assembled people (2 Chronicles 6:12-13). He admitted that only God’s grace had allowed his father and himself to fulfil their wish of building God a symbolic dwelling place. He prayed that God’s grace would rest likewise upon his royal descendants after him (22-26). Solomon knew there was no necessity for the temple, because God dwells everywhere.... read more
pestilence = death. Compare Leviticus 26:26 . blasting = blight. cities. Hebrew gates. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct) for cities. read more
man. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 . know = perceive in his own heart. Latin. conscio, every man . Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 . plague = punishment. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the sin which produces it. read more
his = all his, as in 2 Chronicles 6:30 . for Thou, &c. Figure of speech Epitrechon. App-6 . read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 8:39
Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;) [ Jeremiah 17:10 . Cf. ὁ παρδιογνώστης θεὸς ( Acts 15:8 ; also ib . Acts 1:24 ). read more