1 Kings 8:54-61

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 8:61

A Royal Benediction. The prayer of Solomon is followed by a benediction. "He stood and blessed all the congregation," etc. ( 1 Kings 8:54 , 1 Kings 8:55 ). But though he assumed for the time the priestly function, his utterance was not cast into the usual form of priestly benediction. It was rather an ascription of praise to the God who had fulfilled His promises and given rest to His people, and an exhortation to them that they on their part should follow that path of life in which... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 8:54

If the prayer of Solomon be, as it has all the appearance of being, a genuine document of the time, preserved in the archives to which the authors of both Kings and Chronicles had access, all theories of the late origin of Deuteronomy must be regarded as baseless. While references are not infrequent to other portions of the Pentateuch, the language of the prayer is mainly modelled upon Deuteronomy, the promises and threats contained in which are continually before the mind of the writer. (See... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 8:58

Incline our hearts - This is a doctrine which first appears in Scripture in the Davidical Psalms (see the margin reference and Psalms 141:4). Solomon in this prayer seems to be thoroughly penetrated with his father’s spirit. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 8:61

As at this day - i. e. “as ye are now doing, in coming with pious intentions to this festival.” read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 8:55-56

1 Kings 8:55-56. He stood and blessed all the congregation, &c. He spoke what follows standing, that he might be the better heard, and because he blessed as one having authority. Never were words more pertinently spoken; never was a congregation dismissed with that which was more likely to affect them, and to abide with them. Blessed be the Lord that hath given rest, &c., according to all that he promised Thus he, as it were, writes a receipt in full on the back of the bonds of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 8:58

1 Kings 8:58. That he may incline our hearts unto him That he may not only bless us with outward prosperity and glory; but especially with spiritual blessings; and that as he has given us his word to teach and direct us; so he would, by his Holy Spirit, effectually incline us to obey it. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 8:59

1 Kings 8:59 . Let these my words be nigh unto the Lord our God, day and night Let a gracious return be made to every prayer that shall be made there, and that will be a constant answer to this prayer. That he maintain the cause if his servant and of his people Of me their king, and consequently of all my successors, and of the whole kingdom. As the matters shall require According to mine or their various necessities and exigences. What Solomon asks here, with regard to his prayer, is... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 8:60

1 Kings 8:60. That all the people of the earth may know that the Lord (Hebrew, Jehovah) is God That both by our virtuous and holy lives, to which his grace inclines us; and by the eminent manifestations of his power and goodness in defending and delivering us from the assaults and devices of our enemies, all the nations of the world may be convinced that our God is the living and true God, and he alone, and may thereupon be induced to renounce their idols and to serve him. For Solomon... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 8:61

1 Kings 8:61. Let your heart therefore be perfect with the Lord your God Be sincere and serious in your purposes of new obedience. Let it be universal, without dividing; upright, without dissembling; and constant, without declining. Thus having spoken to God for them, he here speaks from God to them; and those only would be the better for his prayers, that were made better by his preaching. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 8:22-66

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

Group of Brands