1 Kings 8:23-53 ESV

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 8:44

If thy people go out to battle against their enemy, whithersoever [Heb. in the way which ] thou shalt send them [These words clearly imply that the war, whether defensive or offensive ( i.e; for the chastisement of other nations), is one which had God's sanction, and indeed was waged by His appointment], and shall pray unto the Lord toward [Heb. in the way of . Same expression as above. The repetition is significant. "They have gone in God's way. They may therefore look the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 8:45

Then hear thou in heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause. [Heb. do their judgments, i.e; secure them justice, defend the right. Same words, Deuteronomy 10:18 ; cf. Psalms 9:5 , Heb.] The last petition—the second of those which speak of prayers addressed towards the temple, or the Holy Presence which dwelt there, from a foreign land—contemplates as possible the captivity of the Hebrew nation. It has hence been too readily inferred that this portion of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 8:46

If they sin against thee (for there is no man that sinneth not), and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy [Heb. give them before an enemy ] , so that they carry them away captives unto the land of the enemy, fax or near; read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 8:47

Yet if they shall bethink themselves [Heb. as marg; bring back to their heart . Same phrase, Deuteronomy 4:39 ; Deuteronomy 30:1 . The latter passage, it should be noticed, treats of the captivity, so that Solomon, consciously or unconsciously, employs some of the very words used by Moses in contemplating this contingency. These repeated coincidences lead to the belief that the prayer was based upon and compiled from the Pentateuch] in the land whither they were carried captives,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 8:48

And so return unto thee with all their heart [almost the words of Deuteronomy 30:1-20 . Deuteronomy 30:2 , as those in verse 47 are of Deuteronomy 30:1 ], and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, Which led them away captive [observe the paronomasia— שבו is here used in two senses], and pray unto thee toward [Heb. the way of ] their land [see Daniel 6:10 ] which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 8:49

Then hear thou their prayer and their supplication in heaven thy dwelling place, and maintain their cause. [Heb. do their judgments, as in verse 45.] read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 8:49

Occasions for Prayer. In the prayer of dedication Solomon suggests occasions on which it would be natural for men to turn to their God. The Divine Presence is constant, but our realization of it is not. Many require the shock of some unexpected or lamentable occurrence to rouse them to prayer. This effect, however, will only be seen in those who have, underlying their forgetfulness and sensuousness, an abiding (though sometimes inoperative) belief in God. This Israel for the most part had.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 8:50

And forgive thy people that have sinned against thee, and all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against thee, and give them compassion [Heb. to compassion or bowels רַחֲמִים = τὰ σπλάγχνα , 2 Corinthians 6:12 ; Philippians 1:8 ; Philippians 2:1 , etc. before them who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them. [For the fulfilment of this prayer, see Ezra 1:3 , Ezra 1:7 ; Ezra 6:13 ; Nehemiah 2:6 . Compare Psalms 106:46 .] ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 8:51

For they be thy people [a citation or reminiscence of Deuteronomy 4:10 ], and thine inheritance, which thou broughtest forth out of Egypt [cf. Deuteronomy 4:21 , 53. There is a constant recurrence throughout the Old Testament to this great deliverance, and with good reason, for it was the real birthday of the nation, and was also a pledge of future help and favour. God who had "wrought such great things for them in Egypt "could not well forsake them. Solomon's constant plea is that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 8:52

That thine eyes may be open [cf. 1 Kings 8:29 ] unto the supplication of thy servant, and unto the supplication of thy people Israel [of. 1 Kings 8:28 , 1 Kings 8:30 ], to hearken unto them in all that they call for unto thee. read more

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 8:44

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 8:45

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 8:46

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 8:47

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 8:48

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 8:49

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 8:49

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 8:50

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 8:51

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 8:52

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