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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 8:22-53

Solomon having made a general surrender of this house to God, which God had signified his acceptance of by taking possession, next follows Solomon's prayer, in which he makes a more particular declaration of the uses of that surrender, with all humility and reverence, desiring that God would agree thereto. In short, it is his request that this temple may be deemed and taken, not only for a house of sacrifice (no mention is made of that in all this prayer, that was taken for granted), but a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 8:31

If any man trespass against his neighbour ,.... By being unfaithful in a trust committed to him, or the like: and an oath be laid upon him to cause him to swear ; he denying that ever anything was committed to his trust, and there being no witnesses of it, the judge obliges him to take an oath he never had any: and the oath come before thine altar in this house ; where it was taken, as in the presence of God, and as appealing to him: hence in corrupt times they came to swear by the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 8:32

Then hear thou in heaven ,.... When the injured person makes supplication to have justice done him: and do, and judge thy servants ; contending with one another, the one affirming, the other denying condemning the wicked, by bringing his way upon his head : inflicting upon him the punishment imprecated by him in his oath: and justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness ; by making it appear that his cause is just. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 8:31

If any man trespass against his neighbor - Solomon puts here seven cases, in all of which the mercy and intervention of God would be indispensably requisite; and he earnestly bespeaks that mercy and intervention on condition that the people pray towards that holy place, and with a feeling heart make earnest supplication. The First case is one of doubtfulness; where a man has sustained an injury, and charges it on a suspected person, though not able to bring direct evidence of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 8:23-53

The Prayer of Dedication. In how many and varied ways is Solomon a type of the Divine Solomon, the true Son of David Even in this respect they are alike—that each has "taught us how to pray" ( Luke 11:1 sqq.) For we may be sure that the Prayer of Dedication is for our instruction and imitation, otherwise it would hardly have been recorded, and recorded at such length, in Scripture. "After this manner therefore pray ye" ( Matthew 6:9 ). I. LAYMEN MAY OFFER PUBLIC PRAYER ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 8:31

If any man trespass [The force of the Hebrew (which begins somewhat abruptly) אֵת אֲשֶׁר ( LXX . ὅσα ἂν ἁμάρτη ) is probably, As for that which, or in all cases in which, i.e; when . The chronicler, as usual, simplifies by reading אֵם ] against his neighbour, and an oath be laid [Heb. and he (the neighbour) lay an oath, i.e; prescribe a form of adjuration, such as that in Deuteronomy 21:7 ] upon him to cause him to swear, and the oath come [This translation... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 8:32

Then hear thou in heaven [Heb. and thou, thou wilt hear the heavens . The same expression, תּשְׁמַע הַשָּׁמַיִם , is found in verses 34, 36, 39. See Ewald, 300 a. Keil sees in it the adverbial use of the accusative. Most of the versions read "from heaven," as does the Chronicles and one MS .], and do [ i.e; act] and judge thy servants, condemning [Heb. to make ( i.e; prove) wicked ] the wicked, to bring [Heb. give, same word as below] his way [ i.e;... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 8:31

The oath come before ... - “The oath” is equivalent to “the man who swears the oath.” A slight alteration in the present Hebrew text gives the sense “and he (the accused) go and swear before thine altar,” etc. The threats and the promises, the punishments and calamities of 1 Kings 8:31-38 were distinctly named in the Law. See the margin reference. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 8:31

1 Kings 8:31. If any man, &c. He now puts divers cases in which he supposed application would be made to God in prayer, in or toward this house of prayer; and first that of God’s being appealed to by an oath for the determining of any controverted right between man and man. If any man trespass against his neighbour If a man be accused of a trespass. And an oath be laid upon him Either by the judge, or by the party accusing him, or by the accused person himself, claiming the privilege... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 8:32

1 Kings 8:32. Then hear thou in heaven, and do, and judge Discover the truth, and judge between the contending parties. He prays that in difficult matters his throne of grace might be a throne of judgment, from which God would right the injured that believingly appealed to it; and punish the injurious that presumptuously appealed to it. To bring his way upon his head The just recompense of his wicked action and course. And justifying the righteous, to give him, &c. To vindicate him,... read more

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