And he stood and blessed all the congregation of Israel with a loud voice ,.... Turning himself the altar, and his face to the people, giving them his benediction, not only as the father of his people, but as preacher in Jerusalem, closing it with a word of exhortation to them: saying : as follows. read more
Blessed be the Lord, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according, to all that he promised .... A land of rest, and rest in the land from all enemies; see Deuteronomy 12:9 , there hath not failed one word of all his good promises, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant : so Joshua observed a little before his death, Joshua 23:14 to which Solomon seems to have respect; and who lived to see a greater accomplishment of the gracious promises of God, and his... read more
He stood , and blessed all the congregation - This blessing is contained in 1 Kings 8:57 , 1 Kings 8:58 . read more
And he stood [this does not necessarily imply that he drew nearer to the congregation, as Keil] , and blessed [cf. 2 Samuel 6:18 , and see note on 2 Samuel 6:14 . The words of blessing, which are presently given (verses 56-61), prove that he did not assume priestly functions and put any blessing upon the people, Numbers 6:27 ] all the congregation of Israel with a loud [Heb. great ] voice, saying, read more
Blessed be the Lord, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised [a distinct reference to Deuteronomy 12:9 , Deuteronomy 12:10 (cf. Deuteronomy 3:20 ), where we read that when the Lord should have given rest to Israel, then a place for sacrifice, etc; should be appointed ( Deuteronomy 12:11 ). That place is now dedicated, and the king sees in this circumstance a proof that the rest is now at last fully attained. The permanent sanctuary is a pledge... read more
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
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
given rest. Compare Exodus 33:14 . not failed. Not fallen [to the ground]. Hebrew. naphal, to fall. Solomon knows Joshua 23:14 . Compare Joshua 21:45 , Moses His servant. See note on Exodus 14:31 . read more
5. The temple dedication ch. 8This chapter climaxes the writer’s emphasis on the greatness of Yahweh as Israel’s God. It is the most detailed account of a dedication service in the Bible. It is also one of the most theologically significant texts in 1 and 2 Kings. read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 8:54-61
Solomon, after his sermon in Ecclesiastes, gives us the conclusion of the whole matter; so he does here, after this long prayer; it is called his blessing the people, 1 Kgs. 8:55. He pronounced it standing, that he might be the better heard, and because he blessed as one having authority. Never were words more fitly spoken, nor more pertinently. Never was congregation dismissed with that which was more likely to affect them and abide with them. I. He gives God the glory of the great and kind... read more