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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 9:1-9

God had given a real answer to Solomon's prayer, and tokens of his acceptance of it, immediately, by the fire from heaven which consumed the sacrifices (as we find 2 Chron. 7:1); but here we have a more express and distinct answer to it. Observe, I. In what way God gave him this answer. He appeared to him, as he had done at Gibeon, in the beginning of his reign, in a dream or vision, 1 Kgs. 9:2. The comparing of it with that intimates that it was the very night after he had finished the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 9:6

But if you shall at all turn from following me, you or your children ,.... From my worship, as the Targum; either Solomon or his successors, or the people of Israel and their posterity; should they turn their backs on God and his worship, meaning not in a single instance, or in some small degree; but as in the original, "if in turning ye turn" F5 אם שוב תשבון "si avertendo aversi fueritis", Pagninus, Montanus, &c.; , that is, utterly, and entirely, or wholly turn from him and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 9:1-9

The Second Appearance to Solomon. "Behold the goodness and severity of God" ( Romans 11:22 ). To Solomon goodness, to Israel severity. I. The GOODNESS OF GOD is manifested— 1. In revealing Himself to Solomon . The greatest favour God can show us is to show us Himself; the greatest gift is to give us Himself. "Give what Thou wilt, without Thee I am poor, And with Thee rich, take what Thou wilt away." "I will love him and will manifest myself unto him" ( John... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 9:1-9

The Reviewed Covenant. This Divine manifestation was probably similar in form to that with which Solomon was favoured at the beginning of his reign, of which it is said, "In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night "( 1 Kings 3:1-28 :50). We have no means of judging as to the precise time of this occurrence; but the close connection of thought between what God here says to Solomon and the prayer at the dedication (seen most clearly in 2 Chronicles 7:14 , 2 Chronicles... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 9:6

But if ye shall at all [rather altogether, or assuredly ] turn from following me [The A.V. entirely misrepresents the force of the Hebraism, If to turn, ye shall turn, which must mean complete, not partial, apostasy. Cf. 2 Chronicles 7:19 , and 2 Samuel 7:14 , 2 Samuel 7:15 ], ye or your children [as the promises of God are to us and our children ( Acts 2:39 ), so are His threatenings], and will not keep my commandments and my statutes which I [ LXX . ΄ωυσῆς ; ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 9:6

At all turn - Rather, “If ye shall wholly turn from following Me.” (See 2 Chronicles 7:19.) The Israelites were not to be cut off, except for an entire defection. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 9:6-7

1 Kings 9:6-7. If you shall at all turn from following me Hebrew, If in turning you turn from me; that is, if you assuredly, and indeed, or, as some understand it, altogether turn from me; if you forsake my service, desert my altar, and go and serve other gods; (for that was the covenant-breaking sin;) if you or your children break off from me, and knowingly and wilfully violate my laws, this house will not save you. Then will I cut off Israel By one judgment after another, till... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 9:1-9

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

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Kings 9:2-9

1 Kings 9:2-9. That the Lord appeared to Solomon— Lest this young prince's heart should be too much elated by this extraordinary grandeur, God was pleased to appear to himin a dream on the first night of the dedication, when he expressed his acceptance of that sumptuous edifice, and renewed his promises to him and his posterity, provided he and they served him with an upright heart. On the other hand, he assured him, that in case they provoked him by their idolatry and disobedience, that... read more

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