1 Kings 8:1-2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 8:1-11

The temple, though richly beautified, yet while it was without the ark was like a body without a soul, or a candlestick without a candle, or (to speak more properly) a house without an inhabitant. All the cost and pains bestowed on this stately structure are lost if God do not accept them; and, unless he please to own it as the place where he will record his name, it is after all but a ruinous heap. When therefore all the work is ended (1 Kgs. 7:51), the one thing needful is yet behind, and... read more

John Gill

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

Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel ,.... The judges in the several cities, or senators of the great sanhedrim, as others; though it is a question whether as yet there was such a court: and all the heads of the tribes ; the princes of the twelve tribes: the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel ; the principal men of the ancient families in every tribe: unto King Solomon in Jerusalem ; these he summoned together to himself there where the temple was built: ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 8:2

And all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto King Solomon at the feast ,.... Not of tabernacles, as the Targum on 2 Chronicles 5:3 and so Jarchi; though that was in the same month next mentioned, and began on the fifteenth of it, and held seven days; wherefore this must be the feast of the dedication of the temple, and which was kept before that; since both lasted fourteen days, and the people were dismissed on the twenty third of the month; now not only the above principal persons... read more

Adam Clarke

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

Then Solomon assembled - It has already been observed that Solomon deferred the dedication of the temple to the following year after it was finished, because that year, according to Archbishop Usher, was a jubilee. "This," he observes, "was the ninth jubilee, opening the fourth millenary of the world, or A.M. 3001, wherein Solomon with great magnificence celebrated the dedication of the temple seven days, and the feast of tabernacles other seven days; and the celebration of the eighth... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 8:2

At the feast in the month Ethanim - The feast of tabernacles, which was celebrated in the seventh month of what is called the ecclesiastical gear. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 8:1

EXPOSITION THE DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLE .—The stately and impressive service with which the Temple, the character and contents of which have now been described, was dedicated, is related in this chapter, and divides itself into four sections. We have SECTION I. — The Removal of the Ark . Then [ i.e; when the work of the house of the Lord was practically ended, as stated in 1 Kings 7:51 . But the precise date of the dedication is a matter of dispute and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 8:2

And all the men of Israel [not all the heads of the tribes just mentioned ( 1 Kings 8:1 ), as Keil, but all who came to the feast, as every male Israelite was under obligation to do ( Deuteronomy 16:16 ) ] assembled themselves unto King Solomon at the feast [the Heb. word הֶחָג (with the art.) always means the feast of tabernacles. The same word is used of the feast of passover ( Exodus 23:15 ) and pentecost ( ib . verse 16), but "the feast" here can only mean that of... read more

Albert Barnes

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

There seems to be a contrast here between the more popular proceedings of David 2 Samuel 6:1, and the statelier system of his son, who merely summons the chief men as representatives of the nation. The rest of the people “assembled themselves” 1 Kings 8:2, and were mere spectators of the solemnity. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 8:2

The feast in the month Ethanim - i. e. the Feast of Tabernacles, or the Feast of Ingathering, the commemoration of the dwelling in booths at the time of the Exodus (margin reference), and the festival of thanksgiving on account of the completion of harvest Exodus 23:16; Leviticus 23:39; Deuteronomy 16:13. It was one of the three on which the people were required to “appear before the Lord.” read more

Joseph Benson

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

1 Kings 8:1. Solomon assembled the elders of Israel The senators, and judges, and rulers. And all the heads of the tribes For each tribe had a peculiar head or governor. The chief of the fathers The principal person of every great Family in each tribe. Unto King Solomon, in Jerusalem Where the temple was built, and now finished. That they might bring up the ark With solemn pomp to the top of Moriah, (upon which mountain the temple stood,) in order that by this their attendance... read more

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