1 Kings 8:12 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 8:12-21

Here, I. Solomon encourages the priests, who came out of the temple from their ministration, much astonished at the dark cloud that overshadowed them. The disciples of Christ feared when they entered into the cloud, though it was a bright cloud (Luke 9:34), so did the priests when they found themselves wrapped in a thick cloud. To silence their fears, 1. He reminds them of that which they could not but know, that this was a token of God's presence (1 Kgs. 8:12): The Lord said he would dwell in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 8:12

And then spake Solomon ,.... Perceiving by this symbol that the Lord was come into his house, to take up his dwelling in it, and seeing the priests and people in consternation at it, spake the following words to their comfort: the Lord said that he would dwell in the thick darkness ; and now was fulfilling his promise, and therefore to be considered not as a token of his displeasure, but of his gracious presence; this was done for the greater awe of the divine Majesty, and to denote the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 8:12

The Lord said - he would dwell - It was under the appearance of a cloud that God showed himself present with Israel in the wilderness; see Exodus 14:19 , Exodus 14:20 . And at the dedication of the tabernacle in the wilderness, God manifested himself in the same way that he did here at the dedication of the temple; see Exodus 40:34 , Exodus 40:35 . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 8:12

Then spake Solomon [in a transport of emotion at the sight. The cloud and the glory proved that his pious work was accepted. These blessed tokens assured him that "the Lord was there" ( Ezekiel 48:35 ); that the incomprehensible Godhead had entered the earthly shrine he had prepared, and would dwell there], The Lord said that he would dwell in the thick darkness. [Heb. עֲרָפֶל , lit; darkness of clouds . When did God speak of dwelling in dark cloud? The reference, probably, is to... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 8:12

Rather, “The Lord spake of dwelling in the thick darkness” (margin reference). Solomon sees in the cloud the visible symbol of God’s presence, and accepts the token as a proof that He has taken possession of the house built for Him, and will thenceforth dwell there 1 Kings 8:13. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 8:12

1 Kings 8:12. Then spake Solomon Perceiving both priests and people to be struck with consternation and horror at this supernatural and sudden darkness, he uttered the words which follow, to compose their minds and comfort them. The Lord said he would dwell in the thick darkness This dark cloud, therefore, is not a sign of his displeasure, as some may imagine, but rather a token of his special presence with us, and approbation of us, and that he owns this for his house, and will dwell in... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 8:1-21

The ark brought to the temple (8:1-21)People came from all over Israel to celebrate the dedication of the temple (see v. 65). The ceremony took place at the time of the mid-year festival season (8:1-2; see Leviticus 23:24,Leviticus 23:27,Leviticus 23:34).In transferring the ark from David’s temporary tent to the temple, Solomon, evidently remembering the mistake of his father, was careful to see that the priests and Levites carried the ark and all the holy vessels in the proper manner (3-9; cf.... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Kings 8:12

dwell. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia . App-6 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Kings 8:12

"Then spake Solomon, Jehovah hath said that he would dwell in thick darkness. I have surely built thee a house of habitation, a place for thee to dwell in forever. And the king turned his face about, and blessed all the assembly of Israel: and all the assembly of Israel stood. And he said, Blessed be Jehovah, the God of Israel, who spake with his mouth to David my father, and with his hand fulfilled it, saying, Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 8:12

12. Then spake Solomon—For the reassurance of the priests and people, the king reminded them that the cloud, instead of being a sign ominous of evil, was a token of approval. The Lord said—not in express terms, but by a continuous course of action (Exodus 13:21; Exodus 24:16; Numbers 9:15). read more