1 Kings 8:2 KJV

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 8:2

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 8:2

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 8:2

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 8:2

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 8:2

1 Kings 8:2. All the men of Israel assembled Not only the chief men, who were particularly invited, but a vast number of the common people, as being desirous to see and join in this great and glorious solemnity. At the feast This feast of the dedication to which Solomon had invited them. In the month Ethanim, which is the seventh month This time he chose for the people’s greater convenience, because now they had gathered in all their fruits, and were going up to Jerusalem to celebrate... 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 8:2

Ethanim. Same as Tisri. the seventh month. Compare Leviticus 23:24 . See note on 1 Kings 6:38 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Kings 8:2

1 Kings 8:2. All the men of Israel assembled—in the month Ethanim— To celebrate the dedication of his new temple with greater magnificence, Solomon chose to defer it till the next year, which was the Jubilee, their ninth, according to Archbishop Usher, which opened the fourth millenary of the world: at which solemnity there used to be always a vast concourse of people from all parts of the kingdom. The ceremony began on the eighth day of the seventh month of the sacred year, which was the first... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 8:2

2-6. at the feast in the month Ethanim—The public and formal inauguration of this national place of worship did not take place till eleven months after the completion of the edifice. The delay, most probably, originated in Solomon's wish to choose the most fitting opportunity when there should be a general rendezvous of the people in Jerusalem ( :-); and that was not till the next year. That was a jubilee year, and he resolved on commencing the solemn ceremonial a few days before the feast of... read more