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
The Dedication of the Temple. Solomon’s Prayer1. The chief of the fathers] i.e. heads of families. Out of the city] The Temple and Palace were built on the site of Araunah’s threshing floor (2 Chronicles 3:1), which would naturally be outside the city walls and on higher ground: cp. 1 Kings 9:24. 2. Ethanim] The later Tishri, corresponding to Sept.-Oct. The feast referred to was Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:34).3. The priests] 2 Chronicles 5:4 has ’the Levites,’ certain of whom (the Kohathites)... read more
(2) The month Ethanim (called after the Captivity Tisri), corresponded with the end of September and beginning of October. The name is supposed (by Thenius) to be properly, as in the LXX., Athanim, and to signify the “month of gifts,” so called as bringing with it the gathering in of the vintage, and of the last of the crops. According to the Chaldee Targum, it was in old times the beginning of the civil, as Abib of the ecclesiastical year. The feast in this month was the Feast of... read more
Solomon's Temple 1 Kings 8:11 The whole of this chapter is taken up with the account of the consummation of Solomon's magnum opus. The great work of his life, for the accomplishment of which he had been called to the throne, was the building of the temple. It was the sacred task bequeathed to him by his father David the cherished dream of David's later years, for which he had prepared with all his might. I. I read the account of the elaborate and magnificent preparations for the temple and... read more
THE TEMPLE WORSHIP1 Kings 8:1-11"Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, are these. Behold, ye trust m lying words, that cannot profit."- Jeremiah 7:4; Jeremiah 7:8THE actual Temple building, apart from its spacious courts, was neither for worshippers nor for priests, neither for sacrifice nor for prayer. It existed only for symbolism and, at least: in later days, for expiation. No prayer was offered in the sanctuary. The... read more
THE GRADUAL GROWTH OF THE LEVITIC RITUAL1 Kings 8:1-66"Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice."- 1 Samuel 15:22BEFORE we enter on the subject of the Temple worship, it is necessary to emphasize a fact which will meet us again and again in many forms as we consider the history of the Chosen People: It is the amazing ignorance which seems to have prevailed among them for centuries as to the most central and decisive elements of nearly the whole of the Mosaic law as we now read it in the... read more
CHAPTER 8The Dedication of the Temple 1. The great assembly (1 Kings 8:1-2 ) 2. The transportation of the ark (1 Kings 8:3-9 ) 3. The glory of the LORD filling the house (1 Kings 8:10-11 ) 4. Solomon’s opening words (1 Kings 8:12-21 ) 5. Solomon’s great prayer (1 Kings 8:22-53 ) 6. Solomon’s benediction (1 Kings 8:54-61 ) 7. The sacrifices and the feast (1 Kings 8:62-66 ) The ark of the covenant is now to be transported out of David’s city to be put into the most holy place,... read more
8:2 And all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto king Solomon at the feast in the month {b} Ethanim, which [is] the seventh month.(b) Containing part of September and part of October, in which they held three solemn feasts, Numbers 29:1. read more
THE ARK AND TABERNACLE FURNITURE (vs.1-13) The temple being completed, there was one matter of importance remaining. Thus, for the bringing of the ark to the temple Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and the heads of tribes (v.1). The ark is the symbol of Christ as the Sustainer of the throne of God (the mercy seat), and it had dwelt in tents for many years, speaking of Christ being a Sojourner with His people until the day when He will take His rightful throne in the millennial kingdom.... read more
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Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Kings 8:1-11
The entrance of the ark 8:1-11The Israelites regarded the ark as the throne of Yahweh. It was the place where He manifested His presence in a localized way and where He received the blood that atoned for the Israelites’ sins on the Day of Atonement. The ark had rested in David’s tabernacle in Zion since David had brought it from the house of Obed-edom (2 Samuel 6:17). It was the only item in the temple that was not new. Perhaps God did not change it to help the people realize that He,... read more