And I have set there a place for the ark ,.... The most holy place: wherein is the covenant of the Lord ; the two tables of stone, on which were the covenant of the Lord, as the Targum: which he made with our fathers, when he brought them out of the land of Egypt ; as in 1 Kings 8:9 . read more
Wherein is the covenant of the Lord - As it is said, 1 Kings 8:9 , that there was nothing in the ark but the two tables of stone, consequently these are called the Covenant, i.e., a sign of the covenant; as our Lord calls the cup the new covenant in his blood, that is, the sign of the new covenant: for This is my body implies, This is the sign or emblem of my body. read more
And I have set there a place for the ark, wherein is the covenant of the Lord [Hence its name, "the ark of the covenant" ( Exodus 34:28 ; cf. Deuteronomy 9:11 )] which he made with our forefathers when he brought them out of the land of Egypt [ 1 Kings 8:9 , 1 Kings 8:16 ]. SECTION II. —The Prayer. The prayer of dedication, properly so called, now begins. This solemn and beautiful composition was probably copied by our author from the "Book of the Acts of Solomon" ( 1... read more
1 Kings 8:21. I have set there a place for the ark The token of God’s presence with us; wherein is the covenant of the Lord That is, the tables of the covenant, in which are written the conditions of God’s covenant with our fathers. When he brought them out of the land of Egypt And declared to them that by the tenure of this covenant they were to hold the land of Canaan. read more
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
the covenant. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), App-6 , for the two tables of stone on which it was written. read more
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
Solomon’s address to the people 8:12-21God previously said He would dwell in the cloudy pillar (Leviticus 16:2). Solomon hoped God would now dwell in the temple forever (i.e., from then on).Solomon emphasized the desire of David’s heart to build the temple (1 Kings 8:17-18). God raised up Solomon to do that, as He had promised. The temple was a house for the reputation (name) of Yahweh; it made a statement about Him. "Name" occurs 14 times in 1 Kings 8:16-20. The Mosaic Covenant was the basis... 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
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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