1 Kings 8:27 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 8:22-53

Solomon having made a general surrender of this house to God, which God had signified his acceptance of by taking possession, next follows Solomon's prayer, in which he makes a more particular declaration of the uses of that surrender, with all humility and reverence, desiring that God would agree thereto. In short, it is his request that this temple may be deemed and taken, not only for a house of sacrifice (no mention is made of that in all this prayer, that was taken for granted), but a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 8:27

But will God indeed dwell on the earth ?.... Is it true? Can any credit be given to it? Who could ever have thought it, that so great and glorious a Being, who inhabits eternity, dwells in the highest heavens, should ever condescend to dwell on earth? Such was the amazing condescension of Christ, the Son of God, to tabernacle in human nature with men on earth, to which Solomon perhaps might have respect; his temple being the figure of his body, in which the Godhead dwells, John 2:19 . ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 8:27

But will God indeed dwell on the earth ? - This expression is full of astonishment, veneration, and delight. He is struck with the immensity, dignity, and grandeur of the Divine Being, but especially at his condescension to dwell with men: and though he sees, by his filling the place, that he has come now to make his abode with them, yet he cannot help asking the question, How can such a God dwell in such a place, and with such creatures? Behold , the heaven - The words... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 8:23-53

The Prayer of Dedication. In how many and varied ways is Solomon a type of the Divine Solomon, the true Son of David Even in this respect they are alike—that each has "taught us how to pray" ( Luke 11:1 sqq.) For we may be sure that the Prayer of Dedication is for our instruction and imitation, otherwise it would hardly have been recorded, and recorded at such length, in Scripture. "After this manner therefore pray ye" ( Matthew 6:9 ). I. LAYMEN MAY OFFER PUBLIC PRAYER ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 8:27

But [ כִי . Bähr refers for this use of the word to 1 Samuel 29:8 ; 1 Kings 11:22 ; 2 Kings 8:13 ; Jeremiah 23:18 ] will God indeed [Web. verily ; same root as that of preceding verb, " verified ." The repetition shows the connexion of thought. "But can these words be verified? Will God verily," etc.] dwell on the earth? behold the heaven and heaven of heavens [Same expression Deuteronomy 10:14 . Cf. Psalms 115:16 ; Psalms 148:4 ; Isaiah 66:1 . The Jewish belief... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 8:27

heaven of heavens - Compare Deuteronomy 10:14; Psalms 148:4. It seems to mean the heaven in its most extended compass. Solomon combines with his belief in Yahweh’s special presence in the temple, the strongest conviction that He is no local or finite deity, but is ever present everywhere. Compare Psalms 139:7-10. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 8:27

1 Kings 8:27. But will God indeed dwell on earth? Is it possible that the great and high and holy God, the infinite, the eternal, should stoop so low as to take up his dwelling among men? Behold the heaven, &c. All this vast space of the visible heaven; nay, the third and highest, therefore most extensive heaven, called, for its eminence and comprehensiveness, the heaven of heavens, cannot contain thee For thy essence reacheth far beyond them, being omnipresent. Much less this... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 8:22-66

The dedication ceremony (8:22-9:9)Solomon then went up on to a specially made bronze platform, knelt down and prayed to God in the presence of the assembled people (2 Chronicles 6:12-13). He admitted that only God’s grace had allowed his father and himself to fulfil their wish of building God a symbolic dwelling place. He prayed that God’s grace would rest likewise upon his royal descendants after him (22-26). Solomon knew there was no necessity for the temple, because God dwells everywhere.... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Kings 8:27

will. ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 . Compare 2 Chronicles 6:18 . Isaiah 66:1 .Acts 7:48 , Acts 7:49 . indeed = in truth. behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 . heaven, &c. Figure of speech Polyptoton ( App-6 ), for emphasis. how much. ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Kings 8:27

ONLY GOD'S NAME (NOT HIS ACTUAL PRESENCE) DWELT IN THE TEMPLE"But will God in very deed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded! Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O Jehovah my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer which thy servant prayeth to thee this day; that thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place whereof thou hast... read more