1 Kings 8:35. When heaven is shut up The lower or aerial heaven, in which the clouds are. This is compared to a great storehouse in God’s keeping, out of which nothing can be obtained so long as it is close shut up. And as he is said to bring the wind, (Psalms 135:7,) so the rain, out of this treasury. read more
1 Kings 8:36. That thou teach them the good way The way of their duty, which is good in itself, and both delightful and profitable to those that walk in it. But this clause is better translated, 2 Chronicles 6:27, (where the Hebrew words are the same with these here,) When thou hast taught them the good way wherein they should walk, namely, when their afflictions have had the desired effect to teach them better obedience. And give rain upon the land The order of Solomon’s prayer is very... read more
1 Kings 8:37. If there be in the land famine Which arose sometimes from other causes besides want of rain. If their enemy besiege them in the land of their cities In their gates, whereby they should be so straitened, that none could go in or out. Whatsoever plague The word נגע , negang, here rendered plague, properly signifies some extraordinary stroke by the hand of God. Whatsoever sickness there be For Solomon believed whatever calamity befel other people, might light on... read more
1 Kings 8:38. What prayer and supplication soever be made by any man Distressed through national calamities, or private and personal troubles. He now comes to speak of the case of individual Israelites. If any man of Israel has an errand to thee, here let him find thee, here let him find favour with thee. He does not instance in particulars; so numerous, so various are the grievances of the children of men. Which shall know every man the plague of his own heart His sinfulness, the... read more
1 Kings 8:39-40. Give to every man according to his ways According to his repentance or impenitency. As if he had said, I pray with the greater hope and confidence, because I do not desire that thou wouldst deliver such as are insensible of their sins and of thy judgments, but only those that are truly brought to know the plague of their own hearts in the manner before explained. Whose heart thou knowest Thou art acquainted not only with the plague of their hearts, their several wants... read more
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
When heaven is shut up. Compare Leviticus 26:19 . Deuteronomy 11:17 . Compare Ch. 1 Kings 17:1 . read more
that Thou teach = because Thou wilt teach. read more
pestilence = death. Compare Leviticus 26:26 . blasting = blight. cities. Hebrew gates. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct) for cities. read more
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Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 8:38
Know every man the plague of his own heart - i. e. perceive one’s sinfulness, or recognize one’s sufferings as divine chastisements, and sin as their cause. read more