1 Kings 8:38-39

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 8:38

What prayer and supplication soever ,.... On account of any of the above things, or any other: be made by any man, or by all the people Israel ; by a private man, for such an one might go to the temple and pray by himself; see Luke 18:10 or by the public congregation: which shall know every man the plague of his own heart ; be sensible of his sin as the cause of his distress, and own it, though ever so privately committed, which none knows but God and his own heart; and which may... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 8:39

Then hear thou in heaven thy dwellingplace ,.... Which was more properly so than this Solomon had built, and the Lord had taken possession of: and forgive ; remove the calamity and distress, be it what it may: and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest : that his prayer is cordial and sincere, his confession and repentance genuine, and that he is truly sensible of his sin, and sorry for it, and is pure in his intentions and resolutions, through... 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 8:38

What prayer and supplication soever [There is here a studied reference to the preceding words. Lit; every prayer, etc. We might render in 1 Kings 8:37 , "Whatsoever the plague," etc; and here, "Whatsoever the prayer," etc.] be made by any man, or by all thy people Israel, which shall know every man the plague of his own heart [Here again there is an unmistakeable reference to the "plague" (same word) of 1 Kings 8:37 . The plague of the heart is the inner smart of the conscience... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 8:38

The consecration of the temple was the grandest religious ceremony of the old covenant. It is important— I. BECAUSE IT CENTRALIZES THE WORSHIP OF THE THEOCRACY . II. BECAUSE IT SUPPLIES A TYPE OF THE SPIRITUAL TEMPLE which is to be reared in the Church and in every Christian soul. Solomon, as the king chosen of God, represents in this service of consecration the entire theocracy. The temple is essentially a house of prayer, as is manifest from the words... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 8:38-39

The Praying King. One of the most remarkable features of this scene of the dedication of the temple is the place occupied, the part performed, in it by Solomon himself. He is the central figure, the chief actor. Both priest and prophet give place to him. The dedicatory prayer is a spontaneous effusion of his own devout feeling, and it is he who pronounces afterwards the benediction on the people. He stands before us here as a true type of that greater "Son of David," who is our Prophet,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 8:39

Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;) [ Jeremiah 17:10 . Cf. ὁ παρδιογνώστης θεὸς ( Acts 15:8 ; also ib . Acts 1:24 ). read more

Albert Barnes

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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 8:38

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

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