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Matthew Henry

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 8:47

Yet if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they were carried captives ,.... Or, "return to their heart" F1 והשיבו אל לבן "et reversi fuerint ad cor suum", Pagninas, Montanus, Vatablus. ; remember their sins, the cause of their captivity, and reflect upon them: and repent of them, and make supplication unto thee in the land of them that carried them captives ; though and while they are in such a state: saying, we have sinned, and have done perversely, we have... 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 8:47

Yet if they shall bethink themselves [Heb. as marg; bring back to their heart . Same phrase, Deuteronomy 4:39 ; Deuteronomy 30:1 . The latter passage, it should be noticed, treats of the captivity, so that Solomon, consciously or unconsciously, employs some of the very words used by Moses in contemplating this contingency. These repeated coincidences lead to the belief that the prayer was based upon and compiled from the Pentateuch] in the land whither they were carried captives,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 8:47

Bethink themselves - literally, as in the margin - i. e. “reflect,” “consider seriously.” Compare Deuteronomy 30:1.Sinned, done perversely, committed wickedness - The words here used seem to have become the standard form of expressing contrition when the time of the captivity arrived and the Israelites were forcibly removed to Babylon (compare the margin reference). The three expressions are thought to form a climax, rising from negative to positive guilt, and from mere wrongful acts to... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 8:47-49

1 Kings 8:47-49. If they shall bethink themselves Consider their ways, and reflect on their past conduct as the cause of their sufferings. Hebrew, If they shall bring back their hearts from their idols and vanities; from going out after, and trusting in, any creature. And repent Afflictions are calculated to bring men, first to serious consideration, and then to repentance; and when they are truly penitent, they wilt confess their sins and humble themselves. Saying Sensibly, and with... 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 8:47

if, &c. Deuteronomy supplied the Lord with answers in His temptation; and supplied Solomon with petitions for his prayer. Compare 1Ki 30:1-3 , 1Ki 30:4 , 1Ki 30:20 ; 1 Kings 9:26 , 1Ki 9:29 (compare verses: 1 Kings 8:51-52 below); 1 Kings 7:9 (Compare 1 Kings 8:23 above); and 1 Kings 10:14 (Compare 1 Kings 8:27 above), &c. bethink themselves = call themselves to their right mind. (The verb is in the Hiphil.) saying, We have sinned. Compare Nehemiah 1:6 , Nehemiah 1:7 . Daniel 9:8 . read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Kings 8:1-66

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

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Kings 8:22-53

Solomon’s prayer of dedication 8:22-53This great prayer centers on the Mosaic Covenant. That is its heart. It is the longest prayer in the Bible. Solomon introduced seven petitions with a backward look emphasizing God’s faithfulness (1 Kings 8:23-26). He concluded with a forward look stressing God’s mercy (1 Kings 8:52-53).Solomon’s posture of kneeling with open hands uplifted to heaven (1 Kings 8:52) symbolized his heart attitude, as posture often does in prayer. [Note: See Thomas L.... read more

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