1 Kings 8:56

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 8:54-61

Solomon, after his sermon in Ecclesiastes, gives us the conclusion of the whole matter; so he does here, after this long prayer; it is called his blessing the people, 1 Kgs. 8:55. He pronounced it standing, that he might be the better heard, and because he blessed as one having authority. Never were words more fitly spoken, nor more pertinently. Never was congregation dismissed with that which was more likely to affect them and abide with them. I. He gives God the glory of the great and kind... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 8:56

Blessed be the Lord, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according, to all that he promised .... A land of rest, and rest in the land from all enemies; see Deuteronomy 12:9 , there hath not failed one word of all his good promises, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant : so Joshua observed a little before his death, Joshua 23:14 to which Solomon seems to have respect; and who lived to see a greater accomplishment of the gracious promises of God, and his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 8:56

Blessed be the Lord, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised [a distinct reference to Deuteronomy 12:9 , Deuteronomy 12:10 (cf. Deuteronomy 3:20 ), where we read that when the Lord should have given rest to Israel, then a place for sacrifice, etc; should be appointed ( Deuteronomy 12:11 ). That place is now dedicated, and the king sees in this circumstance a proof that the rest is now at last fully attained. The permanent sanctuary is a pledge... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 8:55-56

1 Kings 8:55-56. He stood and blessed all the congregation, &c. He spoke what follows standing, that he might be the better heard, and because he blessed as one having authority. Never were words more pertinently spoken; never was a congregation dismissed with that which was more likely to affect them, and to abide with them. Blessed be the Lord that hath given rest, &c., according to all that he promised Thus he, as it were, writes a receipt in full on the back of the bonds of... 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 8:56

given rest. Compare Exodus 33:14 . not failed. Not fallen [to the ground]. Hebrew. naphal, to fall. Solomon knows Joshua 23:14 . Compare Joshua 21:45 , Moses His servant. See note on Exodus 14:31 . 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 8:54-61

Solomon’s benediction on the people 8:54-61This benediction began with a review of God’s past faithfulness (1 Kings 8:56). Solomon then voiced three wishes (1 Kings 8:57-59) with an explanation concerning his motive (1 Kings 8:60). He concluded with a challenge for the future (1 Kings 8:61). The three desires of Solomon’s heart were, first, that God would bless his generation with His divine presence (1 Kings 8:57). Second, he asked that He would give His people the will to walk in obedience to... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 8:1-66

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

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Kings 8:56

(56) That hath given rest.—Now for the first time the frequent promise of rest (Exodus 33:14; Deuteronomy 12:10, &c.)—partially fulfilled after the conquest of the days of Joshua (Joshua 21:44-45; Joshua 23:1; Joshua 23:14), and after the establishment of the kingdom of David (2 Samuel 7:1)—was perfectly accomplished under Solomon the Peaceful, and the whole charter of gift of the promised land (Joshua 1:3-4) for the first time thoroughly entered upon. Of the “rest” of Israel, the transfer... read more

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