1 Kings 8:12-13 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 8:12-21

Here, I. Solomon encourages the priests, who came out of the temple from their ministration, much astonished at the dark cloud that overshadowed them. The disciples of Christ feared when they entered into the cloud, though it was a bright cloud (Luke 9:34), so did the priests when they found themselves wrapped in a thick cloud. To silence their fears, 1. He reminds them of that which they could not but know, that this was a token of God's presence (1 Kgs. 8:12): The Lord said he would dwell in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 8:12

And then spake Solomon ,.... Perceiving by this symbol that the Lord was come into his house, to take up his dwelling in it, and seeing the priests and people in consternation at it, spake the following words to their comfort: the Lord said that he would dwell in the thick darkness ; and now was fulfilling his promise, and therefore to be considered not as a token of his displeasure, but of his gracious presence; this was done for the greater awe of the divine Majesty, and to denote the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 8:13

I have surely built thee an house to dwell in ,.... Turning himself from the priests and people, he quieted with a few words, he addressed the Lord; having built an house for him, for his worship and glory, with this view, that he might dwell in it, he was now, by the above token, fully assured it would be an habitation for him: a settled place for thee to abide in for ever ; which is observed in distinction from the tabernacle of Moses, which was often removed from place to place,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 8:12

The Lord said - he would dwell - It was under the appearance of a cloud that God showed himself present with Israel in the wilderness; see Exodus 14:19 , Exodus 14:20 . And at the dedication of the tabernacle in the wilderness, God manifested himself in the same way that he did here at the dedication of the temple; see Exodus 40:34 , Exodus 40:35 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 8:13

I have surely built thee a house - He was now fully convinced that the thing pleased God, and that he had taken this place for his settled habitation. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 8:12

Then spake Solomon [in a transport of emotion at the sight. The cloud and the glory proved that his pious work was accepted. These blessed tokens assured him that "the Lord was there" ( Ezekiel 48:35 ); that the incomprehensible Godhead had entered the earthly shrine he had prepared, and would dwell there], The Lord said that he would dwell in the thick darkness. [Heb. עֲרָפֶל , lit; darkness of clouds . When did God speak of dwelling in dark cloud? The reference, probably, is to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 8:13

I have surely built [Heb. to build, I have built ] thee a house to dwell in, a settled place for thee to abide in forever. [The temple was primarily, as already remarked, a shrine for the ark, between the cherubim of the mercy seat of which God dwelt. This was a מָכוֹן (from כוּן , statuit ), a settled place. The tabernacle was but a poor and transitory abode, partaking of the frailty of the shepherd's tent ( Isaiah 38:12 ). For עוֹלָמִים ( αἰῶνες ), cf. Isaiah... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 8:12

Rather, “The Lord spake of dwelling in the thick darkness” (margin reference). Solomon sees in the cloud the visible symbol of God’s presence, and accepts the token as a proof that He has taken possession of the house built for Him, and will thenceforth dwell there 1 Kings 8:13. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 8:12

1 Kings 8:12. Then spake Solomon Perceiving both priests and people to be struck with consternation and horror at this supernatural and sudden darkness, he uttered the words which follow, to compose their minds and comfort them. The Lord said he would dwell in the thick darkness This dark cloud, therefore, is not a sign of his displeasure, as some may imagine, but rather a token of his special presence with us, and approbation of us, and that he owns this for his house, and will dwell in... read more