1 Kings 8:12-53

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

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 8:12

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 8:14

And the king turned his face about ,.... He was before the altar, 1 Kings 8:22 , with his face to that first, and looking towards the holy and the most holy place, filled with the cloud and glory; and now he turned himself and stood with the altar behind him, and looking to the court of the people: and blessed all the congregation of Israel ; either blessed the Lord before them, or prayed for blessings for them, or congratulated them upon the Lord's taking up his residence in the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 8:15

And he said, blessed be the Lord God of Israel ,.... All praise and glory, honour and blessing, be ascribed to the Lord; who had afresh shown himself to be Israel's covenant God, by taking up his residence among them in the temple he had filled with his glory: which spake with his mouth to David my father, and hath with his hand fulfilled it ; who graciously promised him he should have a son that should build an house for him, and which he had by his power and providence faithfully... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 8:16

Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt ,.... Which was now about four hundred and eighty eight years ago; see 1 Kings 6:1 . I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build an house, that my name might be therein ; he had chosen one in his mind from all eternity; but he had not made known this choice, nor the place he had chosen; he gave hints by Moses, that there was a place which he should choose, or declare he had chosen to put his name in, but did... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 8:17

And it was in the heart of David my father ,.... His mind was disposed to it, his heart was set upon it, he had taken up a resolution: to build an house for the name of the Lord God of Israel ; for his worship and service, for his honour and glory, 2 Samuel 7:3 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 8:18

And the Lord said unto David my father ,.... By Nathan the prophet: whereas it was in thine heart to build an house unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thine heart ; his design was good, and so far it was acceptable to the Lord, that he thought of such a thing, though it was not his pleasure that should do it, as follows. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 8:19

Nevertheless, thou shall not build the house ,.... Which is implied in the question in 2 Samuel 7:5 . but thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house unto my name ; which is expressed in 2 Samuel 7:12 . read more

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