1 Kings 8:21

And I have set there a place for the ark, wherein is the covenant of the Lord [Hence its name, "the ark of the covenant" ( Exodus 34:28 ; cf. Deuteronomy 9:11 )] which he made with our forefathers when he brought them out of the land of Egypt [ 1 Kings 8:9 , 1 Kings 8:16 ].

SECTION II. —The Prayer.

The prayer of dedication, properly so called, now begins. This solemn and beautiful composition was probably copied by our author from the "Book of the Acts of Solomon" ( 1 Kings 11:41 ), possibly from the "Book of Nathan the prophet" ( 2 Chronicles 9:29 ). It was evidently committed to writing beforehand, and would, no doubt, as a matter of course, be religiously preserved. The later criticism objects to its authenticity that the many references to the Pentateuch prove it to be of a later date. Ewald assigns it to the seventh century B.C.; but this is simply to beg the question of the date of the Pentateuch. It is obviously open to reply that these references only prove that the king was acquainted, as he was bound to be ( Deuteronomy 17:18 ), with the words of the law. It divides itself into three parts. The first (verses 22-30) is general; the second (verses 31-53) consists of seven special petitions; the last (verses 50-53) consists of a general conclusion and appeal to God's covenant mercy.