Bible Commentaries
1 Kings 8

Verse 1

the elders. Some codices, with Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "all the elders".

and. Some codices, with three early printed editions, Aramaean, and Septuagint, omit "and".

fathers = fathers' houses = families.

children = sons.

out of the city of David: i.e. up out of Zion (the former Jebus, 2 Samuel 5:6-9 ) to Moriah, where the Temple had been built (1 Chronicles 21:28 , 1 Chronicles 22:1 ). Compare 2 Samuel 6:0 . App-68

Verse 2

Ethanim. Same as Tisri.

the seventh month. Compare Leviticus 23:24 . See note on 1 Kings 6:38 .

Verse 3

took up. As commanded in Numbers 4:5 , Numbers 4:15 , Numbers 4:19 .

Verse 4

the tabernacle = the tent. Hebrew. 'ohel . See App-40 . Brought from Gibeon (2 Chronicles 1:3 , 2 Chronicles 1:4 ). Probably put among the treasures of 1 Kings 7:51 .

priests: the ministers of sacrifice.

Levites: the ministers of praise.

Verse 6

oracle = the most holy place. Compare 2 Samuel 16:23 .

the most holy place = the holy of holies.

Verse 8

without = outside: i.e. outside the holy place.

unto this day: i.e. 1 Kings written while Temple was still standing; therefore before its destruction by Nebuchadnezzar, and before the Captivity. Compare 2 Chronicles 5:9 , and See 1 Kings 9:21 ; 1Ki 12:19 . 2 Kings 8:22 ; 2 Kings 10:27 .

Verse 9

save, &c. Hebrews 9:4 speaks of the Ark as it was in the Tabernacle, not as in the Temple. Compare Hebrews 9:2 , Hebrews 9:3 , Hebrews 9:4 .

when. Israel. The Septuagint reads "the Tables which Moses placed [there] in Horeb, which [Tables] the LORD covenanted with the sons of Israel".

Verse 12

dwell. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia . App-6 .

Verse 13

house to dwell in. Hebrew. beth zebul = Assyrian bit-zabali = high or lofty house. Compare Zebulun (Genesis 30:20 ).

Verse 14

congregation = assembly,

Verse 15

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 . saying. Compare 2 Samuel 7:6 .

Verse 16

therein = there, with Septuagint and 2 Chronicles 6:5 . The Septuagint adds after this word "and I have chosen Jerusalem that My Name might be there". This is preserved in 2 Chronicles 6:6 . The scribe's eye, in copying, went back to the next word, "I have chosen David", and went on from there, omitting the sentence given above.

Verse 18

said. Compare 2 Samuel 7:12 .

Verse 21

the covenant. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), App-6 , for the two tables of stone on which it was written.

Verse 22

stood = took his position: position, not posture. See note on 1 Kings 8:54 .

spread forth. He did this kneeling. See 1 Kings 8:54 and 2 Chronicles 6:13 .

Verse 23

mercy = lovingkindness, or grace.

Verse 25

so that = provided that,

as = according as.

Verse 26

God = Elohim. App-4 . Some codices, with Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "Jehovah Elohim". App-4 .

word. Hebrew. dabar . Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), for the promises made by it. See 1 Kings 8:56 .

Verse 27

will. ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 . Compare 2 Chronicles 6:18 . Isaiah 66:1 .Acts 7:48 , Acts 7:49 .

indeed = in truth.

behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

heaven, &c. Figure of speech Polyptoton ( App-6 ), for emphasis.

how much. ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .

Verse 28

prayer. Includes every thought of the heart which is Godward.

supplication = entreaty (for favour).

cry = the vehement utterance of either.

Verse 29

t ow

ard. So written, but some codices read "upon".

make toward. Hence Daniel's act (Daniel 6:10 ).

Verse 30

dwelling place . Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .

Verse 31

If = When, or Whosoever shall.

trespass. See App-44 . This shows an acquaintance with the Pentateuch. See 1 Kings 8:33 , and App-47 .

and the oath come. Omitted by Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate versions.

Verse 33

When. Note how these petitions are based on the Pentateuch. Compare Leviticus 26:17 . Deuteronomy 28:25 .

Verse 34

bring them again. See Deuteronomy 30:1-8 . Nehemiah 1:8 , Nehemiah 1:9 .

Verse 35

When heaven is shut up. Compare Leviticus 26:19 . Deuteronomy 11:17 . Compare Ch. 1 Kings 17:1 .

Verse 36

that Thou teach = because Thou wilt teach.

Verse 37

pestilence = death. Compare Leviticus 26:26 .

blasting = blight.

cities. Hebrew gates. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct) for cities.

Verse 38

man. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .

know = perceive in his own heart. Latin. conscio,

every man . Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

plague = punishment. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the sin which produces it.

Verse 39

his = all his, as in 2 Chronicles 6:30 .

for Thou, &c. Figure of speech Epitrechon. App-6 .

Verse 41

stranger = foreigner, or alien. Already contemplated in Numbers 15:14 .Deuteronomy 10:19 .

Verse 42

they shall hear. Compare 1 Kings 10:1 , 1Ki 10:6 , 1 Kings 10:7 .

Verse 44

enemy. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "enemies".

Verse 45

cause. Hebrew judgment: i.e. execute judgment for them.

Verse 46

there is no man that sinneth not. Figure of speech Parosmia. App-6 . Compare Proverbs 20:9 . Ecclesiastes 7:20 . James 3:2 .

Verse 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 .

Verse 48

toward their land. Compare Daniel 6:10 ; Daniel 9:5-19 . Ezra 9:5-15 ; Ezra 10:1 .Nehemiah 9:16-35 .Psalms 106:6 .

the city. Some codices, with two early printed editions, and Vulgate, read "and the city".

I have built. Hebrew text written "Thou hast built", but some codices, with three early printed editions, Aramaean, Septuagint, and Vulgate, read "I have built", as in Authorized Version.

Verse 50

forgive Thy People. Compare Leviticus 26:40 , Leviticus 26:42 .

give them. Compare Ezra 1:1 , Ezra 1:3 .

Verse 51

furnace = furnace for the smelting of iron; not made of iron. Compare Genesis 15:17 .

Verse 53

didst separate. Compare Leviticus 20:24 , Leviticus 20:26 .

people = peoples.

Verse 54

praying. prayer = making this solemn prayer, Figure of speech Polyptoton . App-6 .

kneeling. See note on 1 Kings 8:22 , and Compare 1 Kings 19:18 . Isaiah 45:23 .Ezra 9:5 . 2 Chronicles 6:13 .Daniel 6:10 . Psalms 95:6 . Standing was the earlier practice (1 Samuel 1:26 ).

Verse 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 .

Verse 57

us. Note that Solomon includes himself.

let Him not leave us, &c. See note on Genesis 28:15 .

Verse 58

incline our hearts. Compare Leviticus 26:3-13 .Deuteronomy 28:1-14 . Some codices, with three early printed editions, Septuagint, and Vulgate, read "heart".

Verse 59

at all times. Hebrew the matter of a day in its day: i.e. day by day.

Verse 60

may know. Compare Deuteronomy 4:39 .

is = he [is].

Verse 61

perfect with = loyal: i.e. not divided between Jehovah and other gods; hence wholly devoted to. Not heeded by Solomon himself. Compare 1Ki 9:6 ; 1 Kings 11:4 .

Verse 62

offered sacrifice. Hebrew sacrificed a sacrifice. Figure of speech Polyptoton ( App-6 ) = offered a great or abundant sacrifice. See App-43 . Jehovah accepted them by fire from heaven, as recorded in 2 Chronicles 7:1 . See note on Genesis 4:4 .

Verse 65

a feast = the feast: viz. the Feast of Tabernacles. See note on 1 Kings 8:2 .

seven days and seven days. Figure of speech Epizeuxis. App-6 . The first seven the Feast of Dedication; the second the Feast of Tabernacles.

Verse 66

for David: i.e. in the person of Solomon his son. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part). Compare 1 Kings 10:9 and 2 Chronicles 7:10 .