“Then said Solomon, The LORD hath said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.”
After that he had served the glory of the Lord in the cloud. Cross references: : 1 Kings 8:12
“But the LORD said to David my father, Forasmuch as it was in thine heart to build an house for my name, thou didst well in that it was in thine heart:”
Hebrew, that it was in thine heart .
“And in it have I put the ark, wherein is the covenant of the LORD, that he made with the children of Israel.”
Meaning, the two Tables, wherein is contained the effect of the covenant that God made with our fathers.
“And he stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands:”
On a scaffold that was made for that purpose, that he praying for the whole people might be heard of all, as 1 Kings 8:22 .
“For Solomon had made a brasen scaffold, of five cubits long, and five cubits broad, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court: and upon it he stood, and kneeled down upon his knees before all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven, long: Heb. the length thereof, etc”
Both to give thanks for the great benefits of God bestowed upon him, and also to pray for the perseverance and prosperity of his people.
“Thou which hast kept with thy servant David my father that which thou hast promised him; and spakest with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with thine hand, as it is this day.”
Or, in effect, or by thy power.
“Now therefore, O LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that which thou hast promised him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit upon the throne of Israel; yet so that thy children take heed to their way to walk in my law, as thou hast walked before me. There: Heb. There shall not a man be cut off”
Hebrew, a man shall not be cut off .
“That thine eyes may be open upon this house day and night, upon the place whereof thou hast said that thou wouldest put thy name there; to hearken unto the prayer which thy servant prayeth toward this place. toward: or, in this place”
That thou mayest declare in effect that thou hast a continual care over this place.
“If a man sin against his neighbour, and an oath be laid upon him to make him swear, and the oath come before thine altar in this house; and an oath: Heb. and he require an oath of him”
By retaining anything from him, or by denying that which he hath left him to keep, or do him any wrong. Hebrew, oath. 1 Kings 8:31
“Then hear thou from heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, by requiting the wicked, by recompensing his way upon his own head; and by justifying the righteous, by giving him according to his righteousness.”
Meaning, to give him that which he hath deserved.
“If there be dearth in the land, if there be pestilence, if there be blasting, or mildew, locusts, or caterpillers; if their enemies besiege them in the cities of their land; whatsoever sore or whatsoever sickness there be: in the cities: Heb. in the land of their gates”
Hebrew, in the land of their gates . 2 Chron. 20:9
“Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men:)”
He declareth that the prayers of hypocrites cannot be heard, nor of any but of them which pray unto God with an unfeigned faith and in true repentance.
“Moreover concerning the stranger, which is not of thy people Israel, but is come from a far country for thy great name's sake, and thy mighty hand, and thy stretched out arm; if they come and pray in this house;”
He showeth that before God there is no deception of person, but all people that feareth him and worketh righteousness, are accepted, Acts 10:35 .
“If thy people go out to war against their enemies by the way that thou shalt send them, and they pray unto thee toward this city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name;”
Meaning, that none ought to enterprise any war, but at the Lord’s commandment, that is, which is lawful by his word. Or, according to the manner of this city.
“Now therefore arise, O LORD God, into thy resting place, thou, and the ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness.”
That is, into thy Temple. Let them be preserved by thy power, and made virtuous and holy. Ps. 132:8
“O LORD God, turn not away the face of thine anointed: remember the mercies of David thy servant.”
Hear my prayer which am thine anointed king.