“Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house.”
Hereby God declared that he was pleased with Solomon’s prayer.
“Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the LORD.”
Cross references: : 1 Kings 8:62 , 63
“Also at the same time Solomon kept the feast seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt.”
The feast of the Tabernacles which was kept in the seventh month.
“And in the eighth day they made a solemn assembly: for they kept the dedication of the altar seven days, and the feast seven days. a solemn: Heb. a restraint”
They assembled to hear the word of God, after that they had remained seven days in the booths or Tabernacles.
“And on the three and twentieth day of the seventh month he sent the people away into their tents, glad and merry in heart for the goodness that the LORD had shewed unto David, and to Solomon, and to Israel his people.”
They had leave to depart the two and twentieth day, 1 Kings 8:66 , but they went not away till the next day.
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. which: Heb. upon whom my name is called”
I will cause the pestilence to cease and destroy the beasts that hurt the fruits of the earth, and send rain in due season.
“Then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have sanctified for my name, will I cast out of my sight, and will make it to be a proverb and a byword among all nations.”
Which thing declareth that God had more respect to their salvation, than to the advancement of his own glory: and whereas men abuse those things which God hath appointed to set forth his praise, he doth withdraw his graces thence.