“Then said Solomon, The LORD hath said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.”
Cloud: literally, “darkness.” (Haydock) — The promise had been made to Moses, Exodus xvi. 10., and xl. 32. (Calmet) — God thus manifested his presence. (Worthington)
“And he stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands:”
Hands. Such external gestures promote attention in prayer; and hence were much used by holy people, at all times. (Worthington)
“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”
Scaffold, (basim.) The Hebrew (kiyor) is used for “a shell, (concha.; Tirinus) or bowl,” as the throne was probably of the same form, and was placed on a square pedestal, at the higher end of the court of the people, (Calmet) which is here styled the temple, (basilicæ) or “hall,” chap. iv. 9. Septuagint aules. Hebrew chatsar, which denotes that great court where (Haydock) the body of the people stood bare-headed, before the Lord, (Grotius, &c.; chap. xx. 5.) in the open air. (Du Hamel) — We are assured that the king himself never sat in his tribune. (Calmet) — Others reserve that privilege to him alone. (Haydock) — While he addressed the people, he turned towards them.
“Have respect therefore to the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and the prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee:”
End. Temples are erected for the convenience of men. (Calmet) — Solomon hopes that God will reward his good intentions.
“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”
Altar; thus solemnly consenting to be punished by God, if he swear falsely. (Haydock) — This practice was not prescribed by the law, but took place when witnesses could not be procured, or when it was necessary to rely on the word of the accused.
“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”
Blasting, or mildew, (ærugo & aurugo.) The first has the colour of brass, the other of gold. Both have nearly the same import. (Menochius) — One of the terms is rendered, corrupt air; (3 Kings viii. 37.; Calmet) as this is one of the great causes why both plants and animals do not thrive. Septuagint, “corruption of the air and king’s evil, or yellow jaundice:” ikteros. (Haydock)
“Then what prayer or what supplication soever shall be made of any man, or of all thy people Israel, when every one shall know his own sore and his own grief, and shall spread forth his hands in this house: in: or, toward this house”
Any. Hebrew adds, “man, or thy people.” Septuagint, “and (that is) to thy.” See ver. 32. (Haydock) — Both strangers and Israelites may there sue for mercy, and obtain it. (Calmet) — From this chapter, as well as from many other passages, it is evident that places consecrated to God, are more acceptable to him than other places; (Worthington) and here the prayers of the faithful are sooner heard, as they testify their unity. (Du Hamel)
“That they may fear thee, to walk in thy ways, so long as they live in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers. so long: Heb. all the days which in the land: Heb. upon the face of the land”
Fear thee, being filled with awe at the sight of thy judgments. (Calmet)
“Then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for; that all people of the earth may know thy name, and fear thee, as doth thy people Israel, and may know that this house which I have built is called by thy name. this: Heb. thy name is called upon this house”
House, that they may know that this is not only called, but is, in effect, the temple of the Lord, where he will display his power and goodness. (Haydock)
“If they return to thee with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, whither they have carried them captives, and pray toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, and toward the city which thou hast chosen, and toward the house which I have built for thy name:”
Name. Hence arose the custom of turning towards Jerusalem and the temple, when the Jews poured forth their supplications, in any country, 3 Kings viii. 44.
“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.”
Now, therefore. This is taken from Psalm cxxxi. 8, 9, 10., (Menochius) almost word for word. We do not find that Solomon spoke this, 3 Kings. (Calmet) — Place: literally, “rest.” (Haydock) — Come, O Lord, and dwell here. — Strength, by which thy wonders shine forth, and thy enemies are dismayed. The ark is styled the strength of Israel, Psalm lxxvii. 61., and lxii. 3.; and in the parallel passage we read, Thou and the ark of thy sanctification, or sanctuary, which is its highest ornament, and which thou hast sanctified, or required to be treated with respect. — Salvation, or justice, (Psalm cxxxi.) which is the surest method of obtaining happiness.
“O LORD God, turn not away the face of thine anointed: remember the mercies of David thy servant.”
Anointed. Cover not with shame the king, whom thou hast appointed, (Haydock) nor reject my prayer. (Tirinus) — Mercies, which thou hast shewn, or rather (Calmet) the acts of virtue which thy servant displayed. (Syriac, &c.) For thy servant David’s sake, turn not away the face of thy anointed, Psalm cxxxi. In consideration of his merits, grant my request. (Calmet) — Even Solomon, though at this time the object of God’s complacency, disdains not to screen himself under the merits of the departed saints. (Haydock)