1 Kings 8:22

_AND SOLOMON STOOD BEFORE THE ALTAR OF THE LORD IN THE PRESENCE OF ALL THE CONGREGATION OF ISRAEL, AND SPREAD FORTH HIS HANDS TOWARD HEAVEN:_ Solomon stood before the altar - i:e., east of the altar. This position was, at the dedication-not on the king's canopied throne, by a pillar at the entrance of the inner court (2 Kings 11:14; 33:2), but in the outer court, or court of the people-on a brasen scaffold erected for the occasion (2 Chronicles 6:13: cf. Josephus, 'Antiquities,' b. viii., ch. 4:, sec. 2), fronting the altar of burnt offering, and surrounded by a mighty concourse of people. The altar was probably that which had been erected by David (2 Samuel 24:25); because there is

22-53 In this excellent prayer, Solomon does as we should do in every prayer; he gives glory to God. Fresh experiences of the truth of God's promises call for larger praises. He sues for grace and favour from God. The experiences we have of God's performing his promises, should encourage us to depend upon them, and to plead them with him; and those who expect further mercies, must be thankful for former mercies. God's promises must be the guide of our desires, and the ground of our hopes and expectations in prayer. The sacrifices, the incense, and the whole service of the temple, were all typical of the Redeemer's offices, oblation, and intercession. The temple, therefore, was continually to be remembered. Under one word, "forgive," Solomon expressed all that he could ask in behalf of his people. For, as all misery springs from sin, forgiveness of sin prepares the way for the removal of...

Verse 1 Kings 8:22. _STOOD_] He ascended the _brazen scaffold_, five cubits long, and five cubits broad, and three cubits high, and then _kneeled down upon his knees_, with his hands spread up to heaven, and offered up the following prayer: see 1 Kings 8:54, and 2 Chronicles 5:12. _AND SPREAD FORTH HIS HANDS TOWARD HEAVEN_] This was a usual custom in all nations: in prayer the _hands were stretched out to_ _heaven_, as if to invite and receive assistance from thence; while, humbly _kneeling_ on their knees, they seemed acknowledge at once their _dependence_ and _unworthiness_. On this subject I have spoken elsewhere. In the Scriptures we meet w

The margin reference shows that the king was so placed as to be seen by all present, and that, before beginning his prayer, he knelt down upon his knees (compare 1 Kings 8:54)....

EXPOSITION THE DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLE.—The stately and impressive service with which the Temple, the character and contents of which have now been described, was dedicated, is related in this chapter, and divides itself into four sections. We have (1) the removal of the ark and Solomon's ascription of praise on the occasion (1 Kings 8:1). (2) The prayer of consecration (1 Kings 8:23-11). (3) The benediction of the congregation (1 Kings 8:55-11), and (4) the festal sacrifices which followed on and completed the dedication ...

AND SOLOMON STOOD BEFORE THE ALTAR OF THE LORD,.... The altar of the burnt offering in the court of the priests, where he prayed the following prayer; and which altar was typical of Christ, who is always to be in sight in prayer, and through whom all sacrifices of prayer and praise become acceptable to God. In 2 Chronicles 6:13 he is said to stand upon a scaffold of brass, five cubits long, five broad, and three high, which stood in the midst of the court; it was a sort of a pulpit, round, as a laver, for which the word is sometimes used, and on which he kneeled: IN THE PRESENCE OF ALL THE CONGREGATION OF ISRAEL; who stood in the great court before him, called the court of Israel: AND SPREAD FORTH HIS HANDS TOWARD HEAVEN; and hence it appears, that though Solomon stood before the altar, he did not lay hold on it with his hands, as the Heathens

CHAPTER 8THE DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLE _ 1. The great assembly (1 Kings 8:1)_ 2. The transportation of the ark (1 Kings 8:3) 3. The glory of the LORD filling the house (1 Kings 8:10) 4. Solomon's opening words (1 Kings 8:12) 5. Solomon's great prayer (1 Kings 8:22) 6. Solomon's benediction (1 Kings 8:54) 7. The sacrifices and the feast ...

SOLOMON'S DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLE, PRAYER AND ADDRESS. This chapter is mainly Deuteronomic, being clearly written from the standpoint of one who has seen the Temple as the one national sanctuary of Israel, and has either witnessed its downfall or perceived that it was imminent. 1 Kings 8:1 is, however, probably from the early record of how the house of Yahweh was dedicated by Solomon, of which 1 Kings 8:62 is the continuation, the prayer of Solomon being Deuteronomic. In 1 Kings 8:12 f. we may have preserved an authentic poetic utterance of Solomon himself in the words of the dedication of the Temple. As they are given in the LXX they read as follows: Yahweh set the sun in heaven,...

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....

Solomon's prayer (2 Chronicles 6:12-42) 22. _And Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord_ This was the altar of burnt offerings which stood in the Temple court. In 2 Chronicles 6:13 we have an explanation which is omitted here, "For Solomon had made a brazen 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 before all the congregation of Israel." (See note on 1 Kings 8:54.) Josephus gives as the opening of this prayer a passage utterly foreign to the character of Solomon's words. "It is not possible for men by what they do to give God thanks for the benefits they have rece