1 Kings 9:3

_AND THE LORD SAID UNTO HIM, I HAVE HEARD THY PRAYER AND THY SUPPLICATION, THAT THOU HAST MADE BEFORE ME: I HAVE HALLOWED THIS HOUSE, WHICH THOU HAST BUILT, TO PUT MY NAME THERE FOR EVER; AND MINE EYES AND MINE HEART SHALL BE THERE PERPETUALLY._ No JFB commentary on these verses....

1-9 God warned Solomon, now he had newly built and dedicated the temple, that he and his people might not be high-minded, but fear. After all the services we can perform, we stand upon the same terms with the Lord as before. Nothing can purchase for us liberty to sin, nor would the true believer desire such a licence. He would rather be chastened of the Lord, than be allowed to go on with ease and prosperity in sin....

The answer given by God to Solomon’s prayer is reported more fully in 2 Chronicles 7:12. When God puts His Name in the temple He does it, in intention, “forever.” He will not arbitrarily withdraw it; there it will remain “forever,” so far as God is concerned. But the people may by unfaithfulness drive it away 1 Kings 9:7. AND MINE EYES AND MY HEART - An answer in excess of the prayer 1 Kings 8:29; “Not Mine eyes only, but Mine eyes and Mine heart.”...

EXPOSITION THE ANSWER TO SOLOMON'S PRAYER.—This chapter opens with an account of God's second appearance to Solomon. It must not be supposed, however, from the apparent close connexion of this relation with the preceding narrative, that it stands to it in equally close chronological order. It probably finds a place here because the historian has grouped together all the suitable materials in his possession which related to the temple. But see on 1 Kings 9:1. 1 KINGS 9:1 AND IT CAME TO PASS WHEN SOLOMON HAD FINISHED THE BUILDING OF THE HOUSE OF THE LORD, AND THE KING'S HOUSE [1 Kings 7:1],

AND THE LORD SAID UNTO HIM, I HAVE HEARD THY PRAYER AND THY SUPPLICATION THAT THOU HAST MADE BEFORE ME,.... With delight and pleasure, and had accepted it; meaning the prayer recorded in the preceding chapter: I HAVE HALLOWED THIS HOUSE WHICH THOU HAST BUILT; by the cloud of glory filling it, and by fire descending from heaven, and consuming the sacrifices offered in it, 2 Chronicles 7:1 TO PUT MY NAME THERE FOR EVER; there to grant his presence, so long as his pure worship should be continued in it; so the Targum adds, "and my Shechinah or divine Majesty shall abide in it, if my will is done there continually:'' AND MINE EYES AND MINE HEART SHALL BE THERE PERPETUALLY; his eyes of Providence should be upon it, to watch over it, and protect it, and his worshippers in it; and he should have a cordial regard to the s

5. JEHOVAH APPEARS UNTO SOLOMON AND THE GREATNESS OF THE KING CHAPTER 9 _ 1. The second appearance of the LORD to Solomon (1 Kings 9:1)_ 2. Transactions with Hiram (1 Kings 9:10) 3. The levy of the king (1 Kings 9:15) 4. Pharaoh's daughter occupies the house (1 Kings 9:24) 5. The king's offerings (1 Kings 9:25) 6. Solomon's navy (1 Kings 9:26) Jehovah's righteous government in the midst of His people Israel had

The first few verses are a continuation of 1 Kings 8, and are likewise cast in a thoroughly Deuteronomic mould. Yahweh again appeared to the king and assured him of His protection. In 1 Kings 9:6 there is a sudden change from the singular thou and thee to the plural ye, as if Yahweh were addressing Israel, threatening, in case of disobedience, to destroy the Temple and make its ruins a warning of the punishment He inflicts on those who do not obey His laws. Thus the section about the Temple closes, and the rest of the chapter, devoted to the reign of Solomon, takes up the account in 1 Kings 9:5, and deals with his public work, his splendour, his sin, and the adversaries whom Yahweh raised up against him....

MINE EYES. MINE HEART. Figure of speech _Anthropopatheia_....

_I have heard thy prayer_ This could not have been the form of God's message, if thirteen years had passed away since the dedication. God's way is rather that spoken of by Isaiah 65:24 -While they are yet speaking I will hear." The LXX. adds after the first clause of this verse -I have done for thee according to all thy prayer." _to put my name there for ever_ The place which God had chosen was now made known; and God's purposes change not. _mine eyes and mine heart shall be there_ As in the former vision at Gibeon, God had given more than Solomon asked, so it is here. The prayer was that God's eyes might be open toward the house, the promise is that His heart shall be there perpetually. This verse is largely expanded in 2 Chronicles 7:12 seqq. thus: -I have heard thy pra

THAT THE LORD APPEARED TO SOLOMON— Lest this young prince's heart should be too much elated by this extraordinary grandeur, God was pleased to appear to himin a dream on the first night of the dedication, when he expressed his acceptance of that sumptuous edifice, and renewed his promises to him and his posterity, provided he and they served him with an upright heart. On the other hand, he assured him, that in case they provoked him by their idolatry and disobedience, that glorious building, which was now the wonder of the world, should infallibly become a desolation, a dwelling for owls and bats, and a proverb of reproach among all nations. See Univ. Hist. REFLECTIONS.—1. God declares his acceptance of Solomon's prayer, and promises to answer it. As he had manifested his presence in his temple, his eye and heart shall be always upon it, and his ear attentive to the prayers of all who co...