1 Kings 8 - Printer Friendly

What does 1 Kings 8 mean?

Chapter Commentary:

This is the beginning of one of Solomon's two psalms:

Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.
--Psalm 127:1

The psalm goes on to give wise words about caring for a family. It's a Psalm of Ascent, among those recited or sung while people climb the hill to the temple. First Kings 8 tells how Solomon dedicated the temple, surrounded by the "family" of Israel.

Solomon took twenty years to finish the "house" of the Lord (1 Kings 9:10). Now he prays that God will complete it with His presence. Solomon frames the temple as the fulfillment of God's promise to David (2 Samuel 7:13), comparing it to how God rescued Israel from Egypt and promised rest to Moses. Solomon asks God to be faithful to them, too, specifically when they repent of their sin at or toward the temple. Without God's response to Israel's prayer, the house is just a fancy building.

In 1 Kings 8:1–11 (2 Chronicles 5:2–14), on the third day of the Feast of Tabernacles, tribal elders from throughout Israel join Solomon. They are present as priests install the ark of the covenant under the great cherubim in the holy of holies. God fills the temple with a cloud of His glory so intense that the priests must leave.

In 1 Kings 8:12–21 (2 Chronicles 6:1–11), Solomon puts this moment into context. The temple exists because David wanted to build it. But God chose David's son, Solomon, to have that honor. The existence of the temple is proof of God's faithfulness, as strong as the tablets of the covenant that sit inside the ark and God's rescue of His people from Egypt.

In 1 Kings 8:22–30 (2 Chronicles 6:12–21), Solomon prays with two requests. The first is for the completion of God's promise to David: that his line will continue to be king if they follow God. The second is that God's "name," meaning His power, reputation, and authority, would dwell in the temple, responding to the prayers His people send to Him. This especially applies to their pleas for forgiveness.

First Kings 8:31–53 (2 Chronicles 6:22–39) lists specific ways people may pray to God: For justice in individual conflict. For rescue from attack due to corporate sin. For relief from drought due to corporate sin. For individual rescue from any kind of general hardship. That God would answer the prayers of foreigners who come to the temple to pray. For success in battles that God sends His people into. Finally, for mercy during the exile imposed for corporate sin. In all instances where the hardship is due to sin, Solomon includes that the person or people must repent and turn from their sin before they can expect God to hear them.

In 1 Kings 8:54–61, Solomon prays his benediction. He acknowledges God's faithfulness to the patriarchs and to Moses and Joshua. He prays that God would remain faithful to His people, even to help His people obey Him. And that He would enable the people to be a worldwide demonstration of God's power and faithfulness. And that the people would remain as dedicated to the Lord, Yahweh (Exodus 3:15) as they are on this day of dedication.

First Kings 8:62–66 (2 Chronicles 7:4–10) finishes the dedication. Solomon offers so many sacrifices that the priests need to use the inner courtyard, not just the altar. Then he throws a celebration for seven days.

In 1 Kings 9:1–9 (2 Chronicles 7:11–22 God will respond. He promises to honor the temple forever. But then God gives Solomon a warning. David's line will be king forever if they remain faithful to God. If not, He will remove the people from the land, and the house will be a disgrace. Sadly, Solomon doesn't listen (1 Kings 11:1–8).

In the mirror-like descriptions of Solomon's reign, called "chiasms," 1 Kings 8 holds two significant pieces. First, the overall chiasm of 1 Kings 1—11 reveals that the installation of the ark of the covenant in the temple is the apex of Solomon's kingship:

A. 1:1–53 - The kingdom is unified
B. 2: 1–46 - Adversaries are dispatched
C. 3:1–15 - Solomon receives wisdom
D. 3:16—4:34 - Examples of wisdom and blessing
E. 5:1—7:51 - The temple and royal buildings are built
F 8:1–11 - The ark of the Covenant is installed
E' 8:12—9:28 - The temple is dedicated
D' 10:1–29 - Examples of wisdom and blessing
C' 11:1–13 - Solomon exhibits foolishness
B' 11:14–25 - Adversaries arrive
A' 11:26–43 - The kingdom is divided

Second, the dedication ceremony reveals how the temple is related to the covenants God has given His people. In this chiasm, the greatest role of the temple is to fulfill God's promise to Abraham that His people will be a blessing to the world:

A. 8:1–11 - God's covenant and presence (Davidic)
B. 8:12–21 - The reason to worship (Davidic)
C. 8:22–30 - God's promises (Davidic)
D. 8:31–40 - Future covenant forgiveness (Mosaic)
E 8:41–43 - Blessings for foreigners (Abrahamic)
D' 8:44–53 - Future covenant forgiveness (Mosaic)
C' 8:54–61 - God's promises (Mosaic)
B' 8:62–66 - The act of worship (Mosaic)
A' 9:1–9 - God's covenant and presence (Davidic)

First Kings 8:1–11 (2 Chronicles 5:2–13) is the pinnacle of Solomon's reign. Within the mirrored "chiasm" of 1 Kings 1—11, the installation of the ark of the covenant within the new temple is the center and primary point. David started the initiative to build the temple and gathered supplies, but God chose Solomon to complete the construction (1 Chronicles 28:2–6). The priests carry the ark past the elders, across the courtyard, into the temple, and behind the veil into the holy of holies. God fills the temple with His glory, and Solomon inspires the people to trust in God's faithfulness.

First Kings 8:12–21 is Solomon's explanation of why God allowed him to build the temple (2 Chronicles 6:1–11). God promised to name a place for His presence with His people, but He started with a person: David. God chose David to lead His chosen people. David wanted the temple. God honored David's request by choosing one of his sons to take the throne and build the temple (2 Samuel 7:12–13). Solomon prays that Yahweh (Exodus 3:15) will always be present in His temple, among His people, and that He'll answer His people's cries for mercy and forgiveness (1 Kings 8:22–30).

First Kings 8:22–26 records that Solomon asks God to fulfill the second part of His promise to David (2 Chronicles 6:12–21). Solomon begins by affirming the first part is complete: David's son sits on the throne and builds the temple (2 Samuel 7:13; 1 Kings 8:22–24). One part remains: that David's line will continue to be king of God's people (2 Samuel 7:14–16; 1 Kings 8:25–26). Sadly, many of the kings in David's line, including Solomon, will choose to rebel against God, and God will pause their rule (2 Kings 25). In the end, Jesus will return and fulfill God's promise (Luke 1:31–33).

In 1 Kings 8:27–30, Solomon admits that the temple isn't enough. It took seven years to build and another thirteen years to furnish. It's glorious. But no dwelling made by human hands can hold the Creator of the universe. God's glory has already driven out the priests (1 Kings 8:10–11). Even so, it's Solomon's hope that God will set His presence and attention within the temple so that whoever sins, Israelite or foreigner, can confess toward the temple and receive God's grace and blessing (1 Kings 8:31–53).

First Kings 8:31–40 parallels 2 Chronicles 6:22–31. Solomon asks God to forgive Israel. The temple is complete. The ark of the covenant, where God's presence dwells with His people, is reunited with the altar, where the people offer sacrifices for the atonement of their sins. Solomon anticipates that the nation will sin and God will judge them. Solomon prays that God will accept the people's repentance and restore them. He continues the theme in 1 Kings 8:44–53, but in the middle of the prayer he asks that if a foreigner prays toward the temple Yahweh (Exodus 3:15), Yahweh would hear and bless (1 Kings 8:41–43).

First Kings 8:44–53 continues Solomon's petition on behalf of Israel (2 Chronicles 6:34–39). He's prayed that God would restore His repentant people who are in judgment of war, drought, famine, or plague (1 Kings 8:33–40). Now, he prays for two extremes: war that God has commissioned Israel to fight and win, and war that leads to exile from the land God gave Israel as an inheritance. Ironically, during the Israelites' greatest exiles, the Babylonian exile and the Diaspora, there will be no temple towards which to pray.

First Kings 8:54–61 is a benediction from Solomon. He has prayed that God would make His presence evident in the temple and that He would answer Israelites and Gentiles who pray toward the temple (1 Kings 8:22–53). In his final prayer, Solomon contextualizes the dedication within the Mosaic Covenant. He prays that the people will obey God and that God will continue to bless them with favor and rest. The final part of the dedication is a massive sacrifice and a seven-day celebration (1 Kings 8:62–66). Solomon's benediction isn't recorded in 2 Chronicles.

First Kings 8:62–66 (2 Chronicles 7:4–10) records the week-long celebration of the temple's dedication. Solomon has prayed, asking God to remain with His people and forgive them when they repent. In appreciation for God's favor, they offer so many animals that the temple courtyard doubles as an altar. The people feast for seven days before going home. The dedication done, God reappears to Solomon. He promises to dwell in the temple and make Solomon's line great, but only if he continues to obey his God (1 Kings 9:1–9).

Chapter Summary:

First Kings 8 begins describing Solomon's dedication of the temple (2 Chronicles 5:2—7:10). With the long construction work completed, Solomon and the people watch the priests move the ark of the covenant to its permanent spot in the inner sanctuary. Solomon blesses God for keeping His promise that David's son would build the temple. He then asks God to hear the cries of His people for forgiveness and mercy in the generations to come. The people offer thousands of animal sacrifices and joyfully feast together. God accepts Solomon's prayer but warns the king to remain faithful (1 Kings 9:1–9).

Chapter Context:

First Kings 8 (2 Chronicles 5:2—7:10) marks the fulfillment of David and Solomon's efforts to build the temple. God promised David that his son would make a permanent home for the ark of the covenant (2 Samuel 7:10–13). Now, Solomon dedicates the temple, asking God to make it known as the place where He hears and answers the prayers of Israelites and foreigners. God agrees, but with a warning. The rest of the Davidic Covenant depends on Solomon's own faithfulness (2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Kings 9:1–9). Sadly, Solomon doesn't follow through (1 Kings 11:1–8).

This was originally the first half of a combined text. First Kings records the end of David's reign and the rule of Solomon. After this, the kingdom is split in two. The northern nation of Israel no longer submits to the king of the southern nation, called Judah. The prophet Elijah first appears in this book. The kings mostly fail to honor the Lord. They participate in idolatry and other sins. This will eventually result in their conquest and exile, as depicted throughout the books of Chronicles.

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