1 Kings 8:14

14 Then the king faced * about and ¹blessed all the assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel was standing.

1 Kings 8:14 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 8:14

And the king turned his face about
He was before the altar, ( 1 Kings 8:22 ) , with his face to that first, and looking towards the holy and the most holy place, filled with the cloud and glory; and now he turned himself and stood with the altar behind him, and looking to the court of the people:

and blessed all the congregation of Israel;
either blessed the Lord before them, or prayed for blessings for them, or congratulated them upon the Lord's taking up his residence in the temple, which was so great an honour and favour to them:

and all the congregation of Israel stood:
ready to receive the king's blessing, and in honour of him, and reverence to the divine Being. The Jews say, none might sit in the court but the kings of the house of David.

1 Kings 8:14 In-Context

12 Then Solomon said, "The LORD has said that He would dwell in the thick cloud.

13 "I have surely built You a lofty house, A place for Your dwelling forever."

14 Then the king faced about and blessed all the assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel was standing.

15 He said, "Blessed be the LORD , the God of Israel, who spoke with His mouth to my father David and has fulfilled it with His hand, saying,

16 'Since the day that I brought My people Israel from Egypt, I did not choose a city out of all the tribes of Israel in which to build a house that My name might be there, but I chose David to be over My people Israel.'

Cross References

• 1. 2 Samuel 6:18; 1 Kings 8:55

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "turned his face about"