1 Kings 8:14

14 The king turned around and blessed the entire congregation of Israel while they were 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 said that He would dwell in thick darkness,

13 but I have indeed built an exalted temple for You, a place for Your dwelling forever.

14 The king turned around and blessed the entire congregation of Israel while they were standing.

15 He said: May the Lord God of Israel be praised! He spoke directly to my father David, and He has fulfilled [the promise] by His power. He said,

16 "Since the day I brought My people Israel out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city to build a temple in among any of the tribes of Israel, so that My name would be there. But I have chosen David to rule My people Israel."