1 Kings 8:16-24

16 ‘Since the day I brought my people Israel out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city in any tribe of Israel to have a temple built so that my Name might be there, but I have chosen David to rule my people Israel.’

17 “My father David had it in his heart to build a temple for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel.

18 But the LORD said to my father David, ‘You did well to have it in your heart to build a temple for my Name.

19 Nevertheless, you are not the one to build the temple, but your son, your own flesh and blood—he is the one who will build the temple for my Name.’

20 “The LORD has kept the promise he made: I have succeeded David my father and now I sit on the throne of Israel, just as the LORD promised, and I have built the temple for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel.

21 I have provided a place there for the ark, in which is the covenant of the LORD that he made with our ancestors when he brought them out of Egypt.”

Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication

22 Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven

23 and said: “LORD, the God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below—you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way.

24 You have kept your promise to your servant David my father; with your mouth you have promised and with your hand you have fulfilled it—as it is today.

1 Kings 8:16-24 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 8

This chapter gives an account of the introduction of the ark into the temple, 1Ki 8:1-9 of the glory of the Lord filling it, 1Ki 8:10,11 of a speech Solomon made to the people concerning the building of the temple, and how he came to be engaged in it, 1Ki 8:12-21, of a prayer of his he put up on this occasion, requesting, that what supplications soever were made at any time, or on any account, by Israelites or strangers, might be accepted by the Lord, 1Ki 8:22-53, and of his blessing the people of Israel at the close of it, with some useful exhortations, 1Ki 8:54-61, and of the great number of sacrifices offered up by him, and the feast he made for the people, upon which he dismissed them, 1Ki 8:62-66.

Cross References

• 1. S Exodus 3:10
• 2. S Deuteronomy 12:5
• 3. S 1 Samuel 9:16; S 1 Samuel 16:1
• 4. 2Sa 7:4-6,8; Psalms 89:3-4
• 5. S 1 Samuel 10:7; Acts 7:46
• 6. 2 Samuel 7:27">2 Samuel 7:27; 1 Chronicles 22:7; Psalms 26:8; Psalms 132:5; 2 Samuel 7:2; 1 Chronicles 17:1
• 7. S 2 Samuel 7:5
• 8. S 2 Samuel 7:13; 1 Kings 5:3,5
• 9. S 2 Samuel 7:12
• 10. 1 Chronicles 28:6
• 11. S Exodus 9:29; Ezra 9:5
• 12. S Exodus 9:14; 1 Samuel 2:2; 2 Samuel 7:22
• 13. S Deuteronomy 7:9,12; Nehemiah 1:5; Nehemiah 9:32; Daniel 9:4