1 Kings 8:14

14 Then the king turned around to the entire community of Israel standing before him and gave this blessing:

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 prayed, “O LORD, you have said that you would live in a thick cloud of darkness.

13 Now I have built a glorious Temple for you, a place where you can live forever! ”

14 Then the king turned around to the entire community of Israel standing before him and gave this blessing:

15 “Praise the LORD, the God of Israel, who has kept the promise he made to my father, David. For he told my father,

16 ‘From the day I brought my people Israel out of Egypt, I have never chosen a city among any of the tribes of Israel as the place where a Temple should be built to honor my name. But I have chosen David to be king over my people Israel.’”