1 Kings 8:36

36 then hear from heaven and forgive the sins of your servants, your people Israel. Teach them to follow the right path, and send rain on your land that you have given to your people as their special possession.

1 Kings 8:36 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 8:36

Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy
servants, and of thy people Israel
By removing the judgment of drought upon them:

that thou teach them the good way wherein they should walk;
the way of worship and duty prescribed by the Lord which was good in itself, and good for them, good things being enjoyed by them that walk therein; and this the Lord sometimes teaches by afflictions, as well as by his word; but whenever he does it, it is by his Spirit, and then afflictions are blessings, ( Psalms 104:19 ) ( 2 Chronicles 6:27 ) where the same phrase is differently rendered:

and give rain upon the land which thou hast given to thy people for
an inheritance;
as he did at the prayer of Elijah, ( James 5:18 ) .

1 Kings 8:36 In-Context

34 then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your people Israel and return them to this land you gave their ancestors.

35 “If the skies are shut up and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you, and if they pray toward this Temple and acknowledge your name and turn from their sins because you have punished them,

36 then hear from heaven and forgive the sins of your servants, your people Israel. Teach them to follow the right path, and send rain on your land that you have given to your people as their special possession.

37 “If there is a famine in the land or a plague or crop disease or attacks of locusts or caterpillars, or if your people’s enemies are in the land besieging their towns—whatever disaster or disease there is—

38 and if your people Israel pray about their troubles, raising their hands toward this Temple,