1 Kings 8:11-21

11 so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.

12 Then spoke Solomon: "The LORD said that He would dwell in the thick darkness.

13 I have surely built Thee a house to dwell in, a settled place for Thee to abide in for ever."

14 And the king turned his face about and blessed all the congregation of Israel, and all the congregation of Israel were standing.

15 And he said, "Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who spoke with His mouth unto David my father, and hath with His hand fulfilled it, saying,

16 `Since the day that I brought forth My people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build a house, that My name might be therein; but I chose David to be over My people Israel.'

17 And it was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.

18 And the LORD said unto David my father, `Whereas it was in thine heart to build a house unto My name, thou didst well that it was in thine heart.

19 Nevertheless thou shalt not build the house; but thy son who shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house unto My name.'

20 And the LORD hath performed His word that He spoke; and I have risen up in the place of David my father and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built a house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.

21 And I have set there a place for the ark, wherein is the covenant of the LORD which He made with our fathers when He brought them out of the land of Egypt."

1 Kings 8:11-21 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.