1 Kings 8:35

35 If heaven is closed (When the heavens be closed up), and (it) raineth not for the sins of them, and they pray in this place, and do penance to thy name, and be converted, or altogether turned, from their sins for their torment,

1 Kings 8:35 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 8:35

When heaven is shut up
As it may be said to be when the air is quite serene, and not a cloud in it:

and there is no rain;
in its season, neither the former nor the latter, as it was in the times of Elijah:

because they have sinned against thee;
want of rain was threatened in case of sin, and was always the effect of it, ( Leviticus 26:19 Leviticus 26:20 ) ( Deuteronomy 28:23 Deuteronomy 28:24 ) ,

if they pray towards this place;
in any part of the country where they were; for it sometimes rained on one city, and not on another, ( Amos 4:7 )

and confess thy name;
own his power and his providence, and the justness of his dealings with them:

and turn from their sin, when thou afflictest them;
their affliction being made useful, to bring them to a sense of their sin, and to repentance for it, and reformation from it; or, "when thou hearest" or "answerest them" ^F7; so the Targum, receives their prayer; thus the goodness of God leads to repentance.

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FOOTNOTES:

F7 (Mnet yk) "cum exaudieris eos", Vatablus.

1 Kings 8:35 In-Context

33 If thy people Israel fleeth his enemies, for he shall do sin to thee (When thy people Israel fleeth their enemies, for they have sinned against thee), and they do penance, or repent their sin, and acknowledge to thy great name, and come, and worship, and beseech thee in this house,

34 (then) hear thou in heaven, and forgive thou the sin of thy people [Israel]; and thou shalt lead them again into the land, which thou hast given to the fathers of them.

35 If heaven is closed (When the heavens be closed up), and (it) raineth not for the sins of them, and they pray in this place, and do penance to thy name, and be converted, or altogether turned, from their sins for their torment,

36 (then) hear thou them in heaven, and forgive thou the sins of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, and show thou to them a good way, by which they shall go, and give thou rain to them upon the land, which thou hast given to them into possession (which thou hast given to them for a possession).

37 If hunger riseth in the land, either pestilence is, either corrupt air is (If famine riseth in the land, or pestilence, or corrupt air), either rust, either locust, either mildew, and if his enemy tormenteth him, and besiegeth the gates of him, and (bringeth in) all wound, all sickness,