2 And all the men H376 of Israel H3478 assembled H6950 themselves unto king H4428 Solomon H8010 at the feast H2282 in the month H3391 Ethanim, H388 which is the seventh H7637 month. H2320
Also at the same time H6256 Solomon H8010 kept H6213 the feast H2282 seven H7651 days, H3117 and all Israel H3478 with him, a very H3966 great H1419 congregation, H6951 from the entering in H935 of Hamath H2574 unto the river H5158 of Egypt. H4714 And in the eighth H8066 day H3117 they made H6213 a solemn assembly: H6116 for they kept H6213 the dedication H2598 of the altar H4196 seven H7651 days, H3117 and the feast H2282 seven H7651 days. H3117 And on the three H7969 and twentieth H6242 day H3117 of the seventh H7637 month H2320 he sent H7971 the people H5971 away H7971 into their tents, H168 glad H8056 and merry H2896 in heart H3820 for the goodness H2896 that the LORD H3068 had shewed H6213 unto David, H1732 and to Solomon, H8010 and to Israel H3478 his people. H5971
And on the fifteenth H2568 H6240 day H3117 of the seventh H7637 month H2320 ye shall have an holy H6944 convocation; H4744 ye shall do H6213 no servile H5656 work, H4399 and ye shall keep H2287 a feast H2282 unto the LORD H3068 seven H7651 days: H3117 And ye shall offer H7126 a burnt offering, H5930 a sacrifice made by fire, H801 of a sweet H5207 savour H7381 unto the LORD; H3068 thirteen H7969 H6240 young H1241 H1121 bullocks, H6499 two H8147 rams, H352 and fourteen H702 H6240 lambs H3532 of the first H1121 year; H8141 they shall be without blemish: H8549 And their meat offering H4503 shall be of flour H5560 mingled H1101 with oil, H8081 three H7969 tenth deals H6241 unto every H259 bullock H6499 of the thirteen H7969 H6240 bullocks, H6499 two H8147 tenth deals H6241 to each H259 ram H352 of the two H8147 rams, H352 And a several tenth deal H6241 to each H259 lamb H3532 of the fourteen H702 H6240 lambs: H3532 And one H259 kid H8163 of the goats H5795 for a sin offering; H2403 beside the continual H8548 burnt offering, H5930 his meat offering, H4503 and his drink offering. H5262 And on the second H8145 day H3117 ye shall offer twelve H8147 H6240 young H1121 H1241 bullocks, H6499 two H8147 rams, H352 fourteen H702 H6240 lambs H3532 of the first H1121 year H8141 without spot: H8549 And their meat offering H4503 and their drink offerings H5262 for the bullocks, H6499 for the rams, H352 and for the lambs, H3532 shall be according to their number, H4557 after the manner: H4941 And one H259 kid H8163 of the goats H5795 for a sin offering; H2403 beside the continual H8548 burnt offering, H5930 and the meat offering H4503 thereof, and their drink offerings. H5262 And on the third H7992 day H3117 eleven H6249 H6240 bullocks, H6499 two H8147 rams, H352 fourteen H702 H6240 lambs H3532 of the first H1121 year H8141 without blemish; H8549 And their meat offering H4503 and their drink offerings H5262 for the bullocks, H6499 for the rams, H352 and for the lambs, H3532 shall be according to their number, H4557 after the manner: H4941 And one H259 goat H8163 for a sin offering; H2403 beside the continual H8548 burnt offering, H5930 and his meat offering, H4503 and his drink offering. H5262 And on the fourth H7243 day H3117 ten H6235 bullocks, H6499 two H8147 rams, H352 and fourteen H702 H6240 lambs H3532 of the first H1121 year H8141 without blemish: H8549 Their meat offering H4503 and their drink offerings H5262 for the bullocks, H6499 for the rams, H352 and for the lambs, H3532 shall be according to their number, H4557 after the manner: H4941 And one H259 kid H8163 of the goats H5795 for a sin offering; H2403 beside the continual H8548 burnt offering, H5930 his meat offering, H4503 and his drink offering. H5262 And on the fifth H2549 day H3117 nine H8672 bullocks, H6499 two H8147 rams, H352 and fourteen H702 H6240 lambs H3532 of the first H1121 year H8141 without spot: H8549 And their meat offering H4503 and their drink offerings H5262 for the bullocks, H6499 for the rams, H352 and for the lambs, H3532 shall be according to their number, H4557 after the manner: H4941 And one H259 goat H8163 for a sin offering; H2403 beside the continual H8548 burnt offering, H5930 and his meat offering, H4503 and his drink offering. H5262 And on the sixth H8345 day H3117 eight H8083 bullocks, H6499 two H8147 rams, H352 and fourteen H702 H6240 lambs H3532 of the first H1121 year H8141 without blemish: H8549 And their meat offering H4503 and their drink offerings H5262 for the bullocks, H6499 for the rams, H352 and for the lambs, H3532 shall be according to their number, H4557 after the manner: H4941 And one H259 goat H8163 for a sin offering; H2403 beside the continual H8548 burnt offering, H5930 his meat offering, H4503 and his drink offering. H5262 And on the seventh H7637 day H3117 seven H7651 bullocks, H6499 two H8147 rams, H352 and fourteen H702 H6240 lambs H3532 of the first H1121 year H8141 without blemish: H8549 And their meat offering H4503 and their drink offerings H5262 for the bullocks, H6499 for the rams, H352 and for the lambs, H3532 shall be according to their number, H4557 after the manner: H4941 And one H259 goat H8163 for a sin offering; H2403 beside the continual H8548 burnt offering, H5930 his meat offering, H4503 and his drink offering. H5262 On the eighth H8066 day H3117 ye shall have a solemn assembly: H6116 ye shall do H6213 no servile H5656 work H4399 therein: But ye shall offer H7126 a burnt offering, H5930 a sacrifice made by fire, H801 of a sweet H5207 savour H7381 unto the LORD: H3068 one H259 bullock, H6499 one H259 ram, H352 seven H7651 lambs H3532 of the first H1121 year H8141 without blemish: H8549 Their meat offering H4503 and their drink offerings H5262 for the bullock, H6499 for the ram, H352 and for the lambs, H3532 shall be according to their number, H4557 after the manner: H4941 And one H259 goat H8163 for a sin offering; H2403 beside the continual H8548 burnt offering, H5930 and his meat offering, H4503 and his drink offering. H5262 These things ye shall do H6213 unto the LORD H3068 in your set feasts, H4150 beside your vows, H5088 and your freewill offerings, H5071 for your burnt offerings, H5930 and for your meat offerings, H4503 and for your drink offerings, H5262 and for your peace offerings. H8002 And Moses H4872 told H559 the children H1121 of Israel H3478 according to all that the LORD H3068 commanded H6680 Moses. H4872
And they found H4672 written H3789 in the law H8451 which the LORD H3068 had commanded H6680 by H3027 Moses, H4872 that the children H1121 of Israel H3478 should dwell H3427 in booths H5521 in the feast H2282 of the seventh H7637 month: H2320 And that they should publish H8085 and proclaim H5674 H6963 in all their cities, H5892 and in Jerusalem, H3389 saying, H559 Go forth H3318 unto the mount, H2022 and fetch H935 olive H2132 branches, H5929 and pine H8081 branches, H6086 H5929 and myrtle H1918 branches, H5929 and palm H8558 branches, H5929 and branches H5929 of thick H5687 trees, H6086 to make H6213 booths, H5521 as it is written. H3789 So the people H5971 went forth, H3318 and brought H935 them, and made H6213 themselves booths, H5521 every one H376 upon the roof of his house, H1406 and in their courts, H2691 and in the courts H2691 of the house H1004 of God, H430 and in the street H7339 of the water H4325 gate, H8179 and in the street H7339 of the gate H8179 of Ephraim. H669 And all the congregation H6951 of them that were come again H7725 out of the captivity H7628 made H6213 booths, H5521 and sat H3427 under the booths: H5521 for since the days H3117 of Jeshua H3442 the son H1121 of Nun H5126 unto that day H3117 had not the children H1121 of Israel H3478 done so. H6213 And there was very H3966 great H1419 gladness. H8057 Also day H3117 by day, H3117 from the first H7223 day H3117 unto the last H314 day, H3117 he read H7121 in the book H5612 of the law H8451 of God. H430 And they kept H6213 the feast H2282 seven H7651 days; H3117 and on the eighth H8066 day H3117 was a solemn assembly, H6116 according unto the manner. H4941
And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left H3498 of all the nations H1471 which came H935 against Jerusalem H3389 shall even go up H5927 from H1767 year H8141 to year H8141 to worship H7812 the King, H4428 the LORD H3068 of hosts, H6635 and to keep H2287 the feast H2282 of tabernacles. H5521 And it shall be, that whoso will not come up H5927 of all the families H4940 of the earth H776 unto Jerusalem H3389 to worship H7812 the King, H4428 the LORD H3068 of hosts, H6635 even upon them shall be no rain. H1653 And if the family H4940 of Egypt H4714 go not up, H5927 and come H935 not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, H4046 wherewith the LORD H3068 will smite H5062 the heathen H1471 that come not up H5927 to keep H2287 the feast H2282 of tabernacles. H5521 This shall be the punishment H2403 of Egypt, H4714 and the punishment H2403 of all nations H1471 that come not up H5927 to keep H2287 the feast H2282 of tabernacles. H5521
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on 1 Kings 8
Commentary on 1 Kings 8 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 8
1Ki 8:1-12. The Dedication of the Temple.
2-6. at the feast in the month Ethanim—The public and formal inauguration of this national place of worship did not take place till eleven months after the completion of the edifice. The delay, most probably, originated in Solomon's wish to choose the most fitting opportunity when there should be a general rendezvous of the people in Jerusalem (1Ki 8:2); and that was not till the next year. That was a jubilee year, and he resolved on commencing the solemn ceremonial a few days before the feast of tabernacles, which was the most appropriate of all seasons. That annual festival had been instituted in commemoration of the Israelites dwelling in booths during their stay in the wilderness, as well as of the tabernacle, which was then erected, in which God promised to meet and dwell with His people, sanctifying it with His glory. As the tabernacle was to be superseded by the temple, there was admirable propriety in choosing the feast of tabernacles as the period for dedicating the new place of worship, and praying that the same distinguished privileges might be continued to it in the manifestation of the divine presence and glory. At the time appointed for the inauguration, the king issued orders for all the heads and representatives of the nation to repair to Jerusalem and take part in the august procession [1Ki 8:1]. The lead was taken by the king and elders of the people, whose march must have been slow, as priests were stationed to offer an immense number of sacrifices at various points in the line of road through which the procession was to go. Then came the priests bearing the ark and the tabernacle—the old Mosaic tabernacle which was brought from Gibeon. Lastly, the Levites followed, carrying the vessels and ornaments belonging to the old, for lodgment in the new, house of the Lord. There was a slight deviation in this procedure from the order of march established in the wilderness (Nu 3:31; 4:15); but the spirit of the arrangement was duly observed. The ark was deposited in the oracle; that is, the most holy place, under the wings of the cherubim—not the Mosaic cherubim, which were firmly attached to the ark (Ex 37:7, 8), but those made by Solomon, which were far larger and more expanded.
8. they drew out the staves—a little way, so as to project (see on Ex 25:15; Nu 4:6); and they were left in that position. The object was, that these projecting staves might serve as a guide to the high priest, in conducting him to that place where, once a year, he went to officiate before the ark; otherwise he might miss his way in the dark, the ark being wholly overshadowed by the wings of the cherubim.
9. There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone—Nothing else was ever in the ark, the articles mentioned (Heb 9:4) being not in, but by it, being laid in the most holy place before the testimony (Ex 16:33; Nu 17:10).
10, 11. the cloud filled the house of the Lord—The cloud was the visible symbol of the divine presence, and its occupation of the sanctuary was a testimony of God's gracious acceptance of the temple as of the tabernacle (Ex 40:34). The dazzling brightness, or rather, perhaps, the dense portentous darkness of the cloud, struck the minds of the priests, as it formerly had done Moses, which such astonishment and terror (Le 16:2-13; De 4:24; Ex 40:35) that they could not remain. Thus the temple became the place where the divine glory was revealed, and the king of Israel established his royal residence.
1Ki 8:12-21. Solomon's Blessing.
12. Then spake Solomon—For the reassurance of the priests and people, the king reminded them that the cloud, instead of being a sign ominous of evil, was a token of approval.
The Lord said—not in express terms, but by a continuous course of action (Ex 13:21; 24:16; Nu 9:15).
13. I have surely built thee an house—This is an apostrophe to God, as perceiving His approach by the cloud, and welcoming Him to enter as guest or inhabitant of the fixed and permanent dwelling-place, which, at His command, had been prepared for His reception.
14. the king turned his face about—From the temple, where he had been watching the movement of the mystic cloud, and while the people were standing, partly as the attitude of devotion, partly out of respect to royalty, the king gave a fervent expression of praise to God for the fulfilment of His promise (2Sa 7:6-16).
1Ki 8:22-61. His Prayer.
22. Solomon stood before the altar—This position was in the court of the people, on a brazen scaffold erected for the occasion (2Ch 6:13), fronting the altar of burnt offering, and surrounded by a mighty concourse of people. Assuming the attitude of a suppliant, kneeling (1Ki 8:54; compare 2Ch 6:24) and with uplifted hands, he performed the solemn act of consecration—an act remarkable, among other circumstances, for this, that it was done, not by the high priest or any member of the Aaronic family, but by the king in person, who might minister about, though not in, holy things. This sublime prayer [1Ki 8:22-35], which breathes sentiments of the loftiest piety blended with the deepest humility, naturally bore a reference to the national blessing and curse contained in the law—and the burden of it—after an ascription of praise to the Lord for the bestowment of the former, was an earnest supplication for deliverance from the latter. He specifies seven cases in which the merciful interposition of God would be required; and he earnestly bespeaks it on the condition of people praying towards that holy place. The blessing addressed to the people at the close is substantially a brief recapitulation of the preceding prayer [1Ki 8:56-61].
1Ki 8:62-64. His Sacrifice of Peace Offering.
62. the king, and all Israel … offered sacrifice before the Lord—This was a burnt offering with its accompaniments, and being the first laid on the altar of the temple, was, as in the analogous case of the tabernacle, consumed by miraculous fire from heaven (see 2Ch 7:1). On remarkable occasions, the heathens sacrificed hecatombs (a hundred animals), and even chiliombs (a thousand animals), but the public sacrifices offered by Solomon on this occasion surpassed all the other oblations on record, without taking into account those presented by private individuals, which, doubtless, amounted to a large additional number. The large proportion of the sacrifices were peace offerings, which afforded the people an opportunity of festive enjoyment.
63. So the king and all the children of Israel dedicated the house of the Lord—The dedication was not a ceremony ordained by the law, but it was done in accordance with the sentiments of reverence naturally associated with edifices appropriated to divine worship. [See on 2Ch 7:5.]
64. The same day did the king hallow the middle of the court—that is, the whole extent of the priests' court—the altar of burnt offerings, though large (2Ch 4:1), being totally inadequate for the vast number of sacrifices that distinguished this occasion. It was only a temporary erection to meet the demands of an extraordinary season, in aid of the established altar, and removed at the conclusion of the sacred festival. [See on 2Ch 7:7.]
1Ki 8:65. The People Joyful.
65. from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt—that is, from one extremity of the kingdom to the other. The people flocked from all quarters.
seven days and seven days, even fourteen days—The first seven were occupied with the dedication, and the other seven devoted to the feast of tabernacles (2Ch 7:9). The particular form of expression indicates that the fourteen days were not continuous. Some interval occurred in consequence of the great day of atonement falling on the tenth of the seventh month (1Ki 8:2), and the last day of the feast of tabernacles was on the twenty-third (2Ch 7:10), when the people returned to their homes with feelings of the greatest joy and gratitude "for all the goodness that the Lord had done for David his servant, and for Israel his people."