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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comKeil and Delitzsch Commentary - 1 Kings 6:11 - 6:11
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Promise of God during the Building of the Temple. - In what way this promise was communicated to Solomon is not more precisely stated. But the expression “And the word of Jehovah came” seems to point to a prophetic medium. And this is in harmony with 1Ki 9:2, according to which Jehovah only revealed Himself to Solomon twice by an actual appearance.
1Ki 6:12-13
וגו הַבַּיִת is placed at the head absolutely: “As for the house which thou art building (בֹּנֶה, a participle), if thou walkest in my statutes, ... I will set up my word, which I spake to thy father David.” The reference is to the promise in 2Sa 7:12. of the everlasting establishment of this throne. God would fulfil this for Solomon if he would walk in the commandments of the Lord, as his father had already urged upon him when he handed over the kingdom (1Ki 2:3). The promise in 1Ki 6:13, “I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel,” does not contain a second promise added to the one given in 2Sa 7:12., but simply a special application of it to the building of the temple which had already been commenced. The eternal establishment of the throne of David involved the dwelling of God among His people, or rather is founded upon it. This dwelling of God is now to receive a new and lasting realization. The temple is to be a pledge that the Lord will maintain for His people His covenant of grace and His gracious presence. In this respect the promised, “I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel, and not forsake my people Israel,” is a confirmation of the word which Jehovah had spoken to David, although, so far as the actual words are concerned, it is more closely connected with Lev 26:11, when the highest blessing attendant upon the faithful observance of the commandments of God is summed up in the promise, “I will make my abode among you, and my soul will not despise you.”