Paul Kretzmann Commentary - 1 Kings 8:12 - 8:21

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Paul Kretzmann Commentary - 1 Kings 8:12 - 8:21


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Solomon's Address

v. 12. Then spake Solomon,
evidently from the platform which he had prepared in the midst of the court, 2Ch_6:13, The Lord said that He would dwell in the thick darkness, Exo_19:9; Lev_16:2. The cloud which he beheld was to Solomon a sign that Jehovah had come down to dwell in the Temple.

v. 13. I have surely built Thee an house to dwell in, a settled place for Thee to abide in forever,
a firmly established Sanctuary, He had in mind the merciful relation of Jehovah to the true Israel as it would continue, according to the Messianic promises, throughout eternity.

v. 14. And the king,
who had uttered this exclamation with face turned toward the Sanctuary, turned his face about, and blessed all the congregation of Israel; (and all the congregation of Israel stood, out in the great court toward the east;)

v. 15. and he said, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which spake with His mouth unto David, my father, and hath with His hand fulfilled it, saying,
Cf 2Sa_7:5-13,

v. 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 an house that My name might be therein,
He had ordered only the Tabernacle to be built for His warship; but I chose David to be over My people Israel, under whom Israel entered into the full and quiet possession of the Promised Land.

v. 17. And it was in the heart of David, my father, to build an house for the name of the Lord God of Israel,
2Sa_7:2.

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

v. 19. Nevertheless, thou shalt not build the house, but thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house unto My name.
Cf 2Sa_7:4-16; 1Ch_22:6-11; 1Ch_28:2-7.

v. 20. And the Lord hath performed His word that He spake, and I am risen up in the room of David, my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the Lord promised, and have built an house for the name of the Lord God of Israel.
This explanation was given in such detail in order that the people might understand the situation exactly and appreciate the goodness and mercy of Jehovah.

v. 21. And I have set there a place for the ark wherein is the covenant of the Lord,
for the Ten Commandments on the two tables of stone represented the core, or nucleus, of the entire covenant between Jehovah and Israel, which He made with our fathers when he brought them out of the land of Egypt. "It is worthy of notice that at the beginning and the conclusion of the address the building of the Temple is placed in relation to the deliverance from Egypt. " (Lange. )