1 Kings 8

1 Kings 8:1

OF the Fathers] see Exodus 6:19. Numbers 1:2 [Out of the City] where the Arke had been set for a while upon Mount-Sion, 2 Samuel 6:12. and from thence it was by Salomon brought to mount Moriah where the Temple was built, 2 Chronicles 3:1.

1 Kings 8:2

All the men] besides the meeting of the chief, there was also the concourse of all the people by reason of the Feast of the Tabernacles, accrding to the Law, Exod. 23. 17. and 34. 23.[Ethanim] which was the Moon of September in which that Feast ell, Leviticus 23:34. which is here understood. v. 65.

1 Kings 8:3

Took up] see upon Numbers 4:15.

1 Kings 8:4

And the Tabernacle] Moses his Tabernacle, which first was in Gibeon, 2 Chron. 1. 3. 4. And it is not here set down, whether it was taken in pieces or no, or where it was set up.

1 Kings 8:5

With him] imitating David, 2 Samuel 6:13.

1 Kings 8:6

Into the Oracle] namely, into the Sanctuary called the Oracle, Exod. 25. 18. 1 King. 6. 5 [of the Cherubins] of those two great ones, which Salo 〈◊〉 had made, 1 Kings. 6. 23. 24.

1 Kings 8:8

Drew out] to shew that the Arke should be no more removed, as it had been heretofore, but that the Lord did purpose to make his firme residence in the Temple, and from thence spread his power every way for the safetie of his people [the ends] the Italian hath it the beads, the staves being thus drawn out, lay upon the ground in the fore-part of the Sanctuary, so that going in through the holy place, into the most holy, one might see the foure ends or heads of them: [and they were not] from that day the Arke was not removed from this its place.

1 Kings 8:9

Nothing] see upon Hebrews 9:4.

1 Kings 8:10

The cloud] the Italian a cloud, a sign of Gods glorious presence, like unto that of the wildernesse, and of the Tabernacle, see Exodus 40:34.

1 Kings 8:11

Could not stand] see upon Exodus 40:1-38; Exodus 35:1-35.

1 Kings 8:12

The Lord] I doe take this thick cloud for a certain sign that God will be here present in grace and power; because he hath alwayes used this sign, as in the Desart Exodus 13:21. when he gave the Law, Exodus 20:21. Deut. 4. 11. & 5. 22. when the Tabernacle was set up, Exodus 40:35. Numbers 9:15. and when he did particularly appear upon the Arke, Leviticus 16:2. see Psal. 18. 12. & 97. 2.

1 Kings 8:16

My name] the sacred signs of my presence, I my selfe made manifest and known in this place, as it were, by mine own proper name. My Majesty and glory in effects of grace and power.

1 Kings 8:21

The covenant] the tables of the Law, upon which Gods covenant was made, see Exodus 34:28.

1 Kings 8:22

Stood] the Italian, presented himselfe, kneeled upon a seaffold or pillar which he had caused to be set up in the peoples court, 2 Chronicles 6:13. looking through the doore of the said Court streight towards the Altar of burnt offerings, which was in the Priests Court: [spread forth] an ancient gesture in praying, with stretched out aimes, and hands spread sorth turned up toward heaven.

1 Kings 8:27

But will] words of admiration: [of heavens] the highest and supreamest heaven, see Deuteronomy 10:14.

1 Kings 8:28

Yet] though thou beest infinite in thine own nature, and beest not contained within any place: I pray thee shew thy selfe present in grace and power within this Temple, in giving eare to mine and the peoples prayers which shall bee presented unto thee, and let us feele the effects thereof.

1 Kings 8:29

Towards] the Italian addeth turning towards, for either neere or farre off the people when they prayed, did alwayes turn their faces towards the place of the Sanctuarie, see Daniel 6:10.

1 Kings 8:31

Von him] in open and publike judgement, Exodus 22:1-31 [come] hence it appears that solemn oathes were taken in the Temple before the Altar, see Numbers 5:19.

1 Kings 8:33

Confesse] the Italian, giveth glory, by a sincere confession of their sinnes with an acknowledgment, and adoration of thy justice, and beleef in thy merey, see Ios. 7. 19.

1 Kings 8:36

teach them] as well the knowledge, as the practice, through thy corrections.

1 Kings 8:37

Plague] all diseases, and sicknesses which proceed immediately from superior causes, or from God, are so called in scripture.

1 Kings 8:38

The plague] namely their sin, whereby they shall have wounded their conscience and whereby through thy punishments they shall be induced to seek remedy at thy hands, through thy grace.

1 Kings 8:39

According to] not according to his former sinnes, but according to his present repentance or impenitency.

1 Kings 8:41

Thy names sake] to worship, and serve thee; Or because he hath obtained the knowledge of thee.

1 Kings 8:43

Is called] that the name which it beareth, of thy Temple, is not vaine, but accompanied with reall and admirable effects.

1 Kings 8:44

Thou hast] this is said to shew a lawfull warre, undertaken by Gods command, or according to common right, whereby it must be undertaken by a necessary justice, and a just necessity.

1 Kings 8:47

Bethink themselves] Heb. bring back the thing to their heart, that is to say, think seriously upon the true causes, and remedies of their evills; [committed wickednesse] or we have been wicked, and guilty.

1 Kings 8:49

Maintaine their cause] against the unjust invasion and oppression of their enemies, whom thou hast made use of to afflict thy people: though they did nothing regard thee, Isay 10. 5, 6. and 47. 6 Zechariah 1:15.

1 Kings 8:51

Thine inheritance] thine own peculiar people, Deuteronomy 5:20.

1 Kings 8:59

Be nigh] have thou them still in remembrance.

1 Kings 8:63

Dedicated] by solemn actions of prayers, sacrifices and devotions, began to settle it unto its proper sacred use, see upon Numbers 7:10.

1 Kings 8:64

The King] because the Altar could not serve for such a great number of sacrifices, hee employed the whole Priests Court to that use, being divinely inspired so to doe.

1 Kings 8:65

Held a feast] for seven dayes together, the dedication was celebrated, and for the other seven dayes following was the feast of the Tabernacles, as may be gathered by 2 Chro. 7. 5. 9 [the entring] being the confines of the length of Palestine, Numb. 34. 5. 8.

1 Kings 8:66

The eighth day] on the end of the last day, of the feast of the Tabernacles, see 2 Chronicles 7:9 Exodus 23:15 [for David] his house, and his successor.