ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for 1 Kings 8

1 Kings 8:1–21 The ark of the covenant of God was the great symbol of the Lord’s presence with his people and the place where the tablets of the law were kept (Ex. 25:10–22; Deut. 10:1–5; Joshua 3–6). It had remained for some time in a tent sanctuary somewhere in the old city of David (2 Sam. 6:16–17; 7:2; 1 Kings 3:15). The temple was now ready to receive it.

1 Kings 8:2 The feast in . . . the seventh month is the Feast of Booths (see vv. 65–66; Lev. 23:33–43), during which the Israelites were to live in temporary shelters as a reminder of the exodus. It was observed in September/October.

1 Kings 8:3–4 the priests took up the ark. The ark had remained in a tent sanctuary somewhere in the old city of David (2 Sam. 6:16–17; 7:2; 1 Kings 3:15). Only priests could have taken it right into the inner sanctuary of the temple. Moving the ark, along with the tent of meeting (that is, the tabernacle), symbolized moving the “name” of the Lord to a more permanent dwelling (see 2 Sam. 7:6).

1 Kings 8:9 Though the ark had once contained the jar of manna and Aaron’s rod (Heb. 9:4; see Ex. 16:32–34; Num. 17:10–11), there was now nothing in the ark except the two tablets of stone on which were written the Ten Commandments.

1 Kings 8:10 A cloud was often associated with God’s appearing in the OT (e.g., Ex. 13:21–22; 16:10; 19:9). A cloud also covered the tabernacle upon its completion in Ex. 40:34–38.

1 Kings 8:12–13 thick darkness. Compare Ex. 20:21; Deut. 4:11.

1 Kings 8:17 a house for the name of the Lord. The word “name” is used in vv. 16–20 and in vv. 22–53 to avoid saying that God himself actually dwells in the temple (see also 3:2; 5:3; 5). God’s presence in the temple was real, for God’s “name” represents all that he is (see note on Acts 10:48). But he was not to be thought of as actually “living” in the temple, as other nations imagined concerning their false gods.

1 Kings 8:22–53 The ark of the covenant has arrived in the temple (vv. 1–13), and Solomon has addressed the people about the meaning of the event (vv. 14–21). He now prays to the Lord, reflecting on how God “dwells” in the temple. Each of the seven sections of the prayer includes a plea that God would “hear” his people “from heaven” (vv. 32, 34, 36, 39, 43, 45, 49).

1 Kings 8:27–30 will God indeed dwell on the earth? The temple is a special place where God’s name is, a place toward which his eyes are open (see Isa. 66:1–3). Though God will dwell in the temple (1 Kings 8:10, 13; see note on 1 Sam. 4:3–4), it is not to be thought of as the only place where God is. God hears prayers in heaven (1 Kings 8:30), which is his dwelling place. Even then, however, God cannot be limited to any one place. He does not, strictly speaking, dwell in even the highest heaven (v. 27). God cannot be confined by space.

1 Kings 8:31–32 If a man sins against his neighbor. This is the first of seven specific petitions in Solomon’s prayer. It concerns a legal case that is impossible to resolve in any normal way because of difficulty with evidence or witnesses (see 3:16–28). A priestly ritual is involved here (compare Num. 5:11–31). Solomon calls upon God himself as judge to condemn the guilty and clear the righteous individual.

1 Kings 8:33–40 When your people Israel are defeated. The second, third, and fourth petitions concern defeat in battle, followed by exile from the land (vv. 33–34), drought (vv. 35–36), and other difficulties. In each case the cause of the problem is sin. The people need to seek God’s forgiveness and his instruction (vv. 35–36).

1 Kings 8:46–51 carried away captive. The seventh petition returns to defeat and exile, the major concern of the prayer. In exile, if the people should repent and pray toward land, city, and temple (v. 48; see Dan. 6:10 for the practice), then God is asked to take them back once more as his people and maintain their cause (1 Kings 8:49; see v. 45).

1 Kings 8:54–9:9 These verses tell of Solomon’s second address to the people (8:54–61), of the conclusion of the temple’s dedication (8:62–66), and of God’s second appearance to Solomon. The Lord responds to Solomon’s prayer with some solemn words about dynasty and temple, people and land (9:1–9).

1 Kings 8:54–61 rest to his people Israel. Solomon recalls the promises given through Moses. “Rest” refers to the establishment of Israel within the land of Canaan. The ultimate purpose of Israel’s walking in God’s ways is that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God; there is no other (see Deut. 4:35). Israel’s calling is to be a light for the Gentiles (Isa. 49:6), bringing God’s salvation to the ends of the earth.

1 Kings 8:65–66 from Lebo-hamath to the Brook of Egypt. This phrase designates the whole Solomonic empire. It is similar to phrases in 4:21, 24.