Read the Passage: 1 Kings 8-9

Arrival of the Ark (8:1–21)

1 Kings 6–7 reports the design, construction, and furnishing of the temple. Now, eleven months later, after the completion of the temple, Solomon gathered the people together at the Feast of Tabernacles to dedicate the building. The first order of business was to move the ark of the covenant and the other holy furnishings from the tent in Jerusalem in which they had resided for nearly forty years. This relocation was done with many animal sacrifices (cf. 1 Kings 8:5). 1 Kings 8:9 reports that at this time the ark only contained the two stone tablets on which the moral law was written. Apparently, over the previous 450 years, the pot of manna (cf. Exod. 16:33) and Aaron’s rod (cf. Num. 17:10) had been removed. When the ark was placed in the most holy place, the temple was supernaturally filled with the cloud of God’s glory (cf. Lev. 16:2), and Solomon began his address.

Solomon started to speak when the cloud of God’s presence began to fill the temple (cf. 1 Kings 8:12–13). He then turned to the assembly and blessed the people as he rehearsed aspects of their history, specifically mentioning God’s covenant with David at 2 Sam. 7:12–16. Recall that on that occasion, which transpired roughly forty years earlier, David had expressed his desire to build the temple. God’s response was that rather than David building a physical house for Him, God would build a spiritual house through him. God told David, “I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom” (2 Sam. 7:12). Although Solomon was not born when the Davidic covenant was made, Solomon recognized his reign and the construction of the temple as being the fulfillment of God’s promises to his father David (cf. 1 Kings 8:20–21).

Prayer of Solomon (8:22–66)

1 Kings 8:22–53 contains a lengthy prayer that Solomon offered to God. This prayer begins with Solomon’s recognition that God was faithful to keep the Davidic Covenant (cf. 1 Kings 8:22–26), as well as his plea that God would hear his prayer (cf. 1 Kings 8:27–30). Next, in 1 Kings 8:31–53, Solomon made seven petitions before God, each of which related to God’s mercy and forgiveness. Here Solomon prayed that God would: distinguish between the wicked and the righteous (1 Kings 8:31–32), forgive sins leading to defeat (1 Kings 8:33–34), forgive sins causing drought (1 Kings 8:35–36), forgive sins leading to famine (1 Kings 8:37–40), show mercy to foreigners (1 Kings 8:41–43), give victory in battle (1 Kings 8:44–45), and restore the nation from captivity (1 Kings 8:46–53). Note this prayer related to many of the curses that Moses had described in Deut. 28:15–68.

1 Kings 8:54–61 records Solomon’s benediction to his prayer, in which he also blessed the assembly of people. In this benediction Solomon significantly declared, “There has not failed one word of God’s good promise, which He promised through His servant Moses” (1 Kings 8:56). Having finished his prayer, details of the practical dedication of the temple are reported at 1 Kings 8:62–66. This passage records large numbers of animal sacrifices, as it is noted that 22,000 bulls and 120,000 sheep and goats were offered to God. While these numbers are staggering, and perhaps seem to be unnecessary, the large quantity was meant to show the peoples’ awareness of the magnitude of their sin. Finally, 1 Kings 8:65–66 records that Solomon held a great feast for the entire assembly, lasting a staggering 14 days. Observe that much later, Hezekiah’s Passover was also 14 days (cf. 2 Chron. 30:22–23).

Appearance of God (9:1–9)

Recall that God had first appeared to Solomon at 1 Kings 3:4–15, and granted Solomon great wisdom and wealth. Now, as is recorded at 1 Kings 9:1–9, after more than two decades of personal prosperity, God appeared to Solomon a second time. It seems that, chronologically, this second appearance happened 13 years after Solomon’s prayer of dedication, for 1 Kings 6:38 notes that the temple was built (and presumably, dedicated) in 7 years. Solomon then took 13 years to complete his palace and the larger temple complex (cf. 1 Kings 7:1). 1 Kings 9:1 reports that God’s second appearance happened after these building projects were completed. The purpose of God’s appearance was two-fold: first, to assure Solomon that God had heard his prayer (cf. 1 Kings 9:3); and second, to remind the people that God’s blessings were contingent upon their obedience (cf. 1 Kings 9:4–9).

Application Questions:

1. In the Old Testament, why did God appear in a cloud when both the tabernacle and the temple were dedicated?
2. Was Solomon being prideful in declaring himself and his work to be the fulfillment of God’s covenant with David?
3. If heaven cannot contain God, how could God dwell within the temple, let alone within individual believers?
4. How can we explain the large number of animal sacrifices that were offered at the dedication of the temple?
5. Given that God appeared two times to Solomon, is it reasonable for God’s people to expect the same type of event (cf. Heb. 1:1–4)?