Now we come to the seven petitions which Solomon speaks. Yet regard the prayer of Your servant and his supplication, O LORD my God, and listen to the cry and the prayer which Your servant is praying before You: that Your eyes may be open toward this temple day and night, toward the place where You said You would put Your name, that You may hear the prayer which Your servant makes toward this place. 31When anyone sins against his neighbor, and is forced to take (O)an oath, and comes and takes an oath before Your altar in this temple, 32then hear in heaven, and act, and judge Your servants, (P)condemning the wicked, bringing his way on his head, and justifying the righteous by giving him according to his righteousness. The heavens, even the . 29May your eyes be open(J) toward(K) this temple night and day, this place of which you said, My Name(L) shall be there, so that you will hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place. Solomon here prays for the faithfulness of all of his own posterity. 1 Chronicles 29:16). (Selman). 12. the Lord appeared to Solomon by The dedication of the temple must have been an occasion of intense national interest to Solomon and his subjects. If there was no rain, there was no food. 26:16, 25, 26; Deut. This splendid edifice is now completed, and will be dedicated to the Most High God on Friday, the 1st. When there is famine in the land, pestilence or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers; when their enemies besiege them in the land of their cities; whatever plague or whatever sickness there is; whatever prayer, whatever supplication is made by anyone, or by all Your people Israel, when each one knows his own burden and his own grief, and spreads out his hands to this temple: then hear from heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive, and give to everyone according to all his ways, whose heart You know (for You alone know the hearts of the sons of men), that they may fear You, to walk in Your ways as long as they live in the land which You gave to our fathers.. (v. 1-2) Solomon blesses all of Israel. i. He prays for God to meet the daily needs of the people not for their own sake but so that Gods name may be known among the nations. 62-66).To this account is appended an appearance of the Lord to Solomon that balances the divine word to Solomon in the . Living together outside of marriage is direct disobedience to Gods commands, and God cannot bless disobedience. Israel had prospered and had been victorious under the reign of David. From prior statements, such as his statement in 2 Chronicles 6:1-2, we might have thought that Solomon drifted towards a superstitious idea that God actually lived in the temple to the exclusion of other places. Whenever you accomplish something, you are still to give God the glory for what he has done. And we should pray for Gods people to remain fully committed to him. I. Solomon's Prayer of _____ of God (1 Kings 8:22-29) Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson. "If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our . And this applies to all dedications. b. If you are going in one direction, and God wants you to go in a different direction, then you need God to turn you around. 44When Your people go out to battle against their enemy, wherever You send them, and when they pray to the Lord toward the city which You have chosen and the temple which I have built for Your name, 45then hear in heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their [c]cause. NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. III. How many people have you told about Jesus lately? Verse Concepts. 1 Kings 8:54-63 (Dedication of the temple), INTRODUCTION: This morning we are going to look at King Solomons prayer of dedication when the temple was built in Jerusalem and see what principles of this prayer apply to us today as we dedicate our new sanctuary to God and his glory. Disobedience, Pride, Self-Deception, Rejection, The Sanctity of Human Life in the Womb - Psalm 139, Caring for Each Other in the Body of Christ, Determining the Dates for Easter and Passover, The Magic Dresser (A Poem for Mother's Day), The Fruit of the Spirit and 1 Corinthians 13, Click here for more messages from the book of. It is a beautiful prayer which relates more specifically to the temple itself and its unique place in the history of Israel and the world. There is suffering in every part of life. fulfilled with his hands) really means that Gods actions have confirmed his words it is as if Gods unseen hands were active in all the human hands who contributed to the construction work (cf. Solomon has no basis upon which to request anything except God's beloved mercy. The first prayer is a longer prayer which is recorded for us in verses 1 Kings 8:22-53. We should pray for Gods continued presence and direction. It was even worse when the defeat was because they had sinned against the LORD Himself. Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God; arise, therefore, and build the sanctuary of the Lord God, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord and the holy vessels of God into the house that is to be built for the name of the Lord.". He knows exactly who he is praying to. Solomon begins his prayer with thanksgiving and praise for what God has done. When the king mentions pestilence he is referring to a very contagious disease of that day (such as the black plague of the middle ages?) The work on this sanctuary is long completed. We dedicate this sanctuary to be a house of prayer. We are glad that Solomon said this. Israel did not have a Nile river which made the whole land fruitful. Here are 3 key lessons from Solomon's prayer for wisdom that can give us spiritual wisdom, as well: 1. The following cookies are also needed - You can choose if you want to allow them: You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page. Temple of Jerusalem, either of two temples that were the centre of worship and national identity in ancient Israel. In Solomon's prayer at the temple inauguration he referred to Jehovah as the God above all, a God of loving-kindness and loyalty, the Fulfiller of his promises. Online 2013. Then he prays. That all the peoples of the earth may know Thy name! Its location, Mount Moriah, was where God appeared to David, and also where Abraham . The substance is Christ; whatever we ask in his name, it shall be given us. Solomon had made a bronze platform five cubits . 25Therefore, Lord God of Israel, now keep what You promised Your servant David my father, saying, (G)You shall not fail to have a man sit before Me on the throne of Israel, only if your sons take heed to their way, that they walk before Me as you have walked before Me. 26(H)And now I pray, O God of Israel, let Your word come true, which You have spoken to Your servant David my father. It was the Lord who gave Israel rest from their enemies so they could focus on the building of the temple at that time. b. When was the last time? For less than $5/mo. V.22a ""Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel." This was a public prayer. In an age when this is frequently misunderstood, it provides a valuable resource. Let's pray that in whatever we do, that the Lord always gets the glory and ask that it will always shine through. Israel's God does make covenant. King Solomon's Prayer Of Dedication Outlines The Importance Of The Temple The Jewish people do not believe in the spiritual Temple which is Jesus Christ. Solomon then prayed two prayers of dedication. New King James Version (NKJV). 55 He stood and blessed the whole assembly of Israel in a loud voice, saying: 56 Praise be to the Lord, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Hanukkah, (Hebrew: "Dedication") also spelled anukka, Chanukah, or Chanukkah, also called Feast of Dedication, Festival of Lights, or Feast of the Maccabees, Jewish festival that begins on Kislev 25 (usually in December, according to the Gregorian calendar) and is celebrated for eight days. He had kept covenant with His people, and promised mercy to those who would walk in obedience ( 6:14 ). Even though men cannot prove the sin which has been committed by this "someone," God does know. There will be seven distinct petitions in this prayer of Solomon. DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLE 231 devaluation of the temple.9 The Deuteronomist, writing after the temple's destruction, purportedly recasts the temple's significance, "For him the temple is little more than a place towards which one turns in prayer."10 Similarly, Weinfeld sees Solomon's prayer as evincing the deuteronomic demythologization of . Solomon's solemn sacrifice 8. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. In this way he would be visible to all the people and they would all be able to hear him. If they are taken out of their land because of their sin! This is instructive to us. It took seven years for King Solomon to actually build the temple. 37When famine(Z) or plague(AA) comes to the land, or blight(AB) or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers,(AC) or when an enemy besieges them in any of their cities, whatever disaster or disease may come, 38and when a prayer or plea is made by anyone among your people Israelbeing aware of the afflictions of their own hearts, and spreading out their hands(AD) toward this temple 39then hear(AE) from heaven, your dwelling place. We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. This lesson was prepared for older elementary students and can be adapted for . If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain. We dedicate this sanctuary to be a place of worship. 28:21, 22, 27, 38, 42, 52, [1 Sam. (1 Kings 8:59-60). The "man after God's own heart" had left the scene. with praise and thanksgiving to the Lord, and the people . Are there more ecumenical passages in the Old Testament? 35When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain(U) because your people have sinned(V) against you, and when they pray toward this place and give praise to your name and turn from their sin because you have afflicted them, 36then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel. True b. I have surely built You an exalted house, and a place for You to dwell in forever: Solomon rightly sensed that the presence of the cloud meant that God dwelt in the temple in a special way. Solomon took time to contemplate the God he was praying to. Though the temple was a house for Jehovah, Solomon realized that "the heavens, yes, the heaven of the heavens, themselves" could not contain Him. Wasnt it the donations of the people that made the building possible? 16:7; 1 Chr. The pretended gods of the nations could not compare to Him in any way. i. 11:28, 29], NKJV, Chronological Study Bible: Holy Bible, New King James Version, NKJV, Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, Red Letter Edition: Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture, NKJV, The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People, NKJV, Lucado Encouraging Word Bible, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New King James Version, NKJV, Spirit-Filled Life Bible, Third Edition, Red Letter Edition, Comfort Print: Kingdom Equipping Through the Power of the Word, NKJV, Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible, 2nd Edition, Comfort Print: Growing in Knowledge and Understanding of God Through His Word. But will God indeed dwell with men on the earth? But oh my friend, do try and use Gods promises; nothing pleases God better than to see his promises put in circulation; he loves to see his children bring them up to him, and say, LORD, do as thou hast said. And let me tell you that it glorifies God to use his promises. (Spurgeon). Lines and paragraphs break automatically. Solomon's dedicatory prayer makes repeated mention of praying "toward this place," a clear intimation that the temple was to become the center of a world religionthat is, the true religion God gave was to become worldwide. As the opening section of Solomon s prayer (14-20) is summarized in the closing words of the prayer, we will quote these in order to grasp its general outline: Jehovah, God, Thou must not turn back the face of Thine anointed. Though only Jesus is God incarnate, the temple was a clear sign that God in all his being was committed to living among his people. (Selman), Then the king turned around and blessed the whole assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel was standing. We dedicate this sanctuary to be a light in this community proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ to all who will hear. a. It was Solomon's praise, that what he undertook, he went through with; it was by the grace of God that he prospered in it. Website: https://www.rayfowler.org. It would be inappropriate for him to do so because he was a king and not a priest. If there be famine, often the result of drought, or if there be pestilence, blasting or mildew, locust or caterpillar, siege by an enemy or any other plague or sickness if they repent and ask for forgiveness, may the Lord hear them. How much less this temple I have built! Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. GOD APPEARS TO HIM. How much less this temple which I have built! 54When Solomon had finished all these prayers and supplications to the Lord, he rose from before the altar of the Lord, where he had been kneeling with his hands spread out toward heaven. Now, my God, I pray, let Your eyes be open and let Your ears be attentive to the prayer made in this place. Solomon II. Can a murderer, if he repents, be saved? I. Thanksgiving and praise for what God has done (54-56). So this was a long-term project. 28:36, 64; 2 Kin. He sent the Babylonians and they came and ransacked the temple and burned it to the ground. What is especially notable is that foreigners could know and fear God like your people Israel. This hope of equality in worship was rarely expressed in the Old Testament (e.g. c. There is no God in heaven or on earth like You: Solomon recognized that God was completely unique. God answered this prayer of Solomon, and He forgave and restored His defeated people when they came in humble repentance. God is the one who made it possible, and we give him all the glory. He was the son of King David and Bathsheba. i. The priests took their positions, as did the Levites with the Lord's musical instruments, which King David had made for praising the Lord and which were used when he gave thanks, saying, "His love endures forever." But, when a segment of the people then turn to the temple and seek the name of God and ask forgiveness, may He bring each one back to the land he has received in his family inheritance. In the second petition the king pleads with his God concerning his people when they are defeated by enemies. All rights reserved worldwide. And so finally after all the years of preparation and giving and building, the temple was complete. (BE) 53For you singled them out from all the nations of the world to be your own inheritance,(BF) just as you declared through your servant Moses when you, Sovereign Lord, brought our ancestors out of Egypt.. 58May he turn our hearts(BK) to him, to walk in obedience to him and keep the commands, decrees and laws he gave our ancestors. This Sunday's lectionary reading from the Old Testament contains a portion of King Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem (1 Kings 8:22-53). Whenever a people is defeated, great suffering comes upon them. 54-61), and dismisses it (vv. The second part of his prayer was for Gods continued presence and direction. 1. a. Arise, O LORD God, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your strength: This conclusion of prayer has Numbers 10:35-36 in mind, when Israel moved the ark of the covenant, the tabernacle, and the whole camp of Israel from place to place through the wilderness during the exodus. I have surely built You an exalted house, The temple was completed the 8 th month of 11 th year of reign. The Ark has been brought in. So yes, we want the gospel to go to all the nations, but we also want the gospel to go to our friends and neighbors. So shall sin be done away and the righteous will not suffer for the unrighteous. 20:9; Eccl. As long as this did not slip into a superstitious misunderstanding, it was good to recognize a special place to come and meet with God. Hear(N) from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive. Im so glad that we are committed to missions right here at home in Broward County and beyond. Finally the king does not distinguish between the various evils which may come but sums them up by speaking of whatsoever plague or sickness there be. Solomon's prayer acknowledged the greatness of the LORD, and that there was none other God like Him. Click on the different category headings to find out more. God is able to send rain and He is able to withhold it. He knew that when God mercifully answered the prayers of foreigners, it drew those from other nations to the God of all nations. Was that a major accomplishment? Forgiveness of sins that had caused defeat in battle (vv. Your hearts must be fully committed to the Lord or the dedication means nothing.. EVERYONE: We dedicate this sanctuary now to the glory of God the Father, to the honor of Jesus Christ his Son, and to the praise of the Holy Spirit. Otherwise you will be prompted again when opening a new browser window or new a tab. (AO), 44When your people go to war against their enemies, wherever you send them, and when they pray(AP) to the Lord toward the city you have chosen and the temple I have built for your Name, 45then hear from heaven their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause. Many modern people close their eyes, bow their heads, and fold their hands as they pray, but the Old Testament tradition was to spread out the hands toward heaven in a gesture of surrender, openness, and ready reception. Solomons final request is that Gods people would remain fully committed to him at all times. With Him hearing is forgiving and forgiving is hearing. God will then judge the one who has committed the sin and the taint of sin which exists as long as the real sinner is not known will be removed from the whole people. The mention of Gods hands (lit. Look at verses 57-58: May the Lord our God be with us as he was with our fathers; may he never leave us nor forsake us. Why, or, why not? 2 Chronicles 7:12-22 . The apex of joy is realized in the dedication sacrifices and celebratory feast associated with this climactic moment in Jewish history. Follow Christ's journey to the Cross. This is such an important prayer because it reminds us that we do not exist for ourselves but rather for Gods glory and the spreading of Gods name throughout our community and throughout the nations. The heavens, even the highest heaven,(H) cannot contain(I) you. This type of praying produced some marvelous results. 106:46; Acts 7:10, Ex. Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! I have surely built You an exalted house, And a place for You to dwell in forever." a. You may unsubscribe from Bible Gateways emails at any time. 2 Chronicles 6 - Solomon's Prayer of Dedication A. Solomon blesses God. Although we gather as a church to worship Christ, we must always be thinking of those outside the church who still need Christ. Solomon's prayer of dedication of the Temple. Keep prayer at he center of all you do! He now assumes a posture in prayer of which we have not read earlier in the Biblical account. In this refrain he speaks of the riches of the experience of faith. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20).