First Kings

Chapter Eight: Solomon’s Prayer

by

Jim Bordwine, ThD

Introduction

Every life has epic moments, those events that mark some major change or advancement. Most adults, for example, could site their marriages and the birth of children. While most would share these events, each person would have a list of unique events, as well. I, for example, would add to this list my conversion, of course, my father’s illness, my completion of various educational endeavors, and my ordination for the ministry. Epic events usually are accomplishments. When we get to the end of our days, these accomplishments are an important component in the legacy we leave behind.

We’ve been studying the rise of Solomon to the throne after his father, David, as recorded in 1 Kings. We just completed chapter three. The next four chapters contain an abundance of information regarding Solomon’s officials and kingdom organization. This is not the kind of text usually explored through exegetical preaching. Therefore, I’m going to summarize all this information and then direct our attention to the next epic event in the life of Solomon.

Chapter four begins with a list of various kingdom officials. In addition to priests, this section records the names of secretaries, chroniclers, army leaders, household servants, heads of the labor force, and regional overseers. The geographical boundaries of the kingdom are also given and some territories responsible for paying tribute to Solomon are identified.

One of the most interesting parts of the record is the amount of provisions required to maintain Solomon’s household for a single day. The writer states that the household consumed 30 bushels of flour, 60 bushels of meal, 30 oxen, 100 sheep, plus deer and various fowl. And as the writer turns his attention to the peace enjoyed under Solomon, he says the king had 40,000 stalls for his horses, as well as 12,000 horsemen. Solomon spoke 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs. The writer observes that Solomon spoke of the cedars of Lebanon, hyssop that grows on the wall, animals and birds, creeping things, and fish.

The epic event in Solomon’s life that I alluded to earlier is the building of the temple. David, you’ll recall, had wanted to build a house for God, but was told by God that his son, Solomon, would be the one to accomplish this task. As the fifth chapter opens, the writer gives us some background on this project. Solomon first called on a friend of his father, Hiram king of Tyre. Hiram was asked to supply cedars for the construction of the temple. The text says Hiram “rejoiced greatly” when he was asked to supply this material. Hiram promised that he would ensure delivery of the trees—as many as Solomon desired.

The work force appointed to cut and transport the lumber was incredible. Some 30,000 laborers were involved in rotating shifts. The men worked in three groups of 10,000 each. They were in Lebanon cutting trees for one month and then given two months at home. In addition, Solomon had 70,000 transporters. While the trees were being cut and transported to Jerusalem, 80,000 stone masons were busy building the foundation for the temple.

The sixth chapter gives the measurements of the temple. It also records some of the precious metals used in the construction. And the seventh chapter lists some of the details of the inside construction, the furniture, and the decorations.

Finally, we come to the eighth chapter, which begins with the transport of the Ark of the Covenant from the tent of meeting to the new temple. As the ark arrived, the glory of the LORD filled the structure to such an extent that the priests were unable to stand. After quickly rehearsing the history that led up to that day, Solomon offered a prayer. It is a prayer of dedication for the LORD’s new house of worship.

01. Solomon’s Plea before the LORD (vv. 22-29)

8:22 Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven. 23 He said, “O LORD, the God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing lovingkindness to Your servants who walk before You with all their heart, 24 who have kept with Your servant, my father David, that which You have promised him; indeed, You have spoken with Your mouth and have fulfilled it with Your hand as it is this day. 25 Now therefore, O LORD, the God of Israel, keep with Your servant David my father that which You have promised him, saying, ‘You shall not lack a man to sit on the throne of Israel, if only your sons take heed to their way to walk before Me as you have walked.’ 26 Now therefore, O God of Israel, let Your word, I pray, be confirmed which You have spoken to Your servant, my father David. 27 But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You, how much less this house which I have built! 28 Yet have regard to the prayer of Your servant and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to listen to the cry and to the prayer which Your servant prays before You today; 29 that Your eyes may be open toward this house night and day, toward the place of which You have said, ‘My name shall be there,’ to listen to the prayer which Your servant shall pray toward this place.”

Solomon’s confession (22-24)

There are a few incidents in Israel’s history that could be classified as “monumental” or “unforgettable.” The exodus comes to mind, of course; the fall of Jericho would be another. Some of the episodes when God’s wrath struck the people could be included in this list, too. As far as joyful circumstances are concerned, the building of the temple is almost unsurpassed. The way the people responded to Solomon’s project is incredible. Although all the details of the construction are not included in this book, other portions of the Old Testament reveal that response of the people was overwhelming. At one point, the people had to be told to stop making contributions because so much had been given all of it could not be used. Both the building and the process, therefore, were magnificent examples of love for the LORD, the enthusiasm of the people, and the leadership of Solomon.

I think there is little doubt that Solomon realized the significance of this event. He certainly knew that his father had desired to build a house for God. That privilege had been reserved for Solomon. The king displays much humility as he speaks to the LORD. And please notice that this prayer is offered in the presence of the nation, as the writer states in v. 22. Solomon is rightly making this expression of thanksgiving a public matter. He understands the importance of acknowledging the goodness of God in such a fashion. It is a testimony and a time of instruction and inspiration for all who witness it. No one present on this day likely forgot what they saw and heard for the rest of their lives.

Solomon’s remembrance (25-29)

Standing before the people, the king confesses truths about God: “there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth beneath,” Solomon declares. God “keeps covenant” and “shows lovingkindness” to His people who love and serve Him. In particular, Solomon notes the LORD’s relationship with David. God promised David that he would not lack a descendant to sit on the throne of Israel as long as his sons walked obediently. This event, Solomon maintains, was fulfillment of that promise as he, a son of David, was able to preside over the construction of God’s house.

At that moment, Solomon mentions a truth that needed to be emphasized. Although an earthly dwelling place had been built for the LORD, no one was to think that His nature was such that He could be confined to such a place. The house of the LORD represented His dwelling among His people, but it was not the actual location where God would be confined. After all, Solomon declares, “Will God indeed dwell on the earth . . . heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You!” Yet God Himself had approved the construction of the temple as an act of condescension so that the people would learn that God was near them and could be approached.

Because the LORD had come down to His people, as it were, and because He was willing to have His house built in their midst, Solomon was greatly encouraged to hope in God’s regard for the nation. God took steps to emphasize His love for the people and Solomon uses that to balance the incredible fact of God’s omniscience. God fills creation, yet God is with us—this is one of Solomon’ thoughts. And that contrast between the awesomeness of God and the people’s ability to dwell with Him moves Solomon to request that the LORD hear his prayer on this day; and the king humbly, yet hopefully, asks God to keep His eyes upon this place where His name would dwell. Above all, Solomon indicates, the temple will be a place of communion between the people and God; it will be characterized by prayer—prayers of confession and thanksgiving and intercession.

Although Solomon is standing before the people, he is speaking to the LORD. His request for the unfailing attention of God in the days to come was based on the words and works of the LORD Himself. As I noted, Solomon comes humbly before God making his request, but he also comes with confidence because the LORD had blessed this effort to construct the temple and revealed His desire to dwell among the people.

02. Solomon’s Concern for His People (vv. 30-50)

30 “Listen to the supplication of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place; hear in heaven Your dwelling place; hear and forgive. 31 If a man sins against his neighbor and is made to take an oath, and he comes and takes an oath before Your altar in this house, 32 then hear in heaven and act and judge Your servants, condemning the wicked by bringing his way on his own head and justifying the righteous by giving him according to his righteousness. 33 When Your people Israel are defeated before an enemy, because they have sinned against You, if they turn to You again and confess Your name and pray and make supplication to You in this house, 34 then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of Your people Israel, and bring them back to the land which You gave to their fathers. 35 When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain, because they have sinned against You, and they pray toward this place and confess Your name and turn from their sin when You afflict them, 36 then hear in heaven and forgive the sin of Your servants and of Your people Israel, indeed, teach them the good way in which they should walk. And send rain on Your land, which You have given Your people for an inheritance.”

Upholding the Righteous (vv. 30-32)

Solomon’s concern for his people has already been made obvious. In this section, that concern is emphasized even more. He truly is the representative of the people before the LORD on this day and he hopes to secure God’s ear, as it were, so that he can guarantee a blessed future for the nation.

Solomon anticipates that the temple will become, as I noted, a place of prayer. It will stand for the presence of God with Israel and the people will take great encouragement from this. As we pray, the king says, please hear us; when Your people pray “toward this place,” please hear them. Solomon envisions the temple being a point of focus—not for the sake of the building itself, but because of what it stands for. People will pray in the temple and others will pray toward the temple when they are far off. The temple will be a constant reminder of God’s favor toward Israel and, consequently, the people’s covenant obligations wherever they happen to be.

The king knows God will not actually live in the temple; he calls on God to hear the prayers of the temple “in heaven Your dwelling place.” He wants God to receive the prayers of the people and forgive, which ties in with a theme running throughout this narrative—reconciliation. The temple will be the place where those in trouble will find help; it will be a place where truth and justice operate. Solomon knows that when God hears the prayers of the people in the days to come, His nature will lead Him to condemn wickedness and uphold righteousness. Therefore, those seeking righteous judgment will find it; those seeking pardon for sin will find it. All who sincerely desire truth will find comfort in the house of the LORD.

Confession and Restoration (vv. 33-50)

I mentioned that one of the themes in this passage is reconciliation. In vv. 33 ff., Solomon envisions various circumstances in which the intervention of God will be necessary. The people will find themselves in need and in danger; their own transgressions will result in threatening circumstances. During those days, Solomon expects, the LORD will be sought by the people and he pleads with God to be merciful at such times.

I stopped reading at v. 36. As Solomon continues, however, he names a variety of afflictions, conditions, and transgressions for which the people might seek the LORD’s mercy. The king pleads for God to hear the cry of His people and forgive them. And Solomon specifically mentions the temple, the place toward which the people will raise their hands in petition and the place toward which they will look for deliverance.

Interestingly, even though the people will look to the temple, that structure representing God’s presence and favor toward them, Solomon notes that God is in heaven and that is where He will hear the petitions of the people. The king knows that God is not confined to an earthly dwelling, as he has specified before. There is no confusion in Solomon’s mind between the God of Israel and the pagan concepts of deity.

I must also call attention to vv. 41-43. Solomon anticipates foreigners coming to Israel in search of the LORD when they hear of His greatness. The king asks God to welcome the stranger and bless him just as He would the people of Israel. This is a clear anticipation of the gospel that one day would cover the earth with the knowledge of the LORD. Solomon’s vision for Israel is one of a world-wide influence.

Verses 46 and following epitomize a related theme found in this section, which is confession and restoration. Solomon believes the people will transgress and then repent, he believes they will seek God’s face during battle or some other needy circumstance, he believes they will come humbly before the LORD confessing their sins and His greatness. When that happens, the king says to God, “hear their prayer and their supplication in heaven Your dwelling place, and maintain their cause, and forgive Your people who have sinned against You . . . and make them objects of compassion . . .”

This is a wonderful series of requests on Solomon’s part. They are all designed to accomplish two things: the continuance of his people and the glory of God. They will sin and God will forgive, they will do battle and God will grant them victory, they will need food and God will supply it. This is a picture of how every relationship with God is supposed to work. We depend on Him, we turn to Him, we trust Him and He never fails us.

03. Solomon’s “Reminder” to the LORD (vv. 51-53)

“. . . 51 (for they are Your people and Your inheritance which You have brought forth from Egypt, from the midst of the iron furnace), 52 that Your eyes may be open to the supplication of Your servant and to the supplication of Your people Israel, to listen to them whenever they call to You. 53 For You have separated them from all the peoples of the earth as Your inheritance, as You spoke through Moses Your servant, when You brought our fathers forth from Egypt, O Lord GOD.”

Israel’s Deliverance (vv. 51, 52)

Briefly, Solomon touches on the matter of God’s deliverance of the people from captivity. At that time, God emphasized that Israel belonged to Him due to the promises made to the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. From that time to the present day, God had obligated Himself to this nation and Solomon hopes that truth will mean that God will continue to have regard for the people in the days to come.

Israel’s Separation (v. 53)

Verse 53 restates a fundamental truth of the relationship between God and Israel, namely, that the nation was unique among all the nations of the world. This people alone belonged to God as an inheritance, Solomon declares. There is an unbreakable bond between the nation and the LORD Solomon stresses; and he depends on that bond as he asks for God’s favor for the people in the days to come.

Application

As we give our attention to some application from this passage, the first thing that occurs to me is the connection between the house of the LORD and the prayers of His people. This notion is emphasized by Solomon several times in his prayer. This is a distinct reminder of one of the primary characteristics of our relationship with God, which is our ability to commune with Him through prayer.

As you consider what Solomon has to say on this subject, it becomes clear that prayer would be a vital aspect of Israel’s relationship with God. Solomon’s plea for the LORD’s mercy in the future is based on his expectation that the nation will be a nation of much prayer. The people will pray constantly for various needs. In their prayers they will confess their sins and ask for forgiveness, they will ask for God’s help against their enemies, and they will ask God for relief when there is a lack of rain or some other issue facing the nation.

My point is that this passage echoes what is taught throughout the Bible concerning the central importance of prayer. At the same time, however, prayer is one of the issues receiving the least amount of attention in the lives of many Christians. This passage reminds us that regular, detailed prayer is one of the essential practices in our relationship with God. If we’re not praying, we are forfeiting the chief means of making our desires and needs known to God above. If we are slack in our prayer life, we should not be surprised when we struggle.

God has given us prayer as this primary means of interacting with Him in this life. Let this story, therefore, be a reminder to you of this vital aspect of your experience before the LORD. Make prayer a normal part of your routine, not something to which you resort only when you find yourself in desperate need.

A second application has to do with the benefits of publicly acknowledging the LORD’s goodness. The prayer Solomon made was delivered in the open before the people. He acknowledged God’s magnificent nature and God’s willingness to be approached by His people. As the people heard Solomon’s words, as the king rehearsed some of the past and emphasized how God had shown favor to them, they must have been encouraged regarding the days to come. This public prayer taught the people about God and their relationship with Him, and it served as encouragement for them to rejoice in their history with the LORD and commit themselves to obedience in the future.

As you know, we have a practice here of remembering the goodness of God displayed in our history as His people. We do this precisely because the rehearsal of our past informs us regarding what we should expect today and in the days to come. God is consistent, and His consistency is the ground for our hope right at this moment. We expect God to remain what He has always been for us, which is a loving heavenly Father in Christ Jesus. When we remember the past, we are fortified for whenever we have to face in the future.

I trust, therefore, that you’re grateful to be part of a body where this practice is maintained. We’re not called to discover God as if He has been unknown up to the present. We’re called to remember what God has done for those who came before us so we might be wise concerning what we should expect. And we have a duty not only of rehearsing the past for our own sakes, but also of ensuring that the rising generation has this same wonderful concept of God.

The third application is one we have seen several times before in the study. Therefore, I’ll mention it only briefly. I’m referring to the connection between faithful obedience and the blessings of God. God’s promise to David regarding his descendants included the provision of faithfulness on their part. Had Solomon been a rebel, he would not have found himself sitting on the throne of his Father David.

Let us be reminded once again of the importance of walking in faith before God. Sin has no place in the lives of God’s people. It is unnatural, it is destructive, and it is offensive to our God. These stories we are considering are testimonies to the truth that God blesses the righteous, but withholds His favor from the disobedient.

The fourth application comes from the construction of the temple and the manner in which the temple would be used. God allowed Solomon to build a house that would represent His presence among the people. It would comfort the people, inspire them, and educate them. We should never take lightly the privilege we have today of drawing near to God. It is a privilege granted only to those loved by Him, to those for whom He has saving regard.

It is not a small thing to be able to address God as Father. It is the greatest of blessings and should bring forth from us, therefore, the most profound sense of thankfulness. Rather than abandon us to our sin, God saved us from it; instead of letting us receive what we deserved, He gave us what we could never merit.

The difference between Israel’s approach to God and our approach is that the place where we draw near to God is no longer a building, but a Man, Jesus Christ. The temple foreshadowed the day when God’s people would have access to Him and was not constrained by their sin. That is what we have been given in our Savior. In Him, we draw near to God and find that we are welcomed; we find that our sin no longer separates us from God. We do not approach God now with sacrifices for our sin so that we might be forgiven. Instead, the ultimate sacrifice has been made for us and it has ended for all time the need for anything else to be done.

As I said in the sermon, the temple and the people’s use of the temple, was a picture of the gospel. It was an imperfect image of God granting free access to Himself to all who loved Him. We, however, live in the day of fulfillment. Christ has made a wonderful reality the truth only mimicked in the temple. He did that by eliminating that which stood between God and us, namely, the guilt of our sin. That was what always stood between God and His people. In Christ, that guilt is taken away because He bore it and paid the incredible price of our freedom.

Prayer

Hymn for Communion

Conclusion

Sharing the body and blood of the Savior is an aspect of our continuing communion with God. These elements testify to the truth that the payment has been made and received. We are no longer separated from God by sin and the guilt of sin. Our Savior has rescued us and we are safe for all eternity.

Matt. 26:26 While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” 27 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; 28 for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. 29 But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”