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. Though it happened 500 years before, it was just as important and real for Israel as the day it happened. What a sight! But then Solomon goes on to pray this second prayer of dedication in verses 54-63. i. Solomon having kept the feasts of tabernacles and dedication, dismisses the people 12. CONCLUSION: Solomons fourfold prayer is a wonderful model to us as we dedicate anything to the Lord whether a child, a marriage, a business, a church or a home. And so finally after all the years of preparation and giving and building, the temple was complete. 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.. This is the second part of Solomons prayer: a prayer for Gods continued presence and direction. This king does priestly work without violating the office of the priest as Uzziah later did. No place, now, under the gospel, can add to the prayers made in or towards it. I have surely built You an exalted house, Hear in heaven Your dwelling place; and when You hear, forgive. The Lord had promised David that his would be a dynasty, i.e., his children should sit on the throne of Israel through generations if they would fear Him and keep His commandments. (1 Kings 6:37-38) Of course his father, King David, had spent many years prior to that making preparations and gathering supplies. Hear from heaven Your dwelling place, and when You hear, forgive.. Solomon intercedes. If the rains do not come because the people have sinned the livelihood of the majority of the people will be affected at once. Didnt they make the plans, gather the materials, and oversee the building of the temple? For this reason, many observant Jews still pray facing the direction of the site of the temple in Jerusalem. O LORD God, do not turn away the face of Your Anointed; The heathen may think that their deities will be able to help them in certain situations, but their hopes are futile. B. Solomon's prayer posture. He humbly suggests that the Temple is the . These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features. 2 Chronicles Chapter 6. And he said: Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who has fulfilled with His hands what He spoke with His mouth to my father David, saying, Since the day that I brought My people out of the land of Egypt, I have chosen no city from any tribe of Israel in which to build a house, that My name might be there, nor did I choose any man to be a ruler over My people Israel. The temple is dedicated and let God now arise to His dwelling place! 7:20; [Rom. And so the fourth and final part of Solomons prayer is a prayer that Gods people would remain fully committed to him. We should pray for Gods continued presence and direction. Though the temple was a house for Jehovah, Solomon realized that "the heavens, yes, the heaven of the heavens, themselves" could not contain Him. The LORD said He would dwell in the dark cloud: The cloud of Gods glory has a long association with His presence. 41Moreover, concerning a foreigner, who is not of Your people Israel, but has come from a far country for Your names sake 42(for they will hear of Your great name and Your (Z)strong hand and Your outstretched arm), when he comes and prays toward this temple, 43hear in heaven Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You, (AA)that all peoples of the earth may know Your name and (AB)fear You, as do Your people Israel, and that they may know that this temple which I have built is called by Your name. A few short years after Solomon's prayer, God destroyed Israel as a nation. 24 You have kept b. The heavens, even the highest heaven,(H) cannot contain(I) you. When they pray toward this place and confess Your name, and turn from their sin because You afflict them, then hear in heaven: Solomon doesnt take it for granted that God would forgive and hear His repentant people. 16:7; 1 Chr. First we ask for Gods presence to be among us. Out of the land of Egypt: Solomon presses the remembrance of the Exodus. Check to enable permanent hiding of message bar and refuse all cookies if you do not opt in. Previously there was not an indication of a complete captivity of His people, but that is considered in this petition. When the Old Testament speaks of the "foreigner" it does not always refer to the same kind of people. Nehemiah Chapter 12. Outline Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the temple? In their fasting and prayer, the people of Judah claimed the promises God had made in his covenant with Solomon at the dedication of the temple in 1 Kings 8. 28Yet give attention to your servants prayer and his plea for mercy, Lord my God. (1 Kings 8:54-56). Last year through some generous estate gifts and through the sacrificial giving of Gods people, we were able to pay off the mortgage twelve years early. "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 . THE ARK BROUGHT TO THE TEMPLE (1 Kings 8:1-11) The Assembling of the Men of Israel (1 Kings 8:1-2) Those assembled by Solomon (1 Kings 8:1) King Solomon built a structure for God's presence to occupy in Yerushalayim (Jerusalem), but Solomon's prayer points toward God's people's being the dwelling place of God. Let the penitent be spared. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20). No greater indication of the need for a place of atonement and forgiveness could be given. (Selman). If they in captivity come to a different insight and repent, if they acknowledge their sins before God and turn to Him with all their hearts and soul, if they then pray toward this land, toward this city and toward this house, may the Lord hear them and forgive, maintain their cause, and bring them back from captivity. That is his privilege and his duty. New International Version (NIV). What a wonderful prayer to pray! But we must always remember why we exist as a church. Here they are about to dedicate this beautiful temple to the Lord and Solomon says: But may your hearts be fully committed to God. I dont know if youre familiar with the rest of the history of the Israelites and the temple, but when Gods people eventually turned away from the Lord, God took the temple away from them. This is the great secret to power in prayer to take Gods promises to heart in faith, and then boldly and reverently call upon Him to fulfill the promises. Solomon took time to contemplate the God he was praying to. And I am always happy to do that. Besides war and drought, there are various other calamities which may come upon a land. 46When they sin against You (AC)(for there is no one who does not sin), and You become angry with them and deliver them to the enemy, and they take them captive (AD)to the land of the enemy, far or near; 47(AE)yet when they [d]come to themselves in the land where they were carried captive, and repent, and make supplication to You in the land of those who took them captive, (AF)saying, We have sinned and done wrong, we have committed wickedness; 48and when they (AG)return to You with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their enemies who led them away captive, and (AH)pray to You toward their land which You gave to their fathers, the city which You have chosen and the temple which I have built for Your name: 49then hear in heaven Your dwelling place their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their [e]cause, 50and forgive Your people who have sinned against You, and all their transgressions which they have transgressed against You; and (AI)grant them compassion before those who took them captive, that they may have compassion on them 51(for (AJ)they are Your people and Your inheritance, whom You brought out of Egypt, (AK)out of the iron furnace), 52(AL)that Your eyes may be open to the supplication of Your servant and the supplication of Your people Israel, to listen to them whenever they call to You. Since God will not live in temples made by hands but only in temples that He constructs Himself, we that are saved have this same purpose, to be a witness of the glory of God to this world we live in! Want the Verse of the Day sent to your inbox? Our website uses cookies to store user preferences. Then Solomon spoke: "The LORD said He would dwell in the dark cloud. Are there more ecumenical passages in the Old Testament? 130:3; Prov. (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. Solomon's prayer. There is room for petitions, but first we are to realize to Whom we come and we must also realize our own limitations. There is no other God. As king himself, Solomon remembered and spoke those truths at the dedication of the temple in his prayer and benediction. 1 Then said Solomon, The LORD hath said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.. 2 But I have built an house of habitation for thee, and a place for thy dwelling for ever.. 3 And the king turned his face, and blessed the whole congregation of Israel: and all the congregation of Israel stood.. 4 And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who hath with his hands . And so we pray for God to turn our hearts that we may walk in all his ways and be obedient to his commands. get answers to your Bible questions from 50+ resources ($2,400+ value! How were the kingly and priestly offices kept separate? (O), 31When anyone wrongs their neighbor and is required to take an oath and they come and swear the oath(P) before your altar in this temple, 32then hear from heaven and act. Try Bible Gateway Plus free today! He speaks of a situation in which a man has sinned but the sin cannot be proved. Read 1 Kings 8:22-53, 2 Chronicles 6:12-42. As Solomon was involved in doing God's work, he could expect God's blessing on his efforts. Forgiveness of sins that had brought on drought (vv. Solomon's Temple is an example of how God used ancient Israel to point to greater realities. 2 Chronicles 6 - Solomon's Prayer of Dedication A. Solomon blesses God. And spread out his hands: This was the most common posture of prayer in the Old Testament. 26:34, 44; Deut. The services of the dedication will continue for three days in succession, commencing on each day at 11:00 o'clock a.m. Tickets may be had at the watch house near the . The greatness of Israel's God is seen in the facts that He has made all things and that He keeps covenant! We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. But I think we all need to do a better job in personal evangelism as well. When a dispute came down to one word against another, Solomon asked that the temple would be a place to properly swear by. Solomon's prayer at the time of the dedication of the Jewish Temple is a remarkable piece of literature. Now Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the chief fathers of the children of Israel, to King Solomon in Jerusalem, that they might bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from the City of David, which is Zion. a. 2 Chronicles 7:12-22 . The first petition which Solomon utters is rather difficult to understand. We gather to worship God in the beauty of his presence. Why Do You Look for the Living Among the Dead? We also notice why Solomon is praising God. When we gather to worship, this is what we seek first and foremost. Solomon's Prayer of Dedication | Reformed Bible Studies & Devotionals at Ligonier.org | Reformed Bible Studies & Devotionals at Ligonier.org God cannot be confined to a particular space, but He does meet with His people in particular spaces. The sense that sin is all-pervading dominates, epitomised in one of the clearest biblical statements about sins universality (there is no one who does not sin, 2 Chronicles 6:36). Rather than information alone, Solomon . 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. 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. King Solomon ( "Shlomo Hamelech" in Hebrew) was the third king of Israel. Remember the kindness of David, Thy servant (2 Chron.6:42). And then the fourth and final part of Solomons prayer is a prayer for Gods people to remain fully committed to him. On that platform King Solomon stood and then knelt, as the description of this very impressive occasion tells us in the preamble to Solomon's prayer, in 2 Chronicles 6:12-17: Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread forth his hands. Solomon is praying to the creator of the universe, who already owns all and knows all. And so this fourth part of Solomons prayer is so important when it comes to dedicating anything to God and his glory. Now therefore, November 2020 Series on Thanksgiving - for more information and an outline see here.. Scripture taken from the New King James Version. When the building is now finished there is a great celebration of dedication and Solomon utters a prayer which has become a classic. Solomon's Prayer of Dedication. God wanted the court of the Gentiles to be a place where the nations could come and pray. >> When you pray with others in corporate prayer, make sure your heart, mind, and soul are echoing the words that are spoken. 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. God answered this prayer of Solomon, and He forgave and restored His defeated people when they came in humble repentance. Teach(W) them the right way(X) to live, and send rain(Y) on the land you gave your people for an inheritance. King David himself gathered the raw materials to build the temple and, evidently, God provided the building plans for that holy structure. God having given testimony to Solomon's prayer by fire from heaven, 2. and glory in the temple, the people worship him 4. The people had taken confidence in the temple. c. When they come to themselves in the land where they were carried captive: Solomon also asked God to hear Israels prayer from captivity in a foreign land. When we gather for worship, the Lord meets with us, and we We should always begin with thanksgiving and praise for what God has done. Its location, Mount Moriah, was where God appeared to David, and also where Abraham . The first prayer is a longer prayer which is recorded for us in verses 1 Kings 8:22-53. Here are 3 key lessons from Solomon's prayer for wisdom that can give us spiritual wisdom, as well: 1. SOLOMON BEGINS HIS PRAYER WITH PRAISE. It is worthy of remark concerning this prayer that it is as full and comprehensive as if it were meant to be the summary of all future prayers offered in the temple. (Spurgeon), ii. All these prayers were offered at a time of challenge for the person praying, where the only one who could provide . The mention of Gods hands (lit. God is able to send rain and He is able to withhold it. The temple was completed the 8 th month of 11 th year of reign. Otherwise you will be prompted again when opening a new browser window or new a tab. There is suffering in every part of life. b. At the dedication ceremony, Solomon acknowledged the feebleness of his efforts compared to an infinite God: "Will God really dwell on earth with humans? And there I have put the ark, in which is the covenant of the LORD which He made with the children of Israel.. He does not say what manner of sin it is because that is immaterial to what he has in mind. 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. Next Solomon prays for Gods name to be known among the nations. 2 Chronicles 6:12-40 records the great prayer of Solomon at the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem. Do whatever the foreigner asks of you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know(AM) your name and fear(AN) you, as do your own people Israel, and may know that this house I have built bears your Name. Hear(N) from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive. 55He stood and blessed(BG) the whole assembly of Israel in a loud voice, saying: 56Praise be to the Lord, who has given rest(BH) to his people Israel just as he promised. 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. Look at verse 61: But your hearts must be fully committed to the Lord our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time. (1 Kings 8:61). 30 Hear the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel when they For less than $5/mo. Before we try and answer that question, it is helpful to get a little background on this temple that Solomon was dedicating. Sign up for daily inspiration today!>. Solomon intercedes. If we dont appropriate in faith, Gods promise is left unclaimed. Hear from heaven Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You, that all peoples of the earth may know Your name and fear You: Solomon asked God to hear the prayer of the foreigner out of a missionary impulse. Oh, let God now hear the prayer of His servant! 24You have kept what You promised Your servant David my father; You have both spoken with Your mouth and fulfilled it with Your hand, as it is this day. Acknowledges that God is bigger than the temple. And so we must always keep our outward focus as a church. 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. This is a Bible study on prayer, focusing specifically on the prayer at the dedication of the temple (1 Kings 8:22-53; 2 Chronicles 6:12-42). 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. Solomon mentions locust and caterpillar, grasshoppers and other creatures which denude the fields of all vegetation. Solomon then prayed two prayers of dedication. 1:6; Ps. Prayer for Gods people to remain fully committed to him (61-63). By Gods grace it has now been paid off in full as God has worked through his people to finish the work we started so long ago. When all the work for the temple was finished, the last step was bringing the Ark of the Covenant and placing it in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, putting it beneath the wings of the cherubim. We ask that he would be with us as he was with our fathers, and we pray that he may never leave nor forsake us. The importance of wisdom goes beyond just knowledge. (1 Kings 8:59-60). The ruler of the people is going to lead the whole nation in prayer! A church that loses its outward focus has lost its way. But, perhaps his wisdom is nowhere shown more clearly than in the building and dedication of the temple of God. 22Then Solomon stood before (B)the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and (C)spread out his hands toward heaven; 23and he said: Lord God of Israel, (D)there is no God in heaven above or on earth below like You, (E)who keep Your covenant and mercy with Your servants who (F)walk before You with all their hearts. 27But will God really dwell(G) on earth? Click to enable/disable Google Analytics tracking. Im so glad that our church has such a strong commitment to missions and to the spread of the gospel to all the nations. This is Solomon's prayer. 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. 35-36). i. A strong church was planted here in Plantation that has been faithful in preaching Gods word and has given millions of dollars to missions around the world. However, before one petition is uttered he extols the greatness of the God to Whom he is praying. Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. The we come to Solomon's prayer of dedication of the temple. 28 And the sons of the singers gathered themselves together, both out of . In the early years of the Israelite kingdom, the Ark of the Covenant was periodically moved about among several sanctuaries, especially those of Shechem and Shiloh. Nederlandstalige Bijbelstudies door Stan Marinussen, Copyright - Enduring Word       |      . Does the enormity of the sin have anything to do with the possibility of forgiveness? It would be inappropriate for him to do so because he was a king and not a priest. If you are new here, be sure to subscribe by email or feed reader so that you don't miss any future posts. Footnotes. It's actually three prayers and what I find most interesting about them is the balance of what is said. 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. So that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God and that there is no other. Solomons prayer has a global focus.