I Kings 8:54-61: The Temple Dedication

The Temple Dedication, 1 Kings 8:54-61

1. PROCLAMATION OF BLESSING UPON ISRAEL

54) And it was so, that when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven.

Verses 22-53 record the long prayer of Solomon.

Even though the normal posture for prayer in most of Scripture is standing, Solomon knelt before the Lord. In v. 22 he was standing, and at some point, he knelt.

55-56) And he stood, and blessed all the congregation of Israel with a loud voice, saying, 56 Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant.

He goes on to tout the faithfulness of God in keeping His promises very much as Joshua (21:45) had done generations earlier.

There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.

We, too, can rest in the promises of God. Many are yet to be fulfilled, and they surely will!

2. PLEA FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAKING GOD KNOWN

57-58) The LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor forsake us:58That he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers.

The promised presence of the God of peace is largely why His people may experience the peace of God.

So often this promise is repeated:

Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Joshua 1:5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

1 Samuel 12:22 For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people.

Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

No matter what befalls us, we can count on His presence and protection through the storm, if not from it.

His peace is our defense.

Philippians 4:5-7 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

59-61) And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night, that he maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel at all times, as the matter shall require: 60That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else.. 61) Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.