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Solomon's Prayer
1 Kings 8.22-43
Good News Translation (GNT)
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22 Then in the presence of the people Solomon
went and stood in front of the altar, where he
raised his arms
23 and prayed, "Lord God of Israel, there is no
god like you in heaven above or on earth
below! You keep your covenant with your
people and show them your love when they
live in wholehearted obedience to you.
24 You have kept the promise you made to my
father David; today every word has been
fulfilled.
25 And now, Lord God of Israel, I pray that you
will also keep the other promise you made to
my father when you told him that there would
always be one of his descendants ruling as
king of Israel, provided they obeyed you as
carefully as he did.
26 So now, O God of Israel, let everything come
true that you promised to my father David,
your servant.
27 "But can you, O God, really live on earth?
Not even all of heaven is large enough to hold
you, so how can this Temple that I have built
be large enough?
28 Lord my God, I am your servant. Listen to my
prayer, and grant the requests I make to you
today.
29 Watch over this Temple day and night, this
place where you have chosen to be
worshiped. Hear me when I face this
Temple and pray.
30 Hear my prayers and the prayers of your
people when they face this place and pray.
In your home in heaven hear us and forgive
us.
31 "When a person is accused of wronging
another and is brought to your altar in this
Temple to take an oath that he is innocent,
32 O Lord, listen in heaven and judge your
servants. Punish the guilty one as he
deserves, and acquit the one who is innocent.
33 "When your people Israel are defeated by their
enemies because they have sinned against
you, and then when they turn to you and come
to this Temple, humbly praying to you for
forgiveness,
34 listen to them in heaven. Forgive the sins of
your people and bring them back to the land
which you gave to their ancestors.
35 "When you hold back the rain because your
people have sinned against you, and then
when they repent and face this Temple,
humbly praying to you,
36 listen to them in heaven. Forgive the sins of
the king and of the people of Israel, and teach
them to do what is right. Then, O Lord, send
rain on this land of yours, which you gave to
your people as a permanent possession.
37 "When there is famine in the land or an
epidemic or the crops are destroyed by
scorching winds or swarms of locusts, or when
your people are attacked by their enemies, or
when there is disease or sickness among
them,
38 listen to their prayers. If any of your people
Israel, out of heartfelt sorrow, stretch out their
hands in prayer toward this Temple,
39 hear their prayer. Listen to them in your home
in heaven, forgive them, and help them. You
alone know the thoughts of the human heart.
Deal with each person as he deserves,
40 so that your people may obey you all the time
they live in the land which you gave to our
ancestors.
41-42 "When a foreigner who lives in a distant land
hears of your fame and of the great things you
have done for your people and comes to
worship you and to pray at this Temple,
43 listen to his prayer. In heaven, where you live,
hear him and do what he asks you to do, so
that all the peoples of the world may know you
and obey you, as your people Israel do.
Then they will know that this Temple I have
built is the place where you are to be
worshiped.
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Taken from 'word-on-the-web' supplied by the
Scripture Union
Solomon's prayer of dedication
1 Kings 8.22-43
This is one of the great prayers of Scripture.
As Solomon prays at the consecration of the Temple, he stretches out his hands towards heaven (v 22).
In a similar way, in our church we encourage people to stretch out their hands as a sign of openness to what God has for us, signifying humility and receptivity.
Solomon focuses on the faithfulness of God, who keeps his covenant promises out of his steadfast love (v 23).
The word translated in the ESV as 'covenant love' or 'steadfast love' is the Hebrew word hesed, reflecting a committed, loyal, reliable disposition - like one who keeps their end of the bargain.
When we pray, we pray to a reliable partner in this relationship.
God is trustworthy, not trying to hoodwink us or manipulate us, but granting mercy and grace.
In the recounting of God's promises throughout Israel's history, Solomon reminds the people of the nature of the God with whom the people covenant.
The Temple signified the presence of God on earth, but Solomon acknowledges that God cannot be confined to a building (v 27).
In ancient Israel, a house was considered dedicated when the resident came to live in it, so, when we read of God's Name being present, it is a sign of his enduring presence in the Temple and with the people.
It was in the context of God's residence in the Temple that disputes were settled (v 31) in the sight of God.
The Name was known outside Israel (vs 41-43) too, so the Temple served an evangelistic function as well.
Not only are foreigners to be treated with favour and grace, but should Israel go astray, Solomon asks for the same mercy.
The Temple then serves as a monument to grace, a reminder that when we too go astray there is one who welcomes us home with compassion and kindness.
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