The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Kings — Section 185

EXPOSITION. CHAPTER IX. 1-9. Lord and in his own house." Ilut it is by no means certain that our author intended THE ANSWEB TO SOLOMON'S PRAYED.- the word to be thus restricted ; it is quite This chapter opens with an acconnt of possible, e.g., that some of the buildings men- God's second appearance to Solomon. It tioned below (vers. 15-19) are to he included. must not be supposed, however, from the But another question of much graaterimport- ance presents itself here. In the Divine apparent close connexion of this relation communication of vers. 3-9 there is constant with the preceding narrative, that it stands and unmistakeable reference to the prayer to it in equally close chronological order. of dedication (see especially ver. 3) ; in fact, It probably finds e. ple.ce here because the this message is the answer to that prayer. It historian has grouped together all the has been held, consequently, that the answer must have followed, if not immediately, yet suitable materials in hie possession which soon after the petitions were uttered; if so, related to the temple. But eoe on ver 1. the dedication must clearly have taken Ver. 1.-And it ea.me to pass when place, not on the completion of the temple Solomon had finished the building of the (chap. vi. 38), but on the completion of the house o! the Lord, and the king's house palace, &c. ; mother words, the temple must [eh. Yi.i. 1], and all Solomon's desire have been finished fully thirteen years before which he was pleased to do [By " dcsii:e " it was consecrated and occupied. Rawlinson we are not to understand " pleasure build- suggests that the delay we.a perhaps occa- ings" (cf. vere. 10, 19). The chronicler sioned by the circumstance that the furni- gives the true meaning; "all that came ture of the temple was not till then ready; into Solomon's heart." It is, however, but eh. vi. 38, Heb., seems to state distinotly somewhat doubtful what works are com- that all the vessels and appointments of prehended under this term. 2 Chron. tha sanctuary were finished at the date vii. 11 limits it to the two great erec- there given. Ree.sons have been given tions already described-" all that came elsewhere (eeo note on eh. viii. 1) in euppori into his heart to make in the house of the of the position that the dedication oanno, OB, lX, 1-9,] THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS. 186