The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Kings — Section 186

possibly have been delayed for so long a word) "by my glory." In 2 Chron. we read, period, especie.Ily after the strenuous efforts "I have chosen this place to myself for a which had been made to hurry on the under- house of sacrifice," where, however, it is taking, Nor does the text, when carefully worth considering whether instead of the examined, really require this hypothesis; somewhat singular n:Jt n•:J the original text indeed, it suggests some reasons for thinking may not have been S:Jt n•:J, as in eh. viii. that a considerable period mos~ have inter- 13] to put my name there [eh. viii. 29; vened between the prayer and the response. cf. vers. 16, 17, 18, 19; also Deut. xii. 11 ; For the tone of this response is unmistake- Luke xi 12] for ever [eh. viii. 13. As ably foreboding, if not minatory. Vera. 6-9 Solomon offered it, so God accepted it, in contain a stem warning. But there was perpetuity. That the house was subse- nothing, so far as we know, in the attitude quently "left desolate" and destroyed (2 of Solomon or of Isru.el at the time of the Kings xxv. 9) was because of the national dedication to ce.Il for any such denunciation. apostasy (vers. 8, 9)], and mine eyes and At that time, as the prayer surely proves, mine heart shall be there perpetually. [In Solomon's heart was perfect with the Lord oh. viii. 29 Solomon asked that God's "eyes his God. But the response has unmis- may be open . . . towards the house." Tho takeably the appearance of having been e.nsweris that not only His eyes shall be open, elicited by signs of defection. The wide but eyes and heart she.Il be there (Ephes. difference, consequently, between the spirit iii. 20; see Homiletics on eh. iii. 5) ;-the of the prayer and the tone of the answer eye to watch, the heart to cherish it.] suggests that some time must have elapsed Ver. 4.-A.nd [Heb. And thou, emphatic] between them, and so far supports the view 1f 1.hou wilt walk before me as DaVid thy that the dedication was not delayed until father walked, in integrity of heart before the palace, &c., was completed. And it is me and in uprightness [cf. eh. iii. 6, 14; xi. also to be remembered that the prayer of 34. David was not perfect, as our author dedication had not been without acknow- tells us elsewhere (eh. xv. 5; cf. eh. i. 6; ledgment at the time. The exc~llent glory 2 So.m. xxiv. 10). His integrity consisted which filled and took possesB1on of the in his unvarying loyalty to the true God. house was itself a significant e.nd sufficient Even when overcome by that fierce tempta- response. No voice or vision could have tion (2 Sam. xi.) be never faltered in his said more plainly, "I have heard thy prayer, allegiance to the truth. There wo.s no I have hallowed this house." But when, coq netting with idolatrous practices ; cf. Pso.. some thirteen years later-about the very xviii. 20-24],to do according to all that time, that is, when he was at the height of I have commanded thee, and wilt keep his prosperity, and when, owing to the com- my statutes and my Judgments [the echo pletion of his undertakings, we might fear of David's last words, eh. ii. 3, 4. It is prob- lest his heart should be lifted up with pride- able, however, that the historinn ho.s only when Solomon and his court began to de- preserved the substance of the message. It cline in piety and to go after other gods, then is doubtful whether Solomon himseli would this merciful message opportunely refers him remember the exact words]: to the prayer whioh he was in danger of for- Ver. 6.-Then I will establish [se.me getting, and warns him of the consequences word ns in eh. ii. 4, where see note. Surely of the apostasy to which he was tending.) he would remember this word ,is it would. Ver. 2.-That the Lord appeared to recall his father's charge to his mind] the Solomon the second time [see on eh. vi. 11, throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for and cf. xi. 9 ; Solomon had received a ever [this is the answer to the prayer of message during the building of the temple], eh. viii. 26] as I promised to DaVid t!J.y as he had appeared unto h1m at Gibeon father, saying, There shall not fill thee [i.e., in a dream (eh. iii. 5)]. a. man upon the throne of Israel. [:l So.m. Ver. 3.-And the Lord said unto h1m vii. 12, 16; 1 Kings ii. 4; vi. 12; Pso.. o=xii. [This message is given at greater length in 12. But the primary reference is to eh. viii. 2 Chron. vii. 12-22. Vers. 13, 14, e.g., 25; see Introduction, sect. III.] contain a reference to that part of the prayer Ver. 6.-But if ye shall at all [raihcr which related to drought and ro.in], I have altogether, or asmredly] turn f'rom followtng heard thy prayer and thy supplication me [The A. V. entirely misrepresents the [These two words a.re found ~imilarly united force of the Hebraism, If to turn, ye shall in Solomon's prayer, vers. 38, 45, 54], that tu1-n, which must meun complete, notpartiul, thou hast made [lleb. supplicated] before apostasy. Cf. 2 Chron. vii. 19, nnd 2 Sam. me• I have hallowed th.1:1 house which vii. 14, 15], ye or your children [as the tho~ hast built [sc. by the manifestation promises of God nre to us anu. onr children described oh. viii. 11. Of. Exod. xxix. 43: . (Acts ii. 39), so rue His threatening8], and " the 1a.bemaole she.ll be aanctijied" {BIU!le will not keep my commandments anci my  186 THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS. [OH. IX, 1-9,