SUMMARY
Solomon’s dedication of the newly constructed templeThe Jerusalem temple, unlike the tabernacle, was a permanent structure, although (like the tabernacle) it was a place of worship and religious activity. On one occasion Jesus felt such activity was unacceptable and, as reported in all four Gospels, drove from the temple those engaged... More centers upon his long dedicatory prayer (vv. 22-53) flanked by blessingBlessing is the asking for or the giving of God's favor. Isaac was tricked into blessing Jacob instead of his firstborn Esau. At the Last Supper Jesus offered a blessing over bread and wine. To be blessed is to be favored by God. More of the people (vv. 14-21, 54-61). It is introduced by the procession of the ark (vv. 1-11) and concludes with a great celebration (vv. 62-66).
ANALYSIS
The procession of the ark from private house, to tent built by David, to Solomon’s temple brings this theme to its conclusion.
The prayer itself is thoroughly Deuteronomistic and bristles with the theological points stressed in that tradition. It falls into two main parts: praise of God for loyalty to David (vv. 23-26) and petitions modeling the possibilities for prayer directed towards the temple. In praising God’s loyalty to his father, David, Solomon asks that God would fulfill the promise of a Davidic dynasty (2 Samuel 7:11b-16). The seven petitions may indicate completeness and they certainly are comprehensive: judicial disputes, defeat, drought, natural disaster, “foreign” prayer, battle, and exile. The first four concern matters inside Israel (1 Kings 8:31-40); the last three matters outside Israel (vv. 41-50). It is striking that in each instance Solomon asks that God would “hear in heaven” and then respond in appropriate ways.
The theme of hearing in or from “heaven” (vv. 32, 34, 36, 39, 43, 45, 49) lifts up the important idea that Solomon never asks God to hear from the “temple,” supposedly God’s “house.” God cannot be contained in a “house.” The divine transcendence is maintained without compromising the proximity needed in the prayer. God’s “forgiveness” also repeats a number of times (vv. 30, 34, 36, 39, 50). But this forgiveness is always predicated upon one’s prayer, confession, or repentance, stressing that the temple is a place of prayer at least as much as it is a place of sacrificeSacrifice is commonly understood as the practice of offering or giving up something as a sign of worship, commitment, or obedience. In the Old Testament grain, wine, or animals are used as sacrifice. In some New Testament writings Jesus' death on the cross as the... More.
