Journey Through The Scriptures

First Kings 8 is one of the Bible’s longer chapters, but it will richly repay your careful study. The magnificent prayer offered by Solomon at the dedication of the first Temple is a model prayer from which we can learn much in terms of how to express our praise and petitions to God. The centerpiece of this great ceremony was the transporting of the Ark of the Covenant from the tabernacle David had built for it (2 Samuel 6:17) to its installation in the Temple between the golden cherubim. We can only imagine the joy the Israelites felt as the Ark was carried through the streets of Jerusalem to its new home.

God had chosen to place His “Name,” standing for all that He is, in Jerusalem, and the Temple would be a holy sanctuary for His presence. Solomon praised God for keeping His promise to allow David’s son to build Him a temple, and made requests for God’s presence, protection, forgiveness, mercy, and victory for Israel. The number of sacrifices offered is mind-boggling, but was well within Solomon’s ability to provide. The Temple dedication coincided with the Feast of Tabernacles, which was celebrated for two weeks instead of one in honor of this great occasion.