By Jay T. Robertson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Systematic Theology, University of Mobile
REPENTANCE
1 Kings 8:46–60
The Ark of the Covenant had arrived in the temple (8:1–13), and Solomon had spoken to the people about the meaning of the event (8:14–21). Solomon then addressed God, reflecting on the nature of God’s “dwelling” in the temple and offering a sevenfold petitionary prayer for those who would approach Him in the temple.
This prayer is important for understanding 1 and 2 Kings as a whole. The temple was an important building, but God cannot be confined by a building, nor is He dependent on a building.
God will survive the temple’s destruction, and He will hear the prayers of His people when they go into exile. Similarly, obedience to the law is very important, but Solomon held on to hope for restoration, even when the people failed to obey.
In Exile (46–48)
In the seventh and last petition, Solomon returned to an idea he mentioned in verse 34. He referred to the ultimate punishment God could use against Israel, expulsion from the land He promised to give His people as a sign of their favored status.
The seventh petition was given the longest treatment since it was most relevant to the original readers in exile. Remember, 1 and 2 Kings were written for people who lost the land in the very manner Solomon described. For them, this seventh petition was a call to repentance and prayer. It also provided hope the exile was not God’s final word for Israel. They could return to the promised land if they would return to the Lord Who gave them the land.
God Hears (49–53)
Solomon appealed to God to forgive His people of their sins and to cause their captors to show compassion. He concluded his prayer as he had begun, with hope for the present and the future based on the Lord’s covenant loyalty to Israel.
Solomon prayed the Lord would pay careful attention to his requests because God had “set them apart from all the peoples of the earth” and sealed the relationship through Moses’ teachings and the exodus. Solomon believed Israel’s past was a testimony of God’s amazing grace, and any future benefits the people would receive must also come from their merciful Lord.
In this prayer, we learn many truths about God and His people. First, God was not surprised by the sin of His people. Second, God did not take sin lightly. Third, God prearranged the solution for His people’s sin problem. The temple was a witness to the provision God made in advance. Fourth, confession of sin must never be superficial. Repentance involved not only acknowledging sin, but also turning from it. Fifth, the situation would never be hopeless because God was a God who heard His people when they called out to Him. The Lord would not only hear, but He would also forgive and restore.
Blessing Offered (54–60)
Solomon began the prayer standing before the altar of the Lord. Apparently under the weightiness of his petitions, he bowed down on his knees. At the conclusion of his prayer, Solomon stood, turned his attention to the people and blessed them.
He reminded them of God’s faithfulness. God promised He would give His people rest in their own land. This was a special promise for a people whose entire history was marked by pilgrimage, captivity, wandering and war. The rest meant they would live at peace in their own land. This promise was realized in the days of Solomon.
Solomon concluded by asking God to dwell with His people so His people would live obediently before Him. He also requested the Lord to hear his prayer so Israel’s lifestyle of worship and obedience would lead other nations to know the Lord is God.
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