1 Kings 8:12

Translations

Modern

Then Solomon declared: “The LORD has said that He would dwell in the thick cloud.

Traditional

Then spake Solomon, The Lord said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.

Literal

Then spoke Solomon: “YHWH has said He would dwell in the dark cloud.

Latin

Tunc ait Salomon: Dominus dixit ut habitaret in nebula.

Original

Hebrew

English

Then Solomon declared: “The LORD has said that He would dwell in the thick cloud.

Notes

1 Kings 8:12–13

thick cloud: Solomon saw the cloud filling the inner sanctuary as a sign of God's presence. However, he knew that God could not be confined to a human-made temple (see 1 Kings 8:27). Solomon completed his task to build the temple (1 Kings 8:19; 1 Chronicles 28:10), trusting the promises that God would live in the sanctuary (see Exodus 15:17).

1 Kings 8:12–21

Solomon started with a prayer (1 Kings 8:12–13), then blessed the people and praised God for keeping his promises (8:14–21). Like many praise psalms, Solomon honored God, humbled himself, and spoke of God's great goodness.

1 Kings 8:1–66

Solomon's building efforts peaked when he moved the ark to the new temple. The king prayed (1 Kings 8:22–53) and offered praise and blessings (8:56–61) to dedicate the temple to the Lord. After the dedication, the people celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles. The story highlights Solomon praising God and blessing the people (1 Kings 8:12–61).

1 Kings 6:1–8:66

The construction of the Temple and palace complex, along with the temple's dedication celebration, are key events in the 1 Kings account of Solomon's time. The temple, built to honor God, was Israel's most important building. Therefore, the writer of 1 Kings documented its construction details thoroughly.

Theme notes and profiles

Solomon Completion of the Second Temple Darkness and Light The Church as God’s Temple

Events

Reign of Solomon

Related verses

Psalm 97:2
Clouds and darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are His throne’s foundation.
2 Chronicles 6:1–11
Then Solomon declared: “The LORD has said that He would dwell in the thick cloud.
Leviticus 16:2
And the LORD said to Moses: “Tell your brother Aaron not to enter freely into the Most Holy Place behind the veil in front of the mercy seat on the ark, or else he will die, because I appear in the cloud above the mercy seat.
Isaiah 45:15
Truly You are a God who hides Himself, O God of Israel, the Savior.
Psalm 18:8–11
Smoke rose from His nostrils, and consuming fire came from His mouth; glowing coals blazed forth.
Exodus 20:21
And the people stood at a distance as Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.
Hebrews 12:18
For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom, and storm;
Deuteronomy 4:11
You came near and stood at the base of the mountain, a mountain blazing with fire to the heavens, with black clouds and deep darkness.
Deuteronomy 5:22
The LORD spoke these commandments in a loud voice to your whole assembly out of the fire, the cloud, and the deep darkness on the mountain; He added nothing more. And He wrote them on two tablets of stone and gave them to me.

Parallels

2 Chronicles 6:1–11

People

Solomon: Son of David, king of Israel, known for his wisdom

Glossary

Book of Jashar Darkness House of God Kings, Books of First and Second Shekinah

Topics

Darkness the Following Scriptures Darkness: Greatness and Unsearchableness of God Dedication: Subjects of Temple of Solomon God: Incomprehensible God: Invisible God: Symbolized by the Darkness of the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle God: Unsearchable Symbols and Similitudes: Darkness, of God's Inscrutability the First Temple: Solemnly Dedicated to God by Solomon

1 Kings 8:12

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