1 Kings 8:48

Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication · 1 Kings 8:22–53
Read 1 Kings 8

Translations

Modern
…and when they return to You with all their heart and soul in the land of the enemies who took them captive, and when they pray to You in the direction of the land that You gave to their fathers, the city You have chosen, and the house I have built for Your Name,
Traditional
And so return unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, which led them away captive, and pray unto thee toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name:
Literal
…and they return to You with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their enemies who led them away captive, and they pray to You toward their land that You gave to their fathers, the city that You have chosen, and the house that I have built for Your name,
Latin
…et reversi fuerint ad te in universo corde suo et tota anima sua in terra inimicorum suorum, ad quam captivi ducti fuerint: et oraverint te contra viam terræ suæ, quam dedisti patribus eorum, et civitatis quam elegisti, et templi quod ædificavi nomini tuo:

Original

Hebrew
English
…and when they return to You with all their heart and soul in the land of the enemies who took them captive, and when they pray to You in the direction of the land that You gave to their fathers, the city You have chosen, and the house I have built for Your Name,

Notes

Solomon prayed about a future time when Israel might be taken captive (Leviticus 26:33). He asked that if the people truly repented and admitted their sins, God would listen, forgive them, and help them find favor with their captors (Leviticus 26:40–45; 2 Kings 25:27–30; Daniel 6:10; 9:3–19).

Solomon asked God to listen to his people's prayers from the temple. He mentioned specific situations where they would need God's help.

Solomon's prayer of dedication for the temple praised God and blessed the people. He highlighted God's faithfulness to His promises and his own part in building the temple. Solomon prayed for God to keep answering their prayers (1 Kings 8:22–30). He then made seven specific requests to God (1 Kings 8:31–53) and ended with a blessing (1 Kings 8:54–61).

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).

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.

Events

Parallels

2 Chronicles 6:12–42

Glossary

Book of Jashar Kings, Books of First and Second Solomon (Person) Temple

Topics

Afflictions and Adversities: Benefits of Afflictions and Adversities: Design of Afflictions and Adversities: Prayer In Backsliders: Promises To Blessing: Temporal, Prayer For Dedication: Subjects of Temple of Solomon Intercession: Additional Instances of Solomon, for Israel National Sins: should be Confessed Repentance: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Sin: Forgiveness of the First Temple: Solemnly Dedicated to God by Solomon