22 Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven . 23 He said , "O Lord , the God of Israel , there is no God like You in heaven above e or on earth beneath e , keeping covenant and showing lovingkindness to Your servants who walk before You with all their heart , 24 who have kept with Your servant , my father David , that which You have promised him; indeed, You have spoken with Your mouth and have fulfilled it with Your hand as it is this day . 25 "Now therefore, O Lord , the God of Israel , keep with Your servant David my father that which You have promised him, saying , ' You shall not lack a man to sit on the throne of Israel , if only your sons take heed to their way to walk before Me as you have walked .' 26 "Now therefore, O God of Israel , let Your word , I pray , be confirmed which You have spoken to Your servant , my father David . 27 "But will God indeed dwell on the earth ? Behold , heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You, how much e less this house which I have built ! 28 "Yet have regard to the prayer of Your servant and to his supplication , O Lord my God , to listen to the cry and to the prayer which Your servant prays before You today ; 29 that Your eyes may be open toward this house night and day , toward the place of which You have said , 'My name shall be there ,' to listen to the prayer which Your servant shall pray toward this place . 30 " Listen to the supplication of Your servant and of Your people Israel , when they pray toward this place ; hear in heaven Your dwelling place ; hear and forgive . 31 " If a man sins against his neighbor and is made to take an oath , and he comes and takes an oath before Your altar in this house , 32 then hear in heaven and act and judge Your servants , condemning the wicked by bringing his way on his own head and justifying the righteous by giving him according to his righteousness . 33 " When Your people Israel are defeated before an enemy , because they have sinned against You, if they turn to You again and confess Your name and pray and make supplication to You in this house , 34 then hear in heaven , and forgive the sin of Your people Israel , and bring them back to the land which You gave to their fathers . 35 " When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain , because they have sinned against You, and they pray toward this place and confess Your name and turn from their sin when You afflict them,
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Kings 8:22-35
Commentary on 1 Kings 8:22-53
(Read 1 Kings 8:22-53)
In this excellent prayer, Solomon does as we should do in every prayer; he gives glory to God. Fresh experiences of the truth of God's promises call for larger praises. He sues for grace and favour from God. The experiences we have of God's performing his promises, should encourage us to depend upon them, and to plead them with him; and those who expect further mercies, must be thankful for former mercies. God's promises must be the guide of our desires, and the ground of our hopes and expectations in prayer. The sacrifices, the incense, and the whole service of the temple, were all typical of the Redeemer's offices, oblation, and intercession. The temple, therefore, was continually to be remembered. Under one word, "forgive," Solomon expressed all that he could ask in behalf of his people. For, as all misery springs from sin, forgiveness of sin prepares the way for the removal of every evil, and the receiving of every good. Without it, no deliverance can prove a blessing. In addition to the teaching of the word of God, Solomon entreated the Lord himself to teach the people to profit by all, even by their chastisements. They shall know every man the plague of his own heart, what it is that pains him; and shall spread their hands in prayer toward this house; whether the trouble be of body or mind, they shall represent it before God. Inward burdens seem especially meant. Sin is the plague of our own hearts; our in-dwelling corruptions are our spiritual diseases: every true Israelite endeavours to know these, that he may mortify them, and watch against the risings of them. These drive him to his knees; lamenting these, he spreads forth his hands in prayer. After many particulars, Solomon concludes with the general request, that God would hearken to his praying people. No place, now, under the gospel, can add to the prayers made in or towards it. The substance is Christ; whatever we ask in his name, it shall be given us. In this manner the Israel of God is established and sanctified, the backslider is recovered and healed. In this manner the stranger is brought nigh, the mourner is comforted, the name of God is glorified. Sin is the cause of all our troubles; repentance and forgiveness lead to all human happiness.