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, 36 then hear in heaven and forgive the sin of Your servants and of Your people Israel , indeed , teach them the good way in which they should walk . And send rain on Your land , which You have given Your people for an inheritance . 37 " If there is famine in the land , if there is pestilence , if there is blight or mildew , locust or grasshopper , if their enemy besieges them in the land of their cities , whatever plague , whatever sickness there is, 38 whatever e prayer or supplication is made by any man or by all Your people Israel , each knowing the affliction of his own heart , and spreading his hands toward this house ; 39 then hear in heaven Your dwelling place , and forgive and act and render to each according to all his ways , whose heart You know , for You alone know the hearts of all the sons of men , 40 that they may fear You all the days that they live in the land which You have given to our fathers . 41 "Also concerning the foreigner who is not of Your people Israel , when he comes from a far country for Your name's sake 42 (for they will hear of Your great name and Your mighty hand , and of Your outstretched arm ); when he comes and prays toward this house , 43 hear in heaven Your dwelling place , and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You, in order that all the peoples of the earth may know Your name , to fear You, as do Your people Israel , and that they may know that this house which I have built is called by Your name . 44 "When Your people go out to battle against their enemy , by whatever way You shall send them, and they pray to the Lord toward the city which You have chosen and the house which I have built for Your name , 45 then hear in heaven their prayer and their supplication , and maintain their cause . 46 "When they sin against You (for there is no man who does not sin ) and You are angry with them and deliver them to an enemy , so that they take them away captive to the land of the enemy , far off or near ;
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Kings 8:33-46
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.