Solomon Petitions God For His People
February 21, 2020
Commentary
In this whole prayer (vv. 23-53) Solomon called on God, who had been faithful to His promises in the past, to continue to be faithful to his people in the future. Solomon prayed for needs with confidence that those who sinned, were defeated, and those who had need would bring their cares to the Temple. He also acknowledged that the care of Israel was God’s responsibility: “They are Thy people and Thine inheritance which Thou has brought forth from Egypt” (1:51). The only thing that would result in God hearing His people’s prayers was the confession and forsaking of sin.
When Israel first entered the promised land they were ordered to clear out the wicked nations and thus many wars followed. However, we should not conclude that this was Israel’s ultimate goal. Instead, after subduing these evil people Israel was to become a light to the surrounding nations. Unfortunately, Israel’s own sin and spiritual blindness prevented them from reaching out to the rest of the world with God’s love.
Now we find Solomon interceding on behalf of non-Israelites who would trust in God and pray to Him (vv. 41-43). The Temple was to be the worship site for all God-fearing foreigners just as Moses had allowed foreigners to bring their offerings to the tabernacle (Num. 15:14).
Application
Even though God is a God of judgment He is also a God of mercy and reaches out to anyone and everyone who will trust Him. I need to be careful that I am trusting in the Lord and not on the things this world has to offer? Lord. Teach me how to Pray with sincerity like the little girl and not with theological eloquence.
1 Kings 8:41– 53 (NET)
41 “Foreigners, who do not belong to your people Israel, will come from a distant land because of your reputation. 42 When they hear about your great reputation and your ability to accomplish mighty deeds, they will come and direct their prayers toward this temple. 43 Then listen from your heavenly dwelling place and answer all the prayers of the foreigners. Then all the nations of the earth will acknowledge your reputation, obey you as your people Israel do, and recognize that this temple I built belongs to you.
44 “When you direct your people to march out and fight their enemies, and they direct their prayers to the Lord toward his chosen city and this temple I built for your honor, 45 then listen from heaven to their prayers for help and vindicate them.
46 “The time will come when your people will sin against you (for there is no one who is sinless!) and you will be angry with them and deliver them over to their enemies, who will take them as prisoners to their own land, whether far away or close by. 47 When your people come to their senses in the land where they are held prisoner, they will repent and beg for your mercy in the land of their imprisonment, admitting, ‘We have sinned and gone astray; we have done evil.’ 48 When they return to you with all their heart and being in the land where they are held prisoner, and direct their prayers to you toward the land you gave to their ancestors, your chosen city, and the temple I built for your honor, 49 then listen from your heavenly dwelling place to their prayers for help and vindicate them. 50 Forgive all the rebellious acts of your sinful people and cause their captors to have mercy on them. 51 After all, they are your people and your special possession whom you brought out of Egypt, from the middle of the iron-smelting furnace.
52 “May you be attentive to your servant’s and your people Israel’s requests for help and may you respond to all their prayers to you. 53 After all, you picked them out of all the nations of the earth to be your special possession, just as you, O Sovereign Lord, announced through your servant Moses when you brought our ancestors out of Egypt.”