Matthew Poole's Commentary Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house. Fire from heaven, and a glory in the temple, witness the Divine acceptance: the people worship, 2 Chronicles 7:1-3. Solomon’s solemn sacrifice, 2 Chronicles 7:4-7. Having kept the feast of tabernacles, and the feast of the dedication of the altar, he dismisseth the people, 2 Chronicles 1:8-11. God appeareth to Solomon; promiseth his favour on obedience; else threateneth grievous judgments, 1 Chronicles 7:12-22. The fire came down from heaven, in token of God’s acceptance of his prayer. See Poole "Leviticus 9:24"; See Poole "1 Kings 18:38", &c. The glory of the Lord, i.e. the cloud, which was the sign of God’s glorious and gracious presence. And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD'S house. No text from Poole on this verse. And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. The cloud first came down upon the house, and then entered into the house, and was seen both within it by the priests, and without it by the people. Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the LORD. No text from Poole on this verse. And king Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty and two thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep: so the king and all the people dedicated the house of God. No text from Poole on this verse. And the priests waited on their offices: the Levites also with instruments of musick of the LORD, which David the king had made to praise the LORD, because his mercy endureth for ever, when David praised by their ministry; and the priests sounded trumpets before them, and all Israel stood. When David praised by their ministry; for David composed the psalms or hymns, 1 Chronicles 16:7, and appointed them to be sung by the Levites, and instrumental music to be joined to their voices. Moreover Solomon hallowed the middle of the court that was before the house of the LORD: for there he offered burnt offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings, because the brasen altar which Solomon had made was not able to receive the burnt offerings, and the meat offerings, and the fat. Of this and verses 8-10, See Poole "1 Kings 8:61", etc. Also at the same time Solomon kept the feast seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt. No text from Poole on this verse. And in the eighth day they made a solemn assembly: for they kept the dedication of the altar seven days, and the feast seven days. No text from Poole on this verse. And on the three and twentieth day of the seventh month he sent the people away into their tents, glad and merry in heart for the goodness that the LORD had shewed unto David, and to Solomon, and to Israel his people. No text from Poole on this verse. Thus Solomon finished the house of the LORD, and the king's house: and all that came into Solomon's heart to make in the house of the LORD, and in his own house, he prosperously effected. No text from Poole on this verse. And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice. No text from Poole on this verse. If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; If I command the locusts, i.e. use my authority and power over them to cause them to do so. A metaphor elsewhere used in reference to unreasonable creatures, as 1 Kings 17:4 Amos 9:3, who are not properly capable of a command, or of obedience. If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. No text from Poole on this verse. Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place. Or, that shall be made in or towards this place; for he speaks of the answers which he will give to the prayers which shall be made here. Heb. of this place. For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually. Of this verse and the rest of this chapter, See Poole "1 Kings 9:3", &c. And as for thee, if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, and do according to all that I have commanded thee, and shalt observe my statutes and my judgments; No text from Poole on this verse. Then will I stablish the throne of thy kingdom, according as I have covenanted with David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man to be ruler in Israel. No text from Poole on this verse. But if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them; No text from Poole on this verse. Then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have sanctified for my name, will I cast out of my sight, and will make it to be a proverb and a byword among all nations. No text from Poole on this verse. And this house, which is high, shall be an astonishment to every one that passeth by it; so that he shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and unto this house? No text from Poole on this verse. And it shall be answered, Because they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, and laid hold on other gods, and worshipped them, and served them: therefore hath he brought all this evil upon them. No text from Poole on this verse. |
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