Solomon, the son of David and Bathsheba, is renowned for his wisdom and his role as the builder of the First Temple in Jerusalem. His public prayer during the dedication of the Temple is one of the most significant examples of public prayer in the Bible, reflecting both his deep reverence for God and his understanding of Israel's covenant relationship with the Almighty.

The Dedication of the Temple

The account of Solomon's public prayer is found in 1 Kings 8 and 2 Chronicles 6. After completing the construction of the Temple, Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, the heads of the tribes, and the leaders of the families to bring the Ark of the Covenant into the newly built Temple. This event marked a pivotal moment in Israel's history, as the Temple became the central place of worship for the nation.

Solomon's Prayer

Solomon's prayer is a profound expression of worship, thanksgiving, and supplication. Standing before the altar of the LORD in the presence of the entire assembly of Israel, Solomon spread out his hands toward heaven and began his prayer. He acknowledged God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises to David, Solomon's father. In 1 Kings 8:23 , Solomon declares, "O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like You, in heaven above or on earth below, keeping Your covenant of loving devotion with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts."

Solomon's prayer is characterized by several key elements:

1. Recognition of God's Sovereignty and Faithfulness: Solomon begins by acknowledging God's unique nature and His covenantal faithfulness. He praises God for fulfilling His promise to David, emphasizing that the Temple is a testament to God's steadfast love and reliability.

2. Petitions for Divine Presence and Forgiveness: Solomon requests that God's eyes be open toward the Temple day and night, that He may hear the prayers offered in that place. He asks for God's forgiveness and intervention in various situations, such as when Israel sins, faces defeat, or experiences drought and famine. In 1 Kings 8:30 , Solomon pleads, "May You hear the plea of Your servant and Your people Israel when they pray toward this place. May You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place. May You hear and forgive."

3. Intercession for the People: Solomon intercedes on behalf of the people of Israel, asking God to maintain justice, provide for their needs, and forgive their transgressions. He recognizes the human propensity to sin and the necessity of divine mercy and grace.

4. Inclusivity of Foreigners: Notably, Solomon's prayer includes a petition for foreigners who come to the Temple to seek the LORD. In 1 Kings 8:41-43 , he prays that God would hear the prayers of foreigners so that "all the peoples of the earth may know Your name and fear You, as do Your people Israel."

5. Covenant Relationship: Throughout the prayer, Solomon emphasizes the covenant relationship between God and Israel. He acknowledges that the people's prosperity and security are contingent upon their faithfulness to God's commandments.

Theological Significance

Solomon's public prayer at the Temple dedication is a profound theological statement about the nature of God, the importance of worship, and the role of the Temple as a place of divine-human encounter. It underscores the themes of covenant, repentance, and the universality of God's kingdom. Solomon's prayer serves as a model for public prayer, highlighting the importance of humility, reverence, and a heart aligned with God's will.2 Chronicles 6:1-42
Then said Solomon, The LORD has said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

How Solomon Removed the Ark into the Temple How He Made ...
... How He Made Supplication To God, And Offered Public Sacrifices To ... do thou then pardon
them, and hear their prayer. ... 4. When Solomon had said this, and had cast ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 how solomon removed.htm

Christians, Temples of the Living God
... and to sit or dwell between the cherubims; and when Solomon first dedicated it ... which
the minister, in the conclusion of every day's public prayer, entreats the ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/christians temples of the living.htm

Prayer Takes in the Whole Man
... Solomon kneeled in prayer at the dedication of the temple. ... in home and in business,
in public as well ... is godly men who give over themselves entirely to prayer. ...
/.../bounds/the essentials of prayer/i prayer takes in the.htm

Solomon
... to see in every difficulty a call to prayer. ... For many years Solomon's life was marked
with devotion ... and wisdom, the magnificent buildings and public works that ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 1 solomon.htm

Articles of Religion.
... Psalms, The Proverbs, Ecclesiastes or Preacher, Cantica or Songs of Solomon, Four
Prophets ... and the custom of the primitive Church, to have public prayer in the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/articles of religion.htm

Prayer and Humility
... prayed, though banned by the public and receiving ... one of the unchanging and exacting
attitudes of prayer. ... ashes." With what humility does Solomon appear before ...
/.../bounds/the essentials of prayer/ii prayer and humility.htm

The Great Fruits Produced by the Above-Mentioned Prayer. The ...
... and silence, like the building of Solomon's Temple where ... may be that He wished to
make public (for some ... mentioned of the different degrees of prayer, are given ...
/.../teresa/the interior castle or the mansions/chapter iii the great fruits.htm

Articles of Religion of the Reformed Episcopal Church in America. ...
... Song of Solomon,. ... It is also repugnant to the Word of God to have public prayer in
the Church, or to minister the ordinances, in a tongue not understood by the ...
/.../articles of religion of the.htm

Following Christ
... "Happy is the man," says Solomon, "that feareth ... of ourselves together, as the manner
of some is; not neglecting either private or public prayer; using what ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/following christ.htm

The Irish Articles of Religion. AD 1615.
... The Song of Solomon. ... 72. To have public prayer in the Church, or to administer the
Sacraments in a tongue not understood of the people, is a thing plainly ...
/.../the irish articles of religion.htm

Why is daily prayer important? | GotQuestions.org

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What are the different types of prayer? | GotQuestions.org

Prayer: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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