1The feast of the dedication of the temple; the ark is brought into the holy place. 10A cloud filleth the house. 12Solomon blesseth God for the performance of his word to David. 22His prayer. 31, 33, 35, 37, 41, 44The special petitions contained in it. 54He again blesseth God, and the people. 62His sacrifice of peace offerings. 65After the feast the people go joyful home.
1THEN Solomon assembleda1the elders of Israel, and all the 2heads of the tribes, the chief 3of the fathers of the children of Israel, 4unto king Solomon in Jerusalem, that they might 5bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD outb of 6the city of David, which is Zion.
a 2 Chron. 5:2.
1 See Lev. 4 on verse 15.
2 See Num. 1 on verses 4, 16.
3 Each tribe of the Israelites consisted of certain households or families, which had each in particular their chief fathers. Besides these, there were in every tribe captains over hundreds, over thousands, etc., whose most important and most principal persons are here to be understood. Compare Exod. 18:21; Num. 3:24, 30, 35; 1 Chron. 4:38.
4 That is, unto him, according to the Hebrew phrase. See 1 Kings 2 on verse 19.
5 Namely, into the temple; into which, because it was built upon mount Moriah, they were to ascend by steps or stairs.
b 2 Sam. 5:9; 6:12, 17.
6 Which David had taken, build upon, and inhabited. See 1 Kings 2 on verse 10.
2And all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto king Solomon at 7the feast in the month 8Ethanim, which is 9the seventh month.
7 Meaning: the feast of dedication, going before the feasts of tabernacles. See below verse 65 and of the feasts of tabernacles, Lev. 23:34; Deut. 16:13; 2 Chron. 5:3.
8 This month agrees mostly with our September. It is called Ethanim, that is, of strong, or of strengths; because (as some perceive) in it the fruits of the land were gathered in, which are as the strength of the earth, ordained by God to preserve and strengthen the life of man.
9 Namely, according to the account of ecclesiastical months ordained by God, Exod. 12:2. Otherwise, before the departure of the Israelites out of Egypt, this month was the first, namely, of the civil year.
3And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the 10ark.
10 Which was at this time at Jerusalem, 2 Chron. 1:4.
4And they brought up the ark of the LORD, 11and the tabernacle of the congregation, and all the 12holy vessels that were in the tabernacle, even those did 13the priests and the Levites bring up.
11 Which was at this time at Gibeon with the brasen altar made by Bezaleel in the wilderness, 2 Chron. 1:3, 5.
12 Hebr. vessels of holiness, that is, which were ordained for an holy use. See Lev. 16 on verse 4.
13 Namely, with this difference, that the priests carried the ark and the holy vessels, but the Levites the tent of the congregation, with its appurtenances. Compare the annotation at Num. 4 on verse 15.
5And king Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel, that were assembled unto him, were 14with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen, that could not be told nor numbered for multitude.
14 Namely, with king Solomon. Other, went with him before the ark. Understand, that the offerings here mentioned, were here and there offered on the way through which the ark was carried. Compare 2 Sam. 6:13.
6And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD unto his place, into the oracle 15of the house, to the most holy place, even under the wings of the 16cherubims.
15 That is, of the temple.
16 Which Solomon had caused to be made, and were much bigger than those which Moses had caused to be made in the wilderness. See Exod. 25:20; 1 Kings 6:27.
7For the cherubims spread forth their two wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubims covered the ark and the 17staves thereof above.
17 By which the ark was to be carried, Exod. 25:14.
8And they 18drew out the staves, that the 19ends of the staves were seen 20out in the holy place before the oracle, and they were not seen 21without: and there they are 22unto this day.
18 Hebr. lengthened them, namely, by drawing them longer and further out; for, to take them quite out, was forbidden by God, Exod. 25:15. See Num. 4 on verse 6.
19 Or, the heads.
20 That is, by those who were in that part of the temple, which was more outward, called the holy place. It is said in 2 Chron. 5:9 that they were seen out of the ark, which is not so to be understood, as if the ark had been seen, but the meaning is, that the outmost ends of the staves, which came forth out of the ark, showed themselves in the holy place, namely, not bare, but covered with the veil.
21 Namely, the holy place.
22 Namely, when this book was written.
923There was nothing in the ark 24save the two tables of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb, whenc the LORD made 25a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.
23 See Deut. 10:5.
24 The apostle’s words, whereby he seems to say Heb. 9:4 that there were also in the ark the golden pot with manna and Aaron’s rod that budded; this must thus be understood, that they were in the same place of the tabernacle where the ark stood, yea were by it, Exod. 16:34; Num. 17:10. As the word in is often taken for by; as Joshua 5:13; 10:10, etc., yea, even here in this verse in Horeb, for, at Horeb.
c Exod. 34:27.
25 The like phrase, wherein this word is concealed yet to be understood, we find in 1 Sam. 20:16; 2 Chron. 5:10.
10And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the 26holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD,
26 That is, the front part of the temple, Exod. 26:33; 28:43.
11Sod that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the 27glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.
d Exod. 40:34, 35; 2 Chron. 7:2.
27 That is, the cloud, wherein God appeared to the Israelites. Compare Exod. 16:10; 24:16; 40:34, 35; Num. 16:19; 2 Chron. 5:13, 14; 7:1, 2, 3.
12¶Then spake Solomon, Thee LORD 28said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.
e Exod. 20:21; Lev. 16:2, Deut. 4:11; 5:22; 2 Chron. 6:1.
28 That is, He declared that He would manifest His presence by such a visible token as the cloud, or the darkness was. See Lev. 16:2; which He also oftentimes did. See the annotation on the previous verse. Likewise Exod. 13:22; 14:16; 19:16; 20:21. Num. 9:15.
13I have 29surely built thee an house 30to dwell in, a 31settled place for thee to abide in 32for ever.
29 Hebr. building built; that is, I have surely, or certainly, or entirely built, or I have fully built.
30 Namely, wherein Thou wilt dwell with Thy people by Thy Word, and by the visible tokens of Thy grace. Also 2 Chron. 6:2.
31 Or, prepared place.
32 Understand this everlastingness of the time of the law; and see Gen. 13 on verse 15. Here is to be added the condition of obedience, which the Israelites did owe unto God, that this word would continue firm and steadfast. See 1 Kings 6:12, 13; 9:4. Psalm 89:28, 29, 30.
14And the king turned his face about, and 33blessed all the congregation of Israel: (and all the congregation of Israel stood;)
33 That is, wished the congregation of the Lord all prosperity both in soul and body. Also verse 55. Compare Num. 6:23; Psalm 118:26. Others understand this thus, that the king with the entire congregation blessed God, that is, thanked and praised; to this end admitting the word God into the text.
15And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which spake 34with his mouth unto David my father, and hath with his hand fulfilled it, saying,
34 That is, by the prophet Nathan, 2 Sam. 7:6; 1 Chron. 17:4. The prophets are as it were the mouth of God, because His Word is in their mouth, Exod. 4:12; 1 Kings 17:24; Isa. 51:16; Jer. 5:14.
16Sincef the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, 35I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build an house, 36that my name might be therein; but I chose David to be over my people Israel.
f 2 Sam. 7:6; 2 Chron. 6:5.
35 That is, I did not manifest My choice nor put it in practice. So the word to choose is taken for the execution of the choice, Deut. 12:11; 2 Chron. 6:5; Zech. 2:12, for, Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world, Acts 15:18.
36 That is, that My doctrine is heard, the worship, instituted by Me, be administered, the people, that is called by my Name, meet together, and My Spirit likewise powerfully work there. Compare verse 29; Deut. 12:11; 1 Kings 14:21; 2 Kings 21:4; 2 Chron. 6:6; Psalm 132:13, 14.
1737And itg was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.
37 That is, he purposed. See similar phrase 1 Sam. 14:7; 2 Sam. 7:3; 1 Kings 10:2; 1 Chron. 17:2; 22:7. Compare the annotation at 1 Kings 5 on verse 5.
g 2 Sam. 7:2; 1 Chron. 17:1; 2 Chron. 6:7.
18And the LORD said unto David my father, Whereas it was in thine heart to build an house unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thine heart.
19Nevertheless thou shalt not build the house; but thy son that shall come forth 38out of thy loins, he shall build the house unto my name.
38 See Gen. 35 on verse 11.
20And the LORD hath performed his word that he spake, and I am risen up in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.
21And I have set there a place for the ark, wherein is 39the covenant of the LORD, which he made with our fathers, when he brought them out of the land of Egypt.
39 That is, the tables of the covenant, or of the testimony; understand the laws of the covenant, according to which the covenant was made, which were written in two tables of stone. Compare Deut. 31 on verse 26.
22¶Andh Solomon 40stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and 41spread forth his hands toward heaven:
h 2 Chron. 6:12.
40 Namely, upon the brasen and exalted scaffold, which was in the peoples’ court, over against the altar of burnt offering, which he could see from his seat. See hereof, 2 Kings 11:14; 23:3; 2 Chron. 6:13.
41 As evidence that he lifted up his heart unto God, upon Whom he called, and from Whom alone he expected all good things. Of which ceremony used by the ancients in prayers, see likewise, Ezra 9:5; Job 11:13; Psalm 44:20; 63:4; 1 Tim. 2:8.
23And he said, LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk 42before thee with 43all their heart:
42 See Gen 17 on verse 1.
43 See 1 Kings 2 on verse 4.
24Who hast kept with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him: thou spakest also with thy mouth, and hast 44fulfilled it with thine hand, as it is this day.
44 That is, begun to fulfill.
25Therefore now, LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him, saying, 45Therei shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel; so that thy children take heed to 46their way, that they 47walk before me as thou hast walked before me.
45 Other, No man shall be lacking unto thee before my face. The meaning is: that there would ever be someone of David’s family to succeed him in the kingdom; which promise was fully accomplished in Christ, Whose kingdom is without end, Luke 1:33.
i 2 Sam. 7:12, 16; 1 Kings 2:4; Psalm 132:12.
46 See 1 Kings 2 on verse 4.
47 See Gen. 17 on verse 1.
26And now, O God of Israel, let thy word, I pray thee, be verified, which thou spakest unto thy servant David my father.
2748Butj49will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and 50heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?
48 It is as if he had said: Although this house is not suitable to contain Thee, Who fills heaven and earth, yet notwithstanding let it please Thee to dwell therein and to hear the prayers.
j 2 Chron. 2:6; Isa. 66:1; Jer. 23:24; Acts 7:49.
49 He does not deny that God is on the earth, but he implies that He is not contained there, in regard of His Essence, although He manifested Himself in the temple as a visible token of His presence, in respect of His grace.
50 Also Psalm 148:4. Understand the highest or uppermost heaven, which is the most spacious, called by Paul the third heaven, 2 Cor. 12:2, and see this phrase, Lev. 2:3, and in the annotation.
28Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of 51thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee to day:
51 That is, unto my prayer.
29That thine 52eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which thou hast said,k53My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make 54toward this place.
52 Spoken of God after the manner of men, Whose eyes are said to be open toward His (own), when He has compassion on them, hears them, and does them good. Compare verse 52; Psalm 33:18; 34:15: Zech. 12:4.
k Deut. 12:11.
53 See on verse 16.
54 Other, in this place, namely, turning himself toward this house, and looking on the promises of Thy presence. See Dan. 6:11.
30And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, 55when they shall pray toward this place: and hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place: and when thou hearest, forgive.
55 Other, which they, etc.
31¶If any man trespass against his neighbour, and an 56oath 57be laid upon him to cause him to swear, and the oath come before thine altar in this house:
56 Hebr. properly: curse or imprecation. Understand an oath imposed by the judge, which was made in weighty and doubtful matters with imprecation on himself if one did swear falsely, and that most solemnly before the altar, to stir up the one who made an oath to more attention and fear. Compare Exod. 22:8; Num. 5:15, 16, 17, 18, etc.
57 Namely, the neighbor against whom the sin is committed.
32Then hear thou in heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, 58condemning the wicked, 59to bring his way upon his head; and 60justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness.
58 See of this word, Deut. 25 on verse 1.
59 That is, by avenging his sins through well-deserved punishments. See similar phrase, 2 Chron. 6:23; Ezek. 9:10 and compare verse 39.
60 That is, counting him free, and pronouncing him righteous. See of this word Gen. 44 on verse 16; Deut. 25 on verse 1.
33¶When thy people Israel be smitten down before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee, and shall turn again to thee, and confess 61thy name, and pray, and make supplication unto thee in this house:
61 That is, ascribe unto themselves the guilt of the punishment, and unto Thee the glory of justice. Also verse 35. See Joshua 7 on verse 19.
34Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which thou gavest unto their fathers.
35¶When heaven is 62shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when 63thou afflictest them:
62 See Deut. 11 on verse 17; which otherwise is called, making the heaven as iron or as copper, Lev. 26:19; Deut. 28:23.
63 Other, because thou shalt have testified against them, namely, by Thy prophets, or by the judgment of barrenness; also 2 Chron. 6:26.
36Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, that thou teach them the 64good way wherein they should walk, and give rain upon thy land, which thou hast given to thy people for an inheritance.
64 Called so likewise, 1 Sam. 12:23. Other, the way of the Lord, Psalm 27:11, of truth, Psalm 119:30, of understanding, Proverbs 9:6, of holiness, Isa. 35:8, of righteousness, 2 Peter 2:21; of life, Proverbs 6:23, etc.
37¶If there be in the land famine, if there be pestilence, blasting, mildew, locust, or if there be caterpiller; if their enemy besiege them 65in the land of their cities; whatsoever plague, 66whatsoever sickness there be;
65 That is, in his own land and cities. The Hebrew word shah-ar, an opening, that is, door or gate, is here taken for cities. See Gen 22 on verse 17. Now the land of his cities signifies the cities of his land. Also 2 Chron. 6:28.
66 In 2 Chron. 6:28 it is expressed: whatsoever sore or whatsoever sickness there be: There the particle or is expressed in the original.
38What prayer and supplication soever be made 67by any man, or by all thy people Israel, which shall know every man 68the plague of his own heart, and spread forth his hands 69toward this house:
67 That is, by every one in particular, or by the congregation of the people in general.
68 That is, which goes to their very heart, and does inwardly so afflict them, that they are prompted unto prayer, by confidence in God, with true repentance of heart.
69 Or, towards this house. See on verse 44.
39Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according 70to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of 71all the children of men;)
70 See Gen. 6 on verse 12.
71 That is, of all people. So Num. 23:19; Job 16:21; Psalm 8:4; Eccl. 3:21.
40That 72they may fear thee all the days that they live in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers.
72 That is, walk in Thy ways, as is explained 2 Chron. 6:31. For the fear of the Lord excites a man to cease from evil and to do good, Prov. 1:7; 8:13; 16:6.
41Moreover concerning a 73stranger, that is not of thy people Israel, but cometh out of a far country 74for thy name's sake;
73 Understand those who would be converted from their idolatry to the true God.
74 That is, for the glory and praise which Thou hast, as well in regard of the creation, Providence, and government of all things in general, as in regard of the providing, keeping, and delivering of Thy church in particular. See the following verse, and 2 Chron. 6:32.
42(For they shall hear of thy great name, and of thy strong 75hand, and of thy 76stretched out arm;) when he shall come and pray toward this house;
75 That is, power, might; also Deut. 3:24; Psalm 136:12. See Num. 11 on verse 23.
76 Also Psalm 136:12; Jer. 32:17.
43Hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for: that all people of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee, as do thy people Israel; and that they may know that this house, which I have builded, is called by 77thy name.
77 That is, which has its name of Thee. Compare the annotation on verse 16.
44¶If thy people go out to battle against their enemy, whithersoever thou 78shalt send them, and shall pray unto the LORD 79toward the city which thou hast chosen, and toward the house that I have built for thy name:
78 That is, in a just and lawful war, which shall be commanded by Thee.
79 That is, turning themselves in prayer toward this place, as evidence that they acknowledged this God to be the only true God and called upon Him, Who was worshipped in the temple at Jerusalem according to His Word. Also verse 48, and see hereof an example in Dan. 6:11.
45Then hear thou in heaven their prayer and their supplication, and 80maintain their cause.
80 Or, maintain their right. Hebr. do their judgment or right. Now God does execute His peoples’ judgment or right, when as a Judge He maintains and defends their cause, and deservedly punishes His enemies. Also verse 49; 2 Chron. 6:35, 39; Psalm 9:4; 140:12.
46If they sin against thee, (for there is no man that sinneth not,)l and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captives unto the land of the enemy, far or near;
l 2 Chron. 6:36; Prov. 20:9; Eccl. 7:20; 1 John 1:8, 10.
47Yet if they shall 81bethink themselves in the land whither they were carried captives, and repent, and make supplication unto thee in the land of them that carried them captives, saying, We have sinned, and have done perversely, we have committed wickedness;
81 That is, out of a true sense and feeling of their sins, and sorrow for them, have an unfeigned purpose, with steadfast faith and confidence in Thy mercy, to cease from evil, and to do good. Also 2 Chron. 6:37.
48And so return unto thee with 82all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, which led them away captive, and pray unto thee 83toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name:
82 See 1 Kings 2 on verse 4.
83 See on verse 44.
49Then hear thou their prayer and their supplication in heaven thy dwelling place, and 84maintain their cause,
84 Hebr. do their judgment. As verse 45.
50And forgive thy people that have sinned against thee, and all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against thee, and 85give them compassion before them who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them:
85 Hebr. put them or give them to mercies, that is, to have compassion shown them, or to obtain compassion. See almost the like phrase, Gen. 43:14. The meaning is: that God would give the imprisoned Israelites to find grace and compassion in the eyes of their enemies, instead of cruel ill-treatment and oppression. See some fulfillments hereof, Neh. 2:2, etc.; Esther 10:2, 3; Dan. 1:9, 10, etc.
51For they be thy people, and thine inheritance, which thou broughtest forth out of Egypt, from the midst of the 86furnace of iron:
86 The Hebrew word signifies properly a place or a vessel, in which all kinds of metal is melted by the fire; whereunto Egypt is compared, because they endured there many oppressions, and grievous trials. See Deut. 4 on verse 20. Compare Isa. 48:10.
52That thine 87eyes may be open unto the supplication of thy servant, and unto the supplication of thy people Israel, to hearken unto them in all that they call for unto thee.
87 See on verse 29.
53For thou didst separate them from among all the people of the earth, to be thine inheritance, asm thou spakest 88by the hand of Moses thy servant, when thou broughtest our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord GOD.
m Exod. 19:5; Deut. 4:20; 7:6; 9:26, 29; 14:2.
88 Or, by the ministry. Also likewise verse 56.
54And it was so, that when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from 89kneeling on his knees with his hands 90spread up to heaven.
89 The saints have used that ceremony of bowing the knee in prayer, as a sign of humility of heart, wherewith we are to appear before God. See 2 Chron. 6:13; Dan. 6:10; Luke 22:41.
90 See on verse 22.
55And he stood, and 91blessed all the congregation of Israel with a 92loud voice, saying,
91 See on verse 14.
92 Hebr. greater voice.
56Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath 93not failed one wordn of 94all his good promise, which he promised by 95the hand of Moses his servant.
93 That is, He has fulfilled all His promises and broken not one of them. Also likewise Joshua 21:45; 23:14; 2 Kings 10:10.
n Joshua 21:45.
94 Hebr. of all his good word.
95 Or, by the ministry. See Exod. 4 on verse 13.
57The LORD our God 96be with us, as he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor forsake us:
96 See Gen. 21 on verse 22; Gen. 26 on verse 24.
58That he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep 97his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers.
97 See the difference of these three words 1 Kings 2 on verse 3.
59And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night, that he maintain the cause of his 98servant, and the cause of his people Israel 99at all times, as the matter shall require:
98 He understands hereby himself, as verses 28, 29, 30, 52.
99 Hebr. the word or the thing of the day on his day, that is, every day, according as daily any need shall happen. The like phrase is found, Exod. 5:13; Lev. 23:37.
60That all the people of the earth may know thato the LORD is God, and that there is none else.
o Deut. 4:35, 39.
61Let your heart therefore be 100perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, 101as at this day.
100 Understand the perfection of this life, consisting in all the parts of godliness, and not in the full increase thereof, which is the perfection of the life to come. Also 1 Kings 11:4; 15:3, 14; 2 Kings 20:3; 1 Chron. 28:9; 29:9, 19; 2 Chron. 15:17; 19:9. Compare Philip. 3:12, 15.
101 Understand henceforth forever, as ye do this day.
62¶And the king, and all Israel with him, offered sacrifice 102before the LORD.
102 Before the temple. See Lev. 1 on verse 3.
63And Solomonp offered a sacrifice of peace offerings, which he offered unto the LORD, two and twenty thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the children of Israel dedicated the house of the LORD.
p 2 Chron. 7:5, etc.
64The same day did the king 103hallow the middle 104of the court that was 105before the house of the LORD: for there he offered burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings: because the brasen altar that was 106before the LORD wasq too little to receive the burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings.
103 See Lev. 8 on verse 10.
104 Understand this of the priests’ court, which middlemost part he, being led by the Spirit of God, used in that extraordinary work, to offer sacrifices there, and for that end to rear altars, because the altar of burnt offering was not able to bear all the offerings, by reason of their multitude.
105 That is, close in front of the forepart of the temple, called the holy place.
106 See on verse 62.
q 2 Chron. 7:7.
65And at that time Solomon held 107a feast, and all Israel with him, a great congregation, from the entering in of 108Hamath unto the 109river of Egypt, before the LORD our God, 110seven days and seven days, even fourteen days.
107 Understand the feast of tabernacles which was to be kept seven days. See hereof, Lev. 23:34.
108 See hereof Num. 13:21. This was the uttermost border of Canaan toward the north.
109 Called Sihor, Joshua 13:3 and was the uttermost border toward the south. See Gen. 15 on verse 18.
110 Understand seven days toward the dedication of the altar and temple; and seven days more toward the keeping of the feast of tabernacles, 2 Chron. 7:9.
66On the 111eighth day he sent the people away: and they blessed the king, and went unto their tents joyful and 112glad of heart for all the goodness that the LORD had done for 113David his servant, and for Israel his people.
111 Understand that he gave the people leave to go home on the eighth day, which was the 22nd of the seventh month; but in regard that that day was likewise to be kept holy, therefore they departed the day following, which was the 23rd. See 2 Chron. 7:10 and the annotation.
112 Hebr. good of heart.
113 That is, for the house of David and his posterity in the kingdom.