6:1 Then a said Solomon, The LORD hath said that he would
dwell in the thick darkness.
(a) After he had seen the glory of the Lord in the cloud.
6:11 And in it have I put the ark, wherein [is] the b covenant
of the LORD, that he made with the children of Israel.
(b) Meaning the two tables, in which is contained the
effect of the covenant that God made with our fathers.
6:12 And c he stood before the altar of the LORD in the
presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread
forth his hands:
(c) On a scaffold that was made for that purpose, that he
praying for the whole people might be heard by all, as
in (1Ki 8:22).
6:13 For Solomon had made a brasen scaffold, of five cubits
long, and five cubits broad, and three cubits high, and had
set it in the midst of the court: and upon it he stood, and
kneeled down upon his knees before all the congregation of
Israel, and d spread forth his hands toward heaven,
(d) Both to give thanks for the great benefits of God
bestowed on him, and also to pray for the perseverance
and prosperity of his people.
6:20 That thine e eyes may be open upon this house day and
night, upon the place whereof thou hast said that thou
wouldest put thy name there; to hearken unto the prayer
which thy servant prayeth toward this place.
(e) That you may declare in effect that you have a
continual care over this place.
6:22 If a man sin against his f neighbour, and an oath be laid
upon him to make him swear, and the oath come before thine
altar in this house;
(f) By retaining anything from him, or by denying that
which he has left him to keep, or do him any wrong.
6:23 Then hear thou from heaven, and do, and judge thy servants,
by requiting the wicked, by recompensing his way g upon
his own head; and by justifying the righteous, by giving
him according to his righteousness.
(g) Meaning, to give him that which he has deserved.
6:30 Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive,
and render unto every man according unto all his ways,
whose h heart thou knowest; (for thou only knowest the
hearts of the children of men:)
(h) He declares that the prayers of hypocrites cannot be
heard, nor of any but of them who pray to God with a
true faith and in true repentance.
6:32 Moreover concerning the stranger, which is not of thy
people Israel, but is come from a far country for thy great
name's sake, and thy mighty hand, and thy stretched out
arm; if they come and i pray in this house;
(i) He shows that before God there is no deception of
person, but all people who fear him and work
righteousness are accepted, (Ac 10:35).
6:34 If thy people go out to war against their enemies by the
way that k thou shalt send them, and they pray unto thee
toward this city which thou hast chosen, and the house
which I have built for thy name;
(k) Meaning, that no one should enterprise any war, but at
the Lord's command, that is, which is lawful by his
word.
6:41 Now therefore arise, O LORD God, into thy l resting
place, thou, and the ark of thy strength: let thy priests,
O LORD God, be clothed with m salvation, and let thy
saints rejoice in goodness.
(l) That is, into your temple.
(m) Let them be preserved by your power, and made virtuous
and holy.
6:42 O LORD God, turn not away the face of n thine anointed:
remember the mercies of David thy servant.
