v1-2: The people of Israel came together for the Feast of Tabernacles, Deut 16.16.

v3-5: The ark of God was carried, correctly, by the priests. All the other items from the tabernacle were brought up to the temple. There were abundant sacrifices, indicative of great joy and great wealth.

v6-8: The priests placed the ark of God in the Holy of Holies (Most Holy Place). Its poles, used for carrying, were visible from the Holy Place; a reminder of the journeys of the people of Israel, and that the ark had been carried by hand. This pictures our earthly life, step by step, requiring personal commitment to God in a foreign land.

Now the ark was kept in the same place, in the temple, supposed never to be moved again. This pictures heaven for us.

v9: The ark of God was placed at the centre of worship. It contained the two stone tablets, on which were written the Ten Commandments; thus the word of God was at the centre also.

The ark was very important, and there are numerous references in the O.T; it was linked with guidance and progress (Num 10.35-36), with God's faithfulness (Deut 10.8), with power (Josh 3.14-16), with victory (Josh 6.6,11), with dealing with sin (Josh 7.6), and with seeking the mind of God (Judg 20.27).

Sadly, the ark had been abused (1 Sam 4.1-11), and it became the source of death to those who mistreated it (1 Sam 6.1-9), yet it remained a place for blessing (2 Sam 6.11) and for worship (2 Sam 6.17). The ark was also linked with regular, daily service of God (1 Chr 16.37).

v10-11: The glory of the Lord filled the temple; this was a sign of God's blessing upon the ark and His people.

v12-13: Solomon recognised God's grace in choosing to dwell in a building, since no man-made building can contain Him.

v14-21: Solomon's initial prayer before the ark.

v15: Praise to God for He had been faithful to His word; see also v20,24. What had happened was no accident, for God had planned it and brought it to pass.

v16: "I have not chosen a city...but I have chosen David". The geographic position was less important than the attitude of the people. In Acts 7, Stephen picked up this issue, that the place a person lived was not so important as how he lived.

v17-19: Solomon rightly attributed to David the initial vision for the temple. But it would be a son of David who would actually construct the temple.

v20-21: The promises of God given to David were fulfilled through Solomon. Solomon succeeded David, sitting on his throne; Solomon built the temple, and provided a place for the ark of God.

v22-53: Solomon's prayer of dedication. This was a very public prayer.

v23-26: God's greatness and faithfulness; there is no God like Him. God has an unending love for His own people.

But also here is the need for obedience to God, "...your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way...if only your sons are careful in all they do to walk before me..." the promises of God were dependent the people's continued loyalty and obedience to God.

v27: Compare v12-13; God excels; He is greater than any man can grasp; the greatest building ever conceived is hopelessly insufficient for God.

v28: Yet, Solomon had faith to bring his words before God, for God had shown that He will hear our prayers.

v29-30: "This temple", blessed by God, had already been filled with the glory of God (v10-11). Solomon refers to prayers made "to this place"; this pictures Christ in whose Name we pray; in Him all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily, and in Him all the promises of God are fulfilled. Solomon then brings a series of requests, each one looking to God to honour His Name and "this place".

v31-32: The temple to be a place of judgment, where disputes were settled; the human heart could not be hidden from God, so Solomon's prayer is that the innocent be acquitted, and the guilty be punished.

v33-36: Corporate confession and forgiveness, leading to restoration. There was also a request that God teach them His ways. Confession of sin to God is useless unless we then live His way; this is true repentance.

v37-40: Whatever prayer and whatever supplication; trusting in God's willingness to hear and act. The context here is that of sufferings of any of God's people. Such things can expose the "afflictions of his own heart", and turn the people back to God. God will answer, not just to relieve their suffering, but also that they will learn to fear God.

v41-43: Solomon's vision beyond Israel. Through the testimony of a people blessed by God, it would be expected that foreigners would want to worship God. Thus the temple would be a place of 'conversion', as Gentiles bowed before the true and living God.

v44-45: The temple was to be a place of petition, as God's people brought their requests to Him; in particular, when there was the necessity of war, "wherever you send them", there would be victory, since God would hear their cry.

v46-51: Future captivity predicted; God would remain faithful to His people, even though they fell into such serious sin that they were removed from their land. The Lord God would look for a "change of heart" and repentance; they would realise that their misfortunes were totally due to their rebellion against God.

v52-53: Solomon concluded his prayer, asking that God would hear not only his prayers that day, but the multitude of prayers of His people. Israel was God's people, and Solomon's request was that God would continue faithful to His own words.

v54-55: Solomon then turned to the people to bless them, and to remind them of their responsibility.

v56: Compare Josh 21.45; there was now rest for the people of God, since His promises had been fulfilled; the land had been occupied, the enemies defeated, and now the temple had been built.

The foundations were therefore in place for a glorious future for the people of God. How sad that they so soon departed from the true God. The history of Israel from this point onwards was not consistent enjoyment of God's blessings, but frequent lapses into idolatry and rebellion, internal squabbles and division.

v57-58: Prayer; asking God to do what He delights to do; not what He is unwilling to do; may He be with us; may He never leave us; and may He turn our hearts to Him.

v59-60: From v52-53; Solomon's desire was that God would remember his prayer. The people might not do so, but they could rely on the faithful God. The people might not recognise God's power and grace, but all the earth would do so.

v61: The people's responsibility was obedience; the continued blessings of God were dependent upon their remaining faithful to Him.

v62-64: Solomon offered sacrifices before God. There were some many animals being sacrificed that an additional area had to be consecrated.

v65-66: The Feast of Tabernacles was celebrated for an additional seven days, as the people rejoiced together.