1 Kings 8 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

1 Kings 8 Short Summary:

When the construction of the Temple was completed in Jerusalem, Solomon gathered all the leaders of Israel and Judah in the city to bring the Ark of the Covenant into the Temple. The majority of 1 Kings 8 is a record of Solomon’s prayer and blessing as he stood before the Temple. The chapter concludes with the king hosting a 7-day feast to commemorate the event.

1 Kings 8 Extended Summary

WHEN:

• 1 Kings 8 records events that took place in the middle years of Solomon’s reign. The Temple was completed in Solomon’s 11 year. Solomon was king for 40 years according to 1 Kings 11:42, from approximately 1015-975 B.C.

CHARACTERS:

• Solomon – The son of David and the 3rd king of Israel and Judah.

• Elders and Officials – Solomon gathered all the elders, heads of the tribes, and leaders of fathers’ houses in Jerusalem for the Temple dedication.

WHERE:

• The Temple of God was constructed in Jerusalem.

OUTLINE:

• THE ARK OF THE COVENANT IS BROUGHT INTO THE TEMPLE (8:1-11):

  • Solomon assembled all the leaders of Israel in Jerusalem to celebrate the Ark of the Covenant being brought into the Temple for the first time.

  • Solomon and Israel offered so many sacrifices on that day that they couldn’t be numbered.

  • The priests carried the Ark into the Most Holy Place, underneath the outstretched wings of the two cherubim (1 Kings 6:23-27).

  • When the Ark was in place, God’s glory, in the form of a cloud, filled the Temple.

• SOLOMON REHEARSES THE EVENTS THAT BROUGHT ABOUT THE TEMPLE (8:12-21):

  • Solomon recognized the cloud as a sign of God’s approval.

  • He blessed God in front of all the people and spoke fondly of his father’s desire to build the Temple.

  • Solomon worshipped God for keeping His promises to David. While David wasn’t allowed to build the Temple, God permitted his son to inherit the throne and build it in his place.

• SOLOMON’S PRAYER TO GOD AT THE DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLE (8:22-53):

  • Solomon stood in front of the Altar of Burnt Offering, which was in front of the Temple, and prayed to God with his hands outstretched.

  • He asked God to fulfill His promise and bless Judah and Israel so long as their kings followed the Lord.  

  • Solomon acknowledged that, although the Temple was an “exalted house” (8:13), it was by no means great enough to contain God’s majesty. Nonetheless, he asked God to hear the prayers that his people offered from that place.

  • He also prayed that God would hear the prayers of foreigners who came to the Temple seeking to know the true God of Heaven.

  • A large portion of Solomon’s prayer was about future forgiveness. He asked God to be open to forgiving the nation if they fell into sin some time in the future.

  • He specifically asked they be allowed to return to the Promised Land if they repented after being taken captive and exiled by a foreign power.

• SOLOMON’S BLESSING AND PRAYER OVER HIS PEOPLE (8:54-61):

  • Solomon then turned to the assembly of people and praised God for keeping all the promises He made to Moses.

  • He said, “The LORD our God be with us… May he not leave us or forsake us” (8:57):

  • Solomon’s aim was for all nations to know the identity of the true God, through His people, Israel.

  • For this to happen, God’s people needed to uphold His commandments and statutes.

• 7 DAYS OF FEASTING AND THOUSANDS OF SACRIFICES (8:6-66):

  • Solomon offered 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep at the Temple.

  • Solomon and the people celebrated with a 7-day feast.