That they may fear thee all the days that they live in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers.
The words belong to Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the temple God employed him to build. It was offered as he entered upon his work with remarkable manifestations of divine power and precious views of the divine character, and with a felt need for divine power. Its sentiments are marked by deep piety and humility, and it stands as a just, compassionate, God-fearing, and most remarkable prayer.
In it Solomon prayed for Israel, his people, that their hearts would be given to the Lord without division and remain faithful to Him. Their dependence on the God of Israel, and their experience of Him hearing prayer, forgiving sin, and dealing with each person according to his ways, was meant to lead them to worship Him, fear Him, and walk in His ways throughout their lives in the land He gave their ancestors. The prayer teaches that God is not confined to a temple, for He meets His people by His Spirit when they gather for worship, visits and encourages them wherever they are, and may be worshiped in every place. Yet the temple provided a place to meet and worship God, and those who worshiped Him there sincerely received His blessing.
Solomon knew God, was honored by God, and had great light, but that light did not save him, for later corrupting influences led him away from God and temple worship into idolatry. Through alliance with heathen and pagan nations, idolatry and oppression, he forsook the very temple to worship idols and supported idol worship. He thus became the seducer of the very people for whom he had prayed, contrary to that prayer.
The words belong to Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the temple God employed him to build. It was offered as he entered upon his work with remarkable manifestations of divine power and precious views of the divine character, and with a felt need for divine power. Its sentiments are marked by deep piety and humility, and it stands as a just, compassionate, God-fearing, and most remarkable prayer.
In it Solomon prayed for Israel, his people, that their hearts would be given to the Lord without division and remain faithful to Him. Their dependence on the God of Israel, and their experience of Him hearing prayer, forgiving sin, and dealing with each person according to his ways, was meant to lead them to worship Him, fear Him, and walk in His ways throughout their lives in the land He gave their ancestors. The prayer teaches that God is not confined to a temple, for He meets His people by His Spirit when they gather for worship, visits and encourages them wherever they are, and may be worshiped in every place. Yet the temple provided a place to meet and worship God, and those who worshiped Him there sincerely received His blessing.
Solomon knew God, was honored by God, and had great light, but that light did not save him, for later corrupting influences led him away from God and temple worship into idolatry. Through alliance with heathen and pagan nations, idolatry and oppression, he forsook the very temple to worship idols and supported idol worship. He thus became the seducer of the very people for whom he had prayed, contrary to that prayer.