1 Kings 8

2 Chronicles gives us a little insight as to when this prayer of dedication took place. It was prayed right after the temple was built. It was prayed as a dedication for the temple. Solomon was not only given a word of wisdom when he spoke these words, he was given a word of prophesy.

"But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built!” (1Ki 8:27).

Humility is a beautiful thing. Imagine if we lived life with the constant idea that we are unworthy. Of course we realize this. We know we are not worthy creatures. We do not often live like this. Solomon realizes that he is completely unworthy and that this temple was unworthy, yet he asks in humility for the Lord to dwell in it.

And may You hear the supplication of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. Hear in heaven Your dwelling place; and when You hear, forgive.
(1Ki 8:30)

When you hang around people who love Jesus you will often hear the words, “I am not praying near enough.” This is a good thing. This shows that this person loves Jesus so much that they realize they need more of Him. In this verse we hear Solomon pray to God that when Israel prayed toward this temple, that He would hear them. What a wonderful supplication. Of course, the greatest example of this is Daniel. “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.” (Dan 6:10) There was a decree out that threatened Daniel’s life should he kneel and pray. Yet Daniel knew of Solomon’s supplication toward God. Daniel that not only should he pray three times a day, but he should pray toward the temple in Jerusalem. Woe. I am convicted.

"When Your people Israel are defeated before an enemy because they have sinned against You, and when they turn back to You and confess Your name, and pray and make supplication to You in this temple,” (1Ki 8:33).

For the next couple weeks we are going to see this instance over and over again. Israel will be defeated, divided, and destroyed because of their disobedience. Despite this, God is faithful, when they return to the Lord. I think of Jehosophat, Hezekiah, and Josiah. These three men led Israel to many years of peace. All three men had something in common, they served God.

"When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against You, when they pray toward this place and confess Your name, and turn from their sin because You afflict them, then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of Your servants, Your people Israel, that You may teach them the good way in which they should walk; and send rain on Your land which You have given to Your people as an inheritance. (1Ki 8:35-36)

In just a few weeks we will be learning about Elijah. He shut up the heavens for three years and with one prayer before the Lord it rained down! This act is mentioned throughout the Bible including Revelation.

"When there is famine in the land, pestilence or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers; when their enemy besieges them in the land of their cities; whatever plague or whatever sickness there is; whatever prayer, whatever supplication is made by anyone, or by all Your people Israel, when each one knows the plague of his own heart, and spreads out his hands toward this temple: then hear in heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive, and act, and give to everyone according to all his ways, whose heart You know (for You alone know the hearts of all the sons of men), that they may fear You all the days that they live in the land which You gave to our fathers. (1Ki 8:37-40)

All of the above would happen to Israel. Read Joel to learn about when the plague of locusts came. Read through the life of Elisha (2 Kings) to learn of the desperate, poor state of Israel. One may start to think that Solomon is giving the Lord ideas, though we know that it was Solomon being given a tremendous word of Prophecy. Solomon continues his prayed of dedication concerning the temple. To see the Lord’s response you have to turn to 2 Chronicles 7:12-14 to hear the Lord’s answer:

Then the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him: "I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice. When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2Ch 7:12-14)

If you need healing today, please note the above.