NOTES for Ki1 8:22-61

Solomon’s prayer before the altar is one of the most sublime prayers; here Solomon’s words recall the most expressive lines of the psalms composed by his father.

Solomon lists dramatic situations and sorrowful events during which the people will come to the Temple. Is it accidental that on this day of celebration Solomon speaks mainly of disasters and anxious circumstances, while joyful events, to which the Temple is also called to bear witness, remain somewhere in the background? Has it been revealed to Solomon that the Temple will be destroyed and that the people will face many calamities? Or can he, even on a joyful day, not refrain from grieving over the sin that enslaves the world?

And yet Solomon turns to the Lord with hope, not doubting that He will hear and come to help. But Solomon does not ask only for his own people: he calls upon the Lord also to hear the prayer of the foreigner who comes to the Temple. Solomon believes that not only Israelites will come to the Temple to worship the Lord, and he wants all nations to know His Name.

Solomon spoke his prayer not only in his own name, but also on behalf of the whole people. That day, before the Temple, the entire people standing before the Lord were joined in a remarkable unity of prayer.