Jerusalem in the Time of the Kings
1 Kings 9:1–3. As God had revealed Himself to Solomon … at Gibeon (3:4–5), so He did again, probably in Jerusalem. First, the LORD assured Solomon that He had heard his prayer of dedication and that He would always abide in the temple in a special sense. His people could always count on His eyes resting on them and His heart compassionately responding to their needs as Solomon had requested.
1 Kings 9:4–9. But the LORD also warned the king. If he would walk before God, manifesting attitudes and actions that expressed obedience to the Lord’s Word, God would provide an unceasing line of descendants for Solomon who would always rule over Israel. But if Solomon or any of his descendants did not follow the LORD faithfully, but instead turned aside to worship and serve other gods, then the LORD would do two things: remove Israel from her land and abandon the temple. The Davidic dynasty, though interrupted for centuries starting with the Babylonian Captivity, will be restored by the Messiah when He sits on David’s throne in the Millennium (Ps. 89:30–37). This judgment would cause other peoples to marvel at and ridicule Israel. Scoff (1 Kings 9:8) literally means “whistle in amazement.” People would know that Israel fell because of her idolatry. Not only did later kings lead Israel away from Yahweh to false gods, but also Solomon himself did (1 Kings 11:4–8), and the nation was on the path toward exile (2 Kings 25:1–21).
Constable, Thomas L. “1 Kings.” The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck. Vol. 1. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985. 505. Print.
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