000 Allen FMT (i-xxii) - The Presbyterian Leader

178 Proper 16 [21]/Year B
(vv. 35–36), for times of famine (vv. 37–40), for foreigners who pray
(vv. 41–43), for those whom the Lord sends out in battle (vv. 44–45), and
for captives taken in battle (vv. 46–51). These appeals cover a wide range
of situations in which Israel would need to pray. Before and after his
prayer, Solomon asks God to bless the assembly gathered for the dedication
(vv. 14–21; 54–61). These prayers begin as do all Jewish blessings:
“Blessed be the LORD” (vv. 15, 56). The whole is bracketed with liturgical
worship of God and a communal meal (vv. 1–13; 62–66).
Verse 1 describes the bringing up into Jerusalem of the “ark of the
covenant” from the “city of David,” the lower city, south of the Temple.
“Up” refers to the fact that Jerusalem was on higher ground. The ark is
moved into the Temple and placed in “the inner sanctuary of the house”
(v. 6). The ark was carried on “poles” (vv. 7–8). In spite of having a house
in which to dwell, YHWH is not confined to the Temple but capable of
being anywhere, of moving.
Verses 10–11 speak of the “cloud” that filled the house of the Lord, a
symbol of the “glory” of the Lord. Solomon mentions (v. 12) that God had
said that God “would dwell in thick darkness.” The Lord remains a mystery,
no more trapped in the Temple than in having a name that can be
contained by a definition (see Proper 17/Year A).
Verses 22–26 begin with praise and appeals to God, particularly to
God’s “keeping covenant and steadfast love for your servants” (v. 23). God
keeps the promises that God has made: a God “abounding in steadfast love
and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for the thousandth generation”
(Exod. 34:6–7). Israel can pray to God and be confident that God will hear
and respond because it knows God to be a God of steadfast love and faithfulness.
And because God has kept promises, Solomon can appeal to God
to continue to keep the promises made to “your servant my father David”
(v. 25). Verses 25–26 continue the prayer for the preservation of the
Davidic monarchy.
Verses 27–30 reflect theologically on the idea of God’s dwelling in the
Temple. Solomon declares: “Even heaven and the highest heaven cannot
contain you, much less this house that I have built!” (v. 27). YHWH is not
confined to the Temple; nor is there any literalism involved in calling it
“God’s house.” God is omnipresent, available to all who pray anywhere,
and the “gates of prayer” are always open even though those of the Temple
might be closed (as at night). Solomon asks that God’s eyes “may be
open night and day toward this house” (v. 29), that those who pray “toward
this place” may be heard.