John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 3. And the Lord said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication that thou hast made before me , etc.] With delight and pleasure, and had accepted it; meaning the prayer recorded in the preceding chapter: I have hallowed this house which thou hast built ; by the cloud of glory filling it, and by fire descending from heaven, and consuming the sacrifices offered in it, ( 2 Chronicles 7:1) to put my name there for ever ; there to grant his presence, so long as his pure worship should be continued in it; so the Targum adds, “and my Shechinah or divine Majesty shall abide in it, if my will is done there continually:” and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually ; his eyes of Providence should be upon it, to watch over it, and protect it, and his worshippers in it; and he should have a cordial regard to the sacrifices there offered, and to the persons of the offerers, so long as they offered them in a right way, and to right ends and purposes.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-9 - God warned Solomon, now he had newly built and dedicated the temple that he and his people might not be high-minded, but fear. After all the services we can perform, we stand upon the same terms with the Lor as before. Nothing can purchase for us liberty to sin, nor would the true believer desire such a licence. He would rather be chastened of the Lord, than be allowed to go on with ease and prosperity in sin.
Original Hebrew ויאמר559 יהוה3068 אליו413 שׁמעתי8085 את853 תפלתך8605 ואת853 תחנתך8467 אשׁר834 התחננתה2603 לפני6440 הקדשׁתי6942 את853 הבית1004 הזה2088 אשׁר834 בנתה1129 לשׂום7760 שׁמי8034 שׁם8033 עד5704 עולם5769 והיו1961 עיני5869 ולבי3820 שׁם8033 כל3605 הימים׃3117
