John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 3. And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down , etc.] From heaven upon the sacrifice, and consumed it, which was all visible to the eye; or it may be this was a distinct fire from the former, since it seems to have come down upon the house, and so may denote a bright, shining, glorious light; the same with what follows: and the glory of the Lord upon the house ; for not only the house was filled with the glory, but there was a bright stream of light and glory over it, very dazzling and surprising: they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement ; of the great court, where they were assembled: and worshipped and praised the Lord : worshipped him by praising him: saying, for he is good ; in his nature, promises, and blessings; is good, and does good: for his mercy endureth for ever ; this was the close of their song of praise.
Ver. 4, 5. Then the king and all the people , etc.] Of these two verses, (See Gill on “ 1 Kings 8:62”), (See Gill on “ 1 Kings 8:63”).
Matthew Henry Commentary
- God's answer to Solomon's prayer.
--God gave a gracious answer to Solomon's prayer. The mercies of God to sinners are made known in a manner well suited to impress all wh receive them, with his majesty and holiness. The people worshipped an praised God. When he manifests himself as a consuming Fire to sinners his people can rejoice in him as their Light. Nay, they had reason to say, that God was good in this. It is of the Lord's mercies we are no consumed, but the sacrifice in our stead, for which we should be very thankful. And whoever beholds with true faith, the Saviour agonizin and dying for man's sin, will, by that view, find his godly sorro enlarged, his hatred of sin increased, his soul made more watchful, an his life more holy. Solomon prosperously effected all he designed, for adorning both God's house and his own. Those who begin with the servic of God, are likely to go on successfully in their own affairs. It wa Solomon's praise, that what he undertook, he went through with; it wa by the grace of God that he prospered in it. Let us then stand in awe and sin not. Let us fear the Lord's displeasure, hope in his mercy, an walk in his commandments _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew וכל3605 בני1121 ישׂראל3478 ראים7200 ברדת3381 האשׁ784 וכבוד3519 יהוה3068 על5921 הבית1004 ויכרעו3766 אפים639 ארצה776 על5921 הרצפה7531 וישׁתחוו7812 והודות3034 ליהוה3068 כי3588 טוב2896 כי3588 לעולם5769 חסדו׃2617
