1 kings 8:28 - Yet have respect for the prayer of your servant, and for his supplication, Yahweh my God, to listen to the cry and to the prayer which your servant prays before you today;

Generated Verse: 1 kings 8:28

What does "1 kings 8:28" mean?


This verse, 1 Kings 8:28, is part of Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the newly built Temple in Jerusalem. Let's break it down to understand its meaning:

"Yet have respect for the prayer of your servant, and for his supplication...": This is a plea. Solomon is asking God to consider his prayer and his supplication. "Supplication" is a humble and earnest request or petition, often involving kneeling or bowing. He's not demanding; he's humbly requesting God's attention and favor.

"...Yahweh my God...": This phrase emphasizes the personal relationship between Solomon and God. "Yahweh" is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, and calling him "my God" indicates a sense of intimacy, covenant, and trust.

"...to listen to the cry and to the prayer which your servant prays before you today;": This is the specific request: Solomon asks God to listen attentively to both the explicit prayer and the underlying "cry" of his heart. The "cry" might represent the deeper, unspoken longings, anxieties, and burdens he carries as king and as a representative of the people. He emphasizes that he is praying "before you," meaning he's praying in God's presence, acknowledging God's immediate and all-knowing presence in the Temple.

In essence, the verse is a humble and earnest plea for God to pay attention to Solomon's prayer. He's not assuming God will automatically grant his request, but rather, he's respectfully asking God to consider it, recognizing his role as God's servant and acknowledging God's personal relationship with him.

Significance within the Context of Solomon's Prayer and the Temple:

Humility and Dependence: Solomon, as king, is acknowledging his dependence on God. Despite building this magnificent temple, he knows that it is God who ultimately reigns.
Focus on God's Presence: The prayer underscores the belief that God's presence will now be particularly accessible in the Temple, a place dedicated to worship and prayer.
Intercession for the People: While Solomon is praying specifically for himself, his prayer foreshadows the later part of his speech, where he will pray for the entire nation of Israel, asking God to forgive their sins and answer their prayers when they turn towards the Temple. This sets up the idea of the Temple as a place of prayer, repentance, and reconciliation with God for all Israelites.

In conclusion, 1 Kings 8:28 is a crucial verse that reveals Solomon's humility, his reliance on God, and his recognition of the Temple as a sacred place where God can be found through prayer and supplication. It is a foundation upon which the rest of his dedication prayer is built.

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