God's
answer: the enjoyment of blessing conditional on
faithfulness
The answer which God gives
establishes the house as the place in which He has set
His name for ever. His eyes and His heart shall be there
perpetually; but, at the same time, for the enjoyment of
the granted blessing, the dynasty of Solomon, the people
of Israel, and even the house itself, are subjected to
the condition of faithfulness to Jehovah on the part of
Solomon and his children. If he, or his posterity, should
turn away to serve other gods, Israel should be cut off;
and the house should become a testimony of the judgment
of God to every one that passed by. We see here to what
an extent the fate of Israel hung upon their king.
1 Kings 9 Bible Commentary
John Darby’s Synopsis
The answer which God gives establishes the house as the place in which He has set His name for ever. His eyes and His heart shall be there perpetually; but, at the same time, for the enjoyment of the granted blessing, the dynasty of Solomon, the people of Israel, and even the house itself, are subjected to the condition of faithfulness to Jehovah on the part of Solomon and his children. If he, or his posterity, should turn away to serve other gods, Israel should be cut off; and the house should become a testimony of the judgment of God to every one that passed by. We see here to what an extent the fate of Israel hung upon their king.