14 While the whole assembly of Israel was standing there, the king turned around and blessed them.
14 And the king turned his face about, and blessed all the congregation of Israel: (and all the congregation of Israel stood;)
14 Then the king turned around and blessed all the assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel stood.
14 The king then turned to face the congregation and blessed them:
14 Then the king turned around and blessed the whole assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel was standing.
14 Then the king turned around to the entire community of Israel standing before him and gave this blessing:
55 He stood and blessed the whole assembly of Israel in a loud voice, saying:
55 And he stood, and blessed all the congregation of Israel with a loud voice, saying,
55 And he stood and blessed all the assembly of Israel with a loud voice, saying,
55 Standing, he blessed the whole congregation of Israel, blessing them at the top of his lungs:
55 Then he stood and blessed all the assembly of Israel with a loud voice, saying:
55 He stood and in a loud voice blessed the entire congregation of Israel:
(Read 1 Kings 8:54-61)
Never was a congregation dismissed with what was more likely to affect them, and to abide with them. What Solomon asks for in this prayer, is still granted in the intercession of Christ, of which his supplication was a type. We shall receive grace sufficient, suitable, and seasonable, in every time of need. No human heart is of itself willing to obey the gospel call to repentance, faith, and newness of life, walking in all the commandments of the Lord, yet Solomon exhorts the people to be perfect. This is the scriptural method, it is our duty to obey the command of the law and the call of the gospel, seeing we have broken the law. When our hearts are inclined thereto, feeling our sinfulness and weakness, we pray for Divine assistance; thus are we made able to serve God through Jesus Christ.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Kings 8:14
Commentary on 1 Kings 8:12-21
(Read 1 Kings 8:12-21)
Solomon encouraged the priests, who were much astonished at the dark cloud. The dark dispensations of Providence should quicken us in fleeing for refuge to the hope of the gospel. Nothing can more reconcile us to them, than to consider what God has said, and to compare his word and works together. Whatever good we do, we must look on it as the performance of God's promise to us, not of our promises to him.