Page 553 - The MacArthur Daily Bible

TN_05_MacArthur_Bible_May.qxd 8/8/03 15:42 Page 534

MAY 30
when they pray to the LORD toward the city the supplication of Your people Israel, to listen
53
which You have chosen and the temple which to them whenever they call to You. For You
45
I have built for Your name, then hear in heav- separated them from among all the peoples of
en their prayer and their supplication, and the earth to be Your inheritance, as You spoke
maintain their cause. by Your servant Moses, when You brought
46 “When they sin against You (for there is no our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord GOD.”
one who does not sin), and You become angry 54 And so it was, when Solomon had finished
with them and deliver them to the enemy, and praying all this prayer and supplication to the
they take them captive to the land of the LORD, that he arose from before the altar of
47
enemy, far or near; yet when they come to the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his
themselves in the land where they were car- hands spread up to heaven. Then he stood
55
ried captive, and repent, and make supplica- and blessed all the assembly of Israel with a
56
tion to You in the land of those who took them loud voice, saying: “Blessed be the LORD, who
captive, saying, ‘We have sinned and done has given rest to His people Israel, according
48
wrong, we have committed wickedness’; and to all that He promised. There has not failed
when they return to You with all their heart one word of all His good promise, which He
and with all their soul in the land of their ene- promised through His servant Moses. May
57
mies who led them away captive, and pray to the LORD our God be with us, as He was with
You toward their land which You gave to their our fathers. May He not leave us nor forsake
58
fathers, the city which You have chosen and us, that He may incline our hearts to Himself,
the temple which I have built for Your name: to walk in all His ways, and to keep His com-
49 then hear in heaven Your dwelling place their mandments and His statutes and His judg-
prayer and their supplication, and maintain ments, which He commanded our fathers.
50
their cause, and forgive Your people who have 59 And may these words of mine, with which I
sinned against You, and all their transgressions have made supplication before the LORD, be
which they have transgressed against You; and near the LORD our God day and night, that He
grant them compassion before those who took may maintain the cause of His servant and the
them captive, that they may have compassion cause of His people Israel, as each day may
60
on them (for they are Your people and Your require, that all the peoples of the earth may
51
inheritance, whom You brought out of Egypt, know that the LORD is God; there is no other.
out of the iron furnace), that Your eyes may be 61 Let your heart therefore be loyal to the LORD
52
open to the supplication of Your servant and our God, to walk in His statutes and keep His
commandments, as at this day.”
62 Then the king and all Israel with him
63
offered sacrifices before the LORD. And Sol-
omon offered a sacrifice of peace offerings,
8:22–53 Solomon moved to the altar of burnt which he offered to the LORD, twenty-two
offering to offer a lengthy prayer of consecra- thousand bulls and one hundred and twenty
tion to the Lord. First, he affirmed that no god thousand sheep. So the king and all the chil-
could compare to Israel’s God, the Lord (vv. dren of Israel dedicated the house of the LORD.
23,24). Second, he asked the Lord for His con- 64 On the same day the king consecrated the
tinued presence and protection (vv. 25–30). middle of the court that was in front of the
Third, he listed 7 typical Israelite prayers that house of the LORD; for there he offered burnt
would require the Lord’s response (vv. 31–54). offerings, grain offerings, and the fat of the
These supplications recalled the detailed list of peace offerings, because the bronze altar that
curses that Deuteronomy 28:15–68 ascribed
for the breaking of the law.Specifically,Solomon was before the LORD was too small to receive
prayed that the Lord would judge between the the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, and
wicked and the righteous (vv. 31,32); the Lord the fat of the peace offerings.
would forgive the sins that had caused defeat 65 At that time Solomon held a feast, and all
in battle (vv.33,34);the Lord would forgive the Israel with him, a great assembly from the
sins that had brought on drought (vv. 35,36); entrance of Hamath to the Brook of Egypt,
the Lord would forgive the sins that had before the LORD our God, seven days and
resulted in national calamities (vv. 37–40); the seven more days—fourteen days. On the
66
Lord would show mercy to God-fearing for- eighth day he sent the people away; and they
eigners (vv. 41–43); the Lord would give victo- blessed the king, and went to their tents joyful
ry in battle (vv. 44,45); and the Lord would and glad of heart for all the good that the LORD
bring restoration after captivity (vv. 46–54).
had done for His servant David, and for Israel
His people.
534