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New Defender's Study Bible Notes
7:1 glory of the LORD. Just as when the tabernacle in the wilderness was completed so here the shekinah glory cloud filled the beautiful temple, indicating the Lord’s approval of the temple as his earthly “dwelling.” See notes on I Kings 8:10,11.
7:8 Hamath unto the river of Egypt. A reference to the north-south extent of Israel. The context suggests that the “very great congregation” listening as Solomon prayed included people from every part of his domain.
7:9 the feast seven days. The feast was the Feast of Tabernacles, the seventh and final of “the feasts of the LORD.” See note on II Chronicles 5:3.
7:10 away into their tents. The people had been staying in tents or “tabernacles” in accordance with the instructions for their Feast of Tabernacles.
7:12 the LORD appeared to Solomon. This appearance of the Lord is not said to be in either a dream or a vision, and so must have been an actual theophany of the Lord Jesus Christ in His pre-incarnate status. The Lord’s answer to Solomon’s prayer occupies the last eleven verses of the chapter, in which God directly responds to His many requests.
7:14 If my people. This verse is often cited by way of exhortation to Christians on behalf of their particular nation, but it was actually a very specific promise to the people of the elect nation, Israel, given to King Solomon on behalf of his own nation of Israel.