1 Kings 8 54

1 Kings 8:54 kjv

And it was so, that when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven.

1 Kings 8:54 nkjv

And so it was, when Solomon had finished praying all this prayer and supplication to the LORD, that he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven.

1 Kings 8:54 niv

When Solomon had finished all these prayers and supplications to the LORD, he rose from before the altar of the LORD, where he had been kneeling with his hands spread out toward heaven.

1 Kings 8:54 esv

Now as Solomon finished offering all this prayer and plea to the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD, where he had knelt with hands outstretched toward heaven.

1 Kings 8:54 nlt

When Solomon finished making these prayers and petitions to the LORD, he stood up in front of the altar of the LORD, where he had been kneeling with his hands raised toward heaven.

1 Kings 8 verses

1 Kings 8 54 Meaning

This verse marks the completion of King Solomon's profound dedicatory prayer for the newly built Temple. After delivering an extensive address of prayer and earnest appeal to the LORD, Solomon transitioned from his posture of humility and reverence. He rose from kneeling on his knees before the altar of the LORD, having had his hands spread upward to heaven, signaling the conclusion of his intimate communion and intercession with God on behalf of Israel.

1 Kings 8 54 Context

1 Kings chapter 8 describes the monumental dedication of the First Temple in Jerusalem. This event marked a pivotal moment in Israel's history, as the Ark of the Covenant, God's dwelling symbol, was brought into the Holy of Holies within the Temple. Solomon then delivered a lengthy prayer (verses 22-53) before "all the assembly of Israel," acknowledging God's faithfulness and asking for His continued presence, forgiveness, and blessings upon the nation in various future circumstances. Verse 54 details the precise conclusion of this prayer, with Solomon transitioning from his reverent posture to stand and then bless the people, as described in subsequent verses. Historically, this dedication established the Temple as the central place of worship for Israel, fulfilling a promise God made to David and providing a visible focal point for Israel's covenant relationship with the LORD. Solomon's actions reinforced the idea that despite the Temple's grandeur, the king, and indeed all Israel, were utterly dependent on God, even adopting humble postures before Him.

1 Kings 8 54 Word analysis

• And it was so: A common transitional phrase in biblical narrative, signifying the completion or consequence of an action or event, emphasizing that the prior action reached its destined conclusion. It marks a moment of significance and transition in the narrative.
• Solomon: Hebrew Shlomo (שְׁלֹמֹה), meaning "peaceable." The king of Israel, son of David, renowned for his wisdom and building of the Temple. His personal act of prayer here, despite his royal status, highlights profound humility.
• had made an end of praying: Indicates the full conclusion and completion of his extensive prayer. This was not a short utterance but a comprehensive, formalized supplication before the LORD, encompassing Israel's past, present, and future.
• all this prayer and supplication: "Prayer" (Heb. těfillâ) is a general term for petition, often a formal address. "Supplication" (Heb. těḥinnâ) is more specific, denoting an earnest, pleading, or intercessory prayer, seeking grace or favor. The combination emphasizes the comprehensive and heartfelt nature of his petition, covering all aspects from adoration to urgent plea.
• unto the LORD: Referring to Yahweh (YHWH, יהוה), the covenant God of Israel. It emphasizes the specific and exclusive divine recipient of the prayer, distinguishing Israel's worship from that of surrounding pagan nations and their deities.
• he arose: From Hebrew qum (קוּם), meaning "to stand up, rise." This action signifies the physical completion of his prayer posture and a transition to his next action of blessing the assembly.
• from before the altar of the LORD: The bronze altar of burnt offering, located in the Temple courtyard. It was the central point of sacrifice and atonement. Solomon was praying in full view of this sacred object, symbolizing access to God through covenant and atonement. His position indicates humility and awareness of sacrifice.
• from kneeling on his knees: Hebrew bārāḵ 'al birkāyw (בָּרַךְ עַל־בִּרְכָּיו). This posture is deeply significant. Kneeling denotes profound humility, reverence, submission, and earnestness before a higher authority. For a king, this was an extraordinary act of self-abasement, showcasing his absolute dependence on God, contrary to the pride often associated with monarchs.
• with his hands spread up to heaven: Hebrew pārōś kappyōw el haššāmayim. This was a common gesture of prayer in the ancient Near East and throughout biblical tradition. It signifies entreaty, dependence, longing for divine intervention, openness to receive blessing, or an upward focus towards God's dwelling place, from whom all help and grace come.

• "had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication": This phrase underlines the exhaustive nature of Solomon's intercession. It was a complete act, leaving nothing unsaid before God, indicative of his thorough dedication.
• "he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees": The combination of rising from the posture of kneeling before the altar encapsulates a full cycle of humble worship and its completion. The altar grounds the prayer in the context of covenant sacrifice and atonement, reminding the worshipper of God's holy nature and the means of approach.
• "kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven": This describes the totality of his physical devotion. His entire body expressed humility, dependence, and aspiration towards the divine, making his prayer a complete act of reverence and spiritual vulnerability before God. This combined posture is a powerful visual of earnest entreaty.

1 Kings 8 54 Bonus section

• The Royal Intercessor: Solomon, despite his immense power and wisdom, serves as an example of a king who humbly and physically bows before his divine sovereign, YHWH. This humility is paramount to legitimate rule in Israel.
• Sacred Space and Prayer: Praying "before the altar" subtly connects the verbal petition with the sacrificial system. While his prayer was not a sacrifice itself, it was offered at the heart of the sacrificial worship, emphasizing that access to God often involves a profound understanding of atonement and God's provision.
• A Public Act of Devotion: Solomon's detailed and lengthy prayer, followed by this visible act of humble conclusion, was performed before "all the assembly of Israel" (1 Ki 8:22). This made his posture a public teaching moment on how one approaches the Creator, fostering reverence within the nation.
• Transition Point: This verse is a precise pivot point from prayer (dialogue with God) to action (blessing the people, offering sacrifices). It signifies that communion with God should precede and inform our actions towards others.

1 Kings 8 54 Commentary

1 Kings 8:54 concludes Solomon's seminal prayer at the Temple dedication, illustrating his profound humility and devotion. His act of kneeling before the altar with hands spread toward heaven signified his complete reliance on God and serves as an enduring model for earnest, reverent prayer. The prayer's completion led immediately to a blessing upon the people, reflecting that effective intercession before God empowers subsequent action and divine favor for the community. This moment emphasizes the transition from direct, intimate communion with the Almighty to engaging with the responsibilities and blessings within the covenant community.