John Gill
INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 8 This chapter gives an account of the introduction of the ark into the temple, 1 Kings 8:1 of the glory of the Lord filling it, 1 Kings 8:10 of a speech Solomon made to the people concerning the building of the temple, and how he came to be engaged in it, 1 Kings 8:12, of a prayer of his he put up on this occasion, requesting, that what supplications soever were made at...
John Gill
That thine eyes may be open towards this house night and day,.... That is, to the people that pray in it, as they are to his righteous ones, Psalms 33:14 even towards the place of which thou hast my name shall be there; there should be some displays of his presence, power, and providence, of goodness, grace, and mercy: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make towards...
Matthew Henry
The building and furniture of the temple were very glorious, but the dedication of it exceeds in glory as much as prayer and praise, the work of saints, exceed the casting of metal and the graving of stones, the work of the craftsman. The temple was designed for the keeping up of the correspondence between God and his people; and here we have an account of the solemnity of their first meeting...