Wesley Corpus

Chapter VII God answers by fire, the people worship, ver. 1 - 3. Solomon's sacrifices, ver. 4 - 7. After keeping the feast he sends the people away, ver. 8 - 11. God appears to him in a vision, ver. 12 - 22. The fire &c. - In token of God's acceptance of his prayer. The surest evidence of God's acceptance of our prayers is the descent of his holy fire upon us. As a farther token that God accepted Solomon's prayer, the glory of the Lord filled the house; the heart that is filled with an holy awe and reverence of the divine glory, to which God manifests his greatness, and (which is no less his glory) his goodness, is thereby owned as a living temple. With their faces - Thus expressing their awful dread of the Divine Majesty, their chearful submission to the Divine authority, and the sense they had of their utter unworthiness to enter into his presence. Upon - The cloud first came down upon the house, and then entered into the house, and was seen both within it by the priests, and without it by the people. David praised - For David composed the psalms or hymns, and appointed them to be sung by the Levites, and instrumental music to be joined to their voices. This house - There will I make myself known, and there will I be called upon. Chapter VIII Solomon's buildings, ver. 1 - 6. His workmen and officers, ver. 7 - 10. He settles his wife, ver. 11. Fixes the method of the temple service, ver. 12 - 16. His trade, ver. 17, 18. The house - He built this house for her; because the ark was now in the house of David, which therefore ought to be kept pure and free from the very danger and appearance of pollution. Man of God - A prophet inspired by God in these matters, whose commands therefore are the commands of God. Prepared - All the materials were procured, and in all points fitted and compleated before - hand.