Ver. 1. The fire came down from heaven.] In a miraculous manner, to testify God’s approbation. This fire was kept alive till the captivity of Babylon: and after that, it was said to have been miraculously also renewed; [/APC 2Ma 1:18-22] fides sit penes authorem. And the glory of the Lord filled the house,] i.e., The thick cloud, a sign of God’s glory, hidden here from us who are not able to behold it: like as we cannot look upon the sun in rota, but only in radiis. When we come to heaven, we shall see him as he is; see as we are seen.
Ver. 2. And the priests could not enter.] See 1 Kings 8:11. By reason of an astonishing reverence: besides the brightness of the glory, as before.
Ver. 3. Saw how the fire came down.] Though the Lord do not now thus sensibly answer prayers by fire from heaven, or by shaking the house, as Acts 4:31, yet by faith we are assured, and by experience confirmed, that they are graciously accepted.
Ver. 4. Then the king, &c.] See 1 Kings 8:62.
Ver. 5. Of twenty and two thousand oxen.] The greatest offering that we do anywhere read of. The emperor’s hecatombs—wherein they gloried, and whereby they thought they merited—consisting of a hundred eagles, a hundred lions, a hundred swine, &c., offered to their gods, were nothing to it.
Ver. 6. To praise the Lord,] sc., With Psalms 136 See 2 Chronicles 5:13. The rest of the Israelites stood by the priests and Levites, praising God in their hearts.
Ver. 7. Moreover, Solomon hallowed.] See on 1 Kings 8:64.
Ver. 8. Solomon kept the feast.] See 1 Kings 8:65.
Ver. 10. And on the three and twentieth day.] On the two and twentieth he dismissed those that dwelt within a Sabbath day’s journey. (1 Kings 8:66)
Ver. 11. See on 1 Kings 9:1.
Ver. 12. And the Lord appeared to Solomon by night.] Night and day God is doing good to his people. As a good householder, if he hear but a noise in the house by night, or smell but a smoke, starteth up, &c.; so here.
Ver. 13. If I shut up heaven, &c.] In answer this is to that prayer of Solomon, 1 Kings 8:35,37.
Ver. 14. And turn from their wicked ways.] This is optima et aptissima poenitentia, saith Luther, the best repentance. And will heal their land.] Of the wounds and bloody welts that my judgments have left upon it.
Ver. 15-17. , &c. See on 1 Kings 9:3-9.
Ver. 22. And it shall be answered.] Or, And they shall answer. (1 Kings 9:9) Non quidem omnes, sed pii et rerum periti. The godly who shall say so.