1 Kings 9:1-9
The work undertaken by Solomon is finished. V. 1 points out that he has taken pleasure in its achievement. Does he not teach us a lesson? Let us take pleasure in doing whatever the Lord asks of us, because it is He who asks it! Now the LORD gives His answer to the king’s prayer. The house in which His glory is to dwell is to be His prime motive for blessing Israel, for hearing and for forgiving. In the Christian era, it is with the name of Jesus that God links His own glory and the granting of the prayers addressed to Him (John 14:13-14). For it was in Jesus, and no longer in a temple, that God came to dwell in our midst (John 1:14; Colossians 1:19; Colossians 2:9; 1 Timothy 3:16). Are not the Father’s eyes and the Father’s heart always set upon this perfect Man (cf. v. 3). And we can at any time speak to Him in the name of Jesus for the granting of our prayers; "Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed" (Psalms 84:9).
The Lord then brings before Solomon and before the people their own responsibility. His presence in their midst demands strict separation from evil on their part; otherwise this privilege will be taken from them, and Israel as a nation will be cut off.