(40-42) THE PERORATION.

(40) Let, I beseech thee, thine eyes be open.--Comp. 2Chronicles 6:20, supr., and 2Chronicles 7:15; also 1Kings 8:52.

And let thine ears be attent.--Attentive, listening (qas's'-both). The same phrase recurs (2Chronicles 7:15), which is, in fact, a repetition of the whole verse in the shape of a Divine promise, Qas's'-both occurs, besides, only in the late Psalm 130:2.

The prayer that is made in this place.--See margin. "The prayer of this place" is a strange phrase, only occurring here and in 2Chronicles 7:15.

Verses 40-42. - These three verses are wanting in the parallel, which has kept us four verses (50-53) not shown here. Our two verses 41 and 42 are doubly interesting, first, as almost an exact copy of the words of David (Psalm 132:8-10); and secondly, as not an entirely exact copy, in some respects the form of word not being identical, though the signification is the same, and in other respects the clause being not identical, though still the meaning is essentially equal.

6:1-42 Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the temple. - The order of Solomon's prayer is to be observed. First and chiefly, he prays for repentance and forgiveness, which is the chief blessing, and the only solid foundation of other mercies: he then prays for temporal mercies; thereby teaching us what things to mind and desire most in our prayers. This also Christ hath taught us in his perfect pattern and form of prayer, where there is but one prayer for outward, and all the rest are for spiritual blessings. The temple typified the human nature of Christ, in whom dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. The ark typified his obedience and sufferings, by which repenting sinners have access to a reconciled God, and communion with him. Jehovah has made our nature his resting-place for ever, in the person of Emmanuel, and through him he dwells with, and delights in his church of redeemed sinners. May our hearts become his resting-place; may Christ dwell therein by faith, consecrating them as his temples, and shedding abroad his love therein. May the Father look upon us in and through his Anointed; and may he remember and bless us in all things, according to his mercy to sinners, in and through Christ.See Introduction to Chapter 5