The First Book of Kings


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The First Book of Kings
Chapter Eight



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1-Kings 8
The Supplication of Solomon on Behalf of Israel


To Hear a Talk based on the Text below:
The Supplication of Solomon
(ca. 57 minutes)
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Talk includes points not mentioned in the text.



The Dedication of the Temple and the Prayer of  Solomon
 
 [1-Kings 8:1] THEN SOLOMON ASSEMBLED THE ELDERS OF ISRAEL, AND ALL THE HEADS OF THE  TRIBES, THE CHIEF OF THE FATHERS OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, UNTO KING SOLOMON IN JERUSALEM, THAT THEY MIGHT BRING UP THE ARK OF THE COVENANT OF THE LORD OUT OF THE  CITY OF DAVID, WHICH IS ZION.
THE ELDERS OF ISRAEL. In Hebrew "Ziknei Yisrael". "Elder" is "zaken" or in plural "zakenim".   This can also apply to anyone who is learned and from whom advice is taken no matter what their age. The expression   THE ELDERS OF ISRAEL usually applies to the Sanhedrin or its equivalent.              
THE HEADS OF THE  TRIBES. Each Tribes had its own "Prince" and Princely House.
THE CHIEF OF THE FATHERS. Hebrew "Nasii Ha-Avot". This should perhaps be rendered "Those who were the most exalted out of the Patrilineal Family Groupings".
 
[1-Kings 8:2] AND ALL THE MEN OF ISRAEL ASSEMBLED THEMSELVES UNTO KING SOLOMON AT  THE FEAST IN THE MONTH ETHANIM, WHICH IS THE SEVENTH MONTH.                     
ETHANIM (Modern Hebrew "Aitanim") means "Strong Ones" or "Might Men". According to tradition all the Patriarchs (i.e. the Mighty Men) were born in this month.
This is the month of Tishrei which overlaps September-October. In this month fall the Festivals of Rosh HaShanah (New Year), Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), and Tabernacles (Succot).
 
[1-Kings 8:3] AND ALL THE ELDERS OF ISRAEL CAME, AND THE PRIESTS TOOK UP THE ARK.                     
 
[1-Kings 8:4] AND THEY BROUGHT UP THE ARK OF THE LORD, AND THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION, AND ALL THE HOLY VESSELS THAT WERE IN THE TABERNACLE, EVEN THOSE DID THE  PRIESTS AND THE LEVITES BRING UP.
The Tabernacle had previously been in Gibeon just outside of Jerusalem. Daat Mikra understands these verses to say that they brought up the ark from the City of David and different appurtenances that still remained from the Tabernacle in Gibeon.                    
 
[1-Kings 8:5] AND KING SOLOMON, AND ALL THE CONGREGATION OF ISRAEL, THAT WERE  ASSEMBLED UNTO HIM, WERE WITH HIM BEFORE THE ARK, SACRIFICING SHEEP AND OXEN, THAT  COULD NOT BE TOLD NOR NUMBERED FOR MULTITUDE.                     
 
[1-Kings 8:6] AND THE PRIESTS BROUGHT IN THE ARK OF THE COVENANT OF THE LORD UNTO HIS  PLACE, INTO THE ORACLE OF THE HOUSE, TO THE MOST HOLY PLACE, EVEN UNDER THE WINGS OF THE CHERUBIMS.                     
See 1-Kings 6:27
http://www.britam.org/Kings/1Kings6.html
And the illustration just below it.
 
[1-Kings 8:7] FOR THE CHERUBIMS SPREAD FORTH THEIR TWO WINGS OVER THE PLACE OF THE ARK, AND THE CHERUBIMS COVERED THE ARK AND THE STAVES THEREOF ABOVE.                     
 
[1-Kings 8:8] AND THEY DREW OUT THE STAVES, THAT THE ENDS OF THE STAVES WERE SEEN OUT IN THE HOLY PLACE BEFORE THE ORACLE, AND THEY WERE NOT SEEN WITHOUT: AND THERE THEY  ARE UNTO THIS DAY.                     
 
[1-Kings 8:9] THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE ARK SAVE THE TWO TABLES OF STONE, WHICH MOSES  PUT THERE AT HOREB, WHEN THE LORD MADE A COVENANT WITH THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, WHEN THEY CAME OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT.                     
HOREB is another name for Mount Sinai (Exodus 3:1) where the Israelites received the Law.
 
[1-Kings 8:10] AND IT CAME TO PASS, WHEN THE PRIESTS WERE COME OUT OF THE HOLY PLACE, THAT THE CLOUD FILLED THE HOUSE OF THE LORD,                     
 
[1-Kings 8:11] SO THAT THE PRIESTS COULD NOT STAND TO MINISTER BECAUSE OF THE CLOUD: FOR THE GLORY OF THE LORD HAD FILLED THE HOUSE OF THE LORD.                     
 
[1-Kings 8:12] THEN SPAKE SOLOMON, THE LORD SAID THAT HE WOULD DWELL IN THE THICK DARKNESS.
God was with them and had made HIS presence felt amongst them. Nethertheless HE chose to dwell in a place that could not be seen, IN THE THICK DARKNESS.                    
 
[1-Kings 8:13] I HAVE SURELY BUILT THEE AN HOUSE TO DWELL IN, A SETTLED PLACE FOR THEE TO  ABIDE IN FOR EVER.                     
 
[1-Kings 8:14] AND THE KING TURNED HIS FACE ABOUT, AND BLESSED ALL THE CONGREGATION OF ISRAEL: (AND ALL THE CONGREGATION OF ISRAEL STOOD;)  
King Solomon blessed all the People of Israel. Solomon was the King and a King is like a father to his subjects and can bless them as a father blesses his children.                  
 
[1-Kings 8:15] AND HE SAID, BLESSED BE THE LORD GOD OF ISRAEL, WHICH SPAKE WITH HIS MOUTH UNTO DAVID MY FATHER, AND HATH WITH HIS HAND FULFILLED IT, SAYING,
The Almighty had promised David that his son would build the Temple (2-Samuel 7:13).                   
 
 [1-Kings 8:16] SINCE THE DAY THAT I BROUGHT FORTH MY PEOPLE ISRAEL OUT OF EGYPT, I   CHOSE NO CITY OUT OF ALL THE TRIBES OF ISRAEL TO BUILD AN HOUSE, THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE THEREIN; BUT I CHOSE DAVID TO BE OVER MY PEOPLE ISRAEL. 
God chose David to be the King of Israel. David is the chosen monarch. This is the will of the Almighty. The rightful ruler of all Israel should be from the family of David. If it so happens that someone from another family has to be in charge then  their rulership should be considered as temporary. If  however the non-Davidic rulers merit it their reign could last for several generations.  In principle it could last indefinitely with the non-Davidic rulers eventually becoming deputies of the descendants of David. This was the eventuality that Yehonatan (son of Saul) hoped would fall to the lost of his denscendants under those of David.                   
 
[1-Kings 8:17] AND IT WAS IN THE HEART OF DAVID MY FATHER TO BUILD AN HOUSE FOR THE  NAME OF THE LORD GOD OF ISRAEL.                     
 
[1-Kings 8:18] AND THE LORD SAID UNTO DAVID MY FATHER, WHEREAS IT WAS IN THINE  HEART TO BUILD AN HOUSE UNTO MY NAME, THOU DIDST WELL THAT IT WAS IN THINE HEART.                     
 
[1-Kings 8:19] NEVERTHELESS THOU SHALT NOT BUILD THE HOUSE; BUT THY SON THAT SHALL COME  FORTH OUT OF THY LOINS, HE SHALL BUILD THE HOUSE UNTO MY NAME. 
We are told (2-Samuel ch.7) how David wished to build the Temple but was told by the Almighty through the Prophet Nathan that his son would do it.                   
 
[1-Kings 8:20] AND THE LORD HATH PERFORMED HIS WORD THAT HE SPAKE, AND I AM RISEN  UP IN THE ROOM OF DAVID MY FATHER, AND SIT ON THE THRONE OF ISRAEL, AS THE LORD  PROMISED, AND HAVE BUILT AN HOUSE FOR THE NAME OF THE LORD GOD OF ISRAEL. 
The Temple was a glorification of the Name of the God of Israel throughout the world.                   
 
[1-Kings 8:21] AND I HAVE SET THERE A PLACE FOR THE ARK, WHEREIN IS THE COVENANT OF THE   LORD, WHICH HE MADE WITH OUR FATHERS, WHEN HE BROUGHT THEM OUT OF THE LAND OF  EGYPT. 
The Covenant of God with Israel involves the Commandments that were placed in the Ark.                   
 
[1-Kings 8:22] AND SOLOMON STOOD BEFORE THE ALTAR OF THE LORD IN THE PRESENCE OF ALL THE CONGREGATION OF ISRAEL, AND SPREAD FORTH HIS HANDS TOWARD HEAVEN:                     
 
[1-Kings 8:23] AND HE SAID, LORD GOD OF ISRAEL, THERE IS NO GOD LIKE THEE, IN   HEAVEN ABOVE, OR ON EARTH BENEATH, WHO KEEPEST COVENANT AND MERCY WITH THY  SERVANTS THAT WALK BEFORE THEE WITH ALL THEIR HEART:                     
 
[1-Kings 8:24] WHO HAST KEPT WITH THY SERVANT DAVID MY FATHER THAT THOU PROMISEDST HIM: THOU SPAKEST ALSO WITH THY MOUTH, AND HAST FULFILLED IT WITH THINE HAND, AS IT IS THIS DAY.                     
 
[1-Kings 8:25] THEREFORE NOW, LORD GOD OF ISRAEL, KEEP WITH THY SERVANT DAVID MY FATHER THAT THOU PROMISEDST HIM, SAYING, THERE SHALL NOT FAIL THEE A MAN IN MY SIGHT TO  SIT ON THE THRONE OF ISRAEL; SO THAT THY CHILDREN TAKE HEED TO THEIR WAY, THAT THEY WALK   BEFORE ME AS THOU HAST WALKED BEFORE ME.    
We have discussed this several times.
See:
 Sons of David as Rulers
 http://www.britam.org/Proof/Attributes/roleDavid.html

           
The Divine Promises to David:
Were they Unconditional?
 http://www.britam.org/Kings/1Kings2.html#Divine

In short there would always be rulers from the seed of David over a significant section of the descendants of Israel though the REAL fulfillment of the Promise will only be actualized in the Messianic Age.
 
[1-Kings 8:26] AND NOW, O GOD OF ISRAEL, LET THY WORD, I PRAY THEE, BE VERIFIED,  WHICH THOU SPAKEST UNTO THY SERVANT DAVID MY FATHER.                     
 
[1-Kings 8:27] BUT WILL GOD INDEED DWELL ON THE EARTH? BEHOLD, THE HEAVEN AND HEAVEN OF HEAVENS CANNOT CONTAIN THEE; HOW MUCH LESS THIS HOUSE THAT I HAVE  BUILDED?    
                
[1-Kings 8:28] YET HAVE THOU RESPECT UNTO THE PRAYER OF THY SERVANT, AND TO HIS SUPPLICATION, O LORD MY GOD, TO HEARKEN UNTO THE CRY AND TO THE PRAYER, WHICH THY SERVANT PRAYETH BEFORE THEE TO DAY:
                    
[1-Kings 8:29] THAT THINE EYES MAY BE OPEN TOWARD THIS HOUSE NIGHT AND DAY, EVEN TOWARD THE PLACE OF WHICH THOU HAST SAID, MY NAME SHALL BE THERE: THAT THOU MAYEST  HEARKEN UNTO THE PRAYER WHICH THY SERVANT SHALL MAKE TOWARD THIS PLACE.    
                
[1-Kings 8:30] AND HEARKEN THOU TO THE SUPPLICATION OF THY SERVANT, AND OF THY PEOPLE  ISRAEL, WHEN THEY SHALL PRAY TOWARD THIS PLACE: AND HEAR THOU IN HEAVEN THY DWELLING  PLACE: AND WHEN THOU HEAREST, FORGIVE.  
The site of the Temple Mount is always sacred even when there is Temple there.
When praying one should preferably face in the direction of the Temple.
WHEN THOU HEAREST, FORGIVE.   We can always be forgiven. We just have to repent and atone. This is easier said than done but it can be done. The first and most important step is simply to make the request for forgivingness.                  
 
[1-Kings 8:31] IF ANY MAN TRESPASS AGAINST HIS NEIGHBOUR, AND AN OATH BE LAID UPON HIM TO CAUSE HIM TO SWEAR, AND THE OATH COME BEFORE THINE ALTAR IN THIS HOUSE:                     
 
[1-Kings 8:32] THEN HEAR THOU IN HEAVEN, AND DO, AND JUDGE THY SERVANTS, CONDEMNING THE WICKED, TO BRING HIS WAY UPON HIS HEAD; AND JUSTIFYING THE RIGHTEOUS, TO GIVE HIM ACCORDING TO HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS.                     
 
[1-Kings 8:33] WHEN THY PEOPLE ISRAEL BE SMITTEN DOWN BEFORE THE ENEMY, BECAUSE   THEY HAVE SINNED AGAINST THEE, AND SHALL TURN AGAIN TO THEE, AND CONFESS THY NAME, AND PRAY, AND MAKE SUPPLICATION UNTO THEE IN THIS HOUSE: 
If our enemies defeat us it is because we have sinned. We must repent and God will forgive us.
One should however avoid going into battle or any form of confrontation and thinking that because of your superior virtues the Almighty will grant you victory.
Simply ask God to help you and trust in HIM.
Do not rely on yourself.                 
 
[1-Kings 8:34] THEN HEAR THOU IN HEAVEN, AND FORGIVE THE SIN OF THY PEOPLE ISRAEL, AND BRING THEM AGAIN UNTO THE LAND WHICH THOU GAVEST UNTO THEIR FATHERS.
This is a rpomise that the ALMIGHTY will bring the Exiles of Israel back to their Land.                    
 
[1-Kings 8:35] WHEN HEAVEN IS SHUT UP, AND THERE IS NO RAIN, BECAUSE THEY HAVE SINNED AGAINST THEE; IF THEY PRAY TOWARD THIS PLACE, AND CONFESS THY NAME, AND TURN FROM THEIR SIN, WHEN THOU AFFLICTEST THEM:                     
 
[1-Kings 8:36] THEN HEAR THOU IN HEAVEN, AND FORGIVE THE SIN OF THY SERVANTS, AND OF  THY PEOPLE ISRAEL, THAT THOU TEACH THEM THE GOOD WAY WHEREIN THEY SHOULD WALK, AND GIVE RAIN UPON THY LAND, WHICH THOU HAST GIVEN TO THY PEOPLE FOR AN INHERITANCE.                     
 
[1-Kings 8:37] IF THERE BE IN THE LAND FAMINE, IF THERE BE PESTILENCE, BLASTING, MILDEW, LOCUST, OR IF THERE BE CATERPILLER; IF THEIR ENEMY BESIEGE THEM IN THE LAND OF THEIR CITIES;  WHATSOEVER PLAGUE, WHATSOEVER SICKNESS THERE BE;                     
 
[1-Kings 8:38] WHAT PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION SOEVER BE MADE BY ANY MAN, OR BY ALL  THY PEOPLE ISRAEL, WHICH SHALL KNOW EVERY MAN THE PLAGUE OF HIS OWN HEART, AND SPREAD FORTH HIS HANDS TOWARD THIS HOUSE:      
Whatever happens outside of you may reflect something inside your own being. Rectify yourselves
And your surroundings may well be corrected as it says EVERY  MAN THE PLAGUE OF HIS OWN HEART. The plagues that will come upon them will be because of the sickness in their own souls.            
 
[1-Kings 8:39] THEN HEAR THOU IN HEAVEN THY DWELLING PLACE, AND FORGIVE, AND DO, AND  GIVE TO EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS WAYS, WHOSE HEART THOU KNOWEST; (FOR THOU, EVEN THOU ONLY, KNOWEST THE HEARTS OF ALL THE CHILDREN OF MEN;)                     
 
[1-Kings 8:40] THAT THEY MAY FEAR THEE ALL THE DAYS THAT THEY LIVE IN THE LAND WHICH  THOU GAVEST UNTO OUR FATHERS.                     
 
[1-Kings 8:41] MOREOVER CONCERNING A STRANGER, THAT IS NOT OF THY PEOPLE ISRAEL, BUT  COMETH OUT OF A FAR COUNTRY FOR THY NAME'S SAKE;                     
 
[1-Kings 8:42] (FOR THEY SHALL HEAR OF THY GREAT NAME, AND OF THY STRONG HAND, AND OF THY STRETCHED OUT ARM;) WHEN HE SHALL COME AND PRAY TOWARD THIS HOUSE;                     
 
[1-Kings 8:43] HEAR THOU IN HEAVEN THY DWELLING PLACE, AND DO ACCORDING TO ALL THAT  THE STRANGER CALLETH TO THEE FOR: THAT ALL PEOPLE OF THE EARTH MAY KNOW THY NAME, TO FEAR THEE, AS DO THY PEOPLE ISRAEL; AND THAT THEY MAY KNOW THAT THIS HOUSE, WHICH I  HAVE BUILDED, IS CALLED BY THY NAME.   
The non-Israelite foreigner who acknowledges the God of Israel will be saved if he sincerely asks for help.                 
 
[1-Kings 8:44] IF THY PEOPLE GO OUT TO BATTLE AGAINST THEIR ENEMY, WHITHERSOEVER THOU SHALT SEND THEM, AND SHALL PRAY UNTO THE LORD TOWARD THE CITY WHICH THOU HAST CHOSEN, AND TOWARD THE HOUSE THAT I HAVE BUILT FOR THY NAME:                     
 
[1-Kings 8:45] THEN HEAR THOU IN HEAVEN THEIR PRAYER AND THEIR SUPPLICATION, AND MAINTAIN THEIR CAUSE. 
If we pray God will help us.                   
 
[1-Kings 8:46] IF THEY SIN AGAINST THEE, (FOR THERE IS NO MAN THAT SINNETH NOT,) AND THOU BE ANGRY WITH THEM, AND DELIVER THEM TO THE ENEMY, SO THAT THEY CARRY THEM AWAY CAPTIVES UNTO THE LAND OF THE ENEMY, FAR OR NEAR;                     
 
[1-Kings 8:47] YET IF THEY SHALL BETHINK THEMSELVES IN THE LAND WHITHER THEY WERE   CARRIED CAPTIVES, AND REPENT, AND MAKE SUPPLICATION UNTO THEE IN THE LAND OF THEM THAT CARRIED THEM CAPTIVES, SAYING, WE HAVE SINNED, AND HAVE DONE PERVERSELY, WE  HAVE COMMITTED WICKEDNESS;                     
 
[1-Kings 8:48] AND SO RETURN UNTO THEE WITH ALL THEIR HEART, AND WITH ALL THEIR SOUL, IN  THE LAND OF THEIR ENEMIES, WHICH LED THEM AWAY CAPTIVE, AND PRAY UNTO THEE TOWARD  THEIR LAND, WHICH THOU GAVEST UNTO THEIR FATHERS, THE CITY WHICH THOU HAST CHOSEN, AND THE HOUSE WHICH I HAVE BUILT FOR THY NAME:                     
 
[1-Kings 8:49] THEN HEAR THOU THEIR PRAYER AND THEIR SUPPLICATION IN HEAVEN THY  DWELLING PLACE, AND MAINTAIN THEIR CAUSE,                     
 
[1-Kings 8:50] AND FORGIVE THY PEOPLE THAT HAVE SINNED AGAINST THEE, AND ALL THEIR TRANSGRESSIONS WHEREIN THEY HAVE TRANSGRESSED AGAINST THEE, AND GIVE THEM COMPASSION BEFORE THEM WHO CARRIED THEM CAPTIVE, THAT THEY MAY HAVE COMPASSION ON THEM:
When the Northern Ten Tribes were taken into Exile by the Assyrians some of them were treated as slaves and subjected to hard labor. Others were treated relatively well and soon reached important positions in the Assyrian administration. A portion of them due to external events were enabled to assert their independence at an early date. For the rest it took a little longer but eventually they were released.
So too,  on innumerable occasions the Jews who descended from inhabitants of the southern Kingdom of Judah  were persecuted and driven from one place to another. Despite the persecutions of the Jews by their Gentile neighbors it often happened that rulers and princes would have mercy on them. There were times and areas where the Jews were relatively well off by contemporary standards. In fact from an historical perspective the Jews may well have had it better than most other peoples.  They usually had a good family life, relative health, and prosperity. They learned the Law which gave them an intellectual enlightenment that other peoples did not have.                    
 
[1-Kings 8:51] FOR THEY BE THY PEOPLE, AND THINE INHERITANCE, WHICH THOU BROUGHTEST FORTH OUT OF EGYPT, FROM THE MIDST OF THE FURNACE OF IRON:                     
 
[1-Kings 8:52] THAT THINE EYES MAY BE OPEN UNTO THE SUPPLICATION OF THY SERVANT, AND UNTO THE SUPPLICATION OF THY PEOPLE ISRAEL, TO HEARKEN UNTO THEM IN ALL THAT THEY CALL  FOR UNTO THEE.                     
 
[1-Kings 8:53] FOR THOU DIDST SEPARATE THEM FROM AMONG ALL THE PEOPLE OF THE EARTH,  TO BE THINE INHERITANCE, AS THOU SPAKEST BY THE HAND OF MOSES THY SERVANT, WHEN THOU BROUGHTEST OUR FATHERS OUT OF EGYPT, O LORD GOD.
This is recalled in the Book of Exodus. 
The People of Israel had just sinned by committing idolatry and worshipping the golden bull calf. The Almighty had almost destroyed them but Moses interceded and God had mercy.
Moses then asked God to forgive them and also to distinguish then from all other peoples, that only they would be the special people of God through whom the Almighty could be known.
And God agreed.
 
[Exodus 33:16] FOR WHEREIN SHALL IT BE KNOWN HERE THAT I AND THY PEOPLE HAVE FOUND GRACE IN THY SIGHT? IS IT NOT IN THAT THOU GOEST WITH US? SO SHALL WE BE SEPARATED, I AND THY  PEOPLE, FROM ALL THE PEOPLE THAT ARE UPON THE FACE OF THE EARTH.                     
 
[Exodus 33:17] AND THE LORD SAID UNTO MOSES, I WILL DO THIS THING ALSO THAT THOU HAST SPOKEN: FOR THOU HAST FOUND GRACE IN MY SIGHT, AND I KNOW THEE BY NAME.                     
 
We spoke of this matter in our talk on Parshat "KiTisa".
See:                  
Ki Tisa

http://www.britam.org/Broadcasts/NewBambi.html#GC


The Golden Calf and the God of Israel and the Choseness of Israel
Exodus 30:11-34:35 (44 minutes)

[1-Kings 8:54] AND IT WAS SO, THAT WHEN SOLOMON HAD MADE AN END OF PRAYING ALL THIS PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION UNTO THE LORD, HE AROSE FROM BEFORE THE ALTAR OF THE LORD, FROM KNEELING ON HIS KNEES WITH HIS HANDS SPREAD UP TO HEAVEN.                     
 
[1-Kings 8:55] AND HE STOOD, AND BLESSED ALL THE CONGREGATION OF ISRAEL WITH A LOUD   VOICE, SAYING,                     
 
[1-Kings 8:56] BLESSED BE THE LORD, THAT HATH GIVEN REST UNTO HIS PEOPLE ISRAEL,  ACCORDING TO ALL THAT HE PROMISED: THERE HATH NOT FAILED ONE WORD OF ALL HIS GOOD   PROMISE, WHICH HE PROMISED BY THE HAND OF MOSES HIS SERVANT. 
When we pray we should end or begin our prayers with a request that God bless the People of Israel and Judah.                   
 
[1-Kings 8:57] THE LORD OUR GOD BE WITH US, AS HE WAS WITH OUR FATHERS: LET HIM NOT  LEAVE US, NOR FORSAKE US: 
One should bless others in order to bring a blessing on oneself and those whom one holds dear.                   
 
[1-Kings 8:58] THAT HE MAY INCLINE OUR HEARTS UNTO HIM, TO WALK IN ALL HIS WAYS, AND TO  KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS, AND HIS STATUTES, AND HIS JUDGMENTS, WHICH HE COMMANDED  OUR FATHERS. 
We should all want to do the will of the Almighty and keep HIS commandments.
This is not easy.
It may be especially hard for "Ephraimites" who technically speaking are not obliged to keep the Law. Nevertheless many Ephraimite descendants of the Lost Ten Tribes are being aroused by Divine Providence to Keep the Law.
Some of them want to but lack the strength to do so.
Others want to, probably are strong enough to do so but they do not know how.  
Pray to God, remind HIM of HIS promises and of this prayer of  Solomon and the Almighty will help.
This Prayer of Solomon is not only a request. It is a promise of Prophetic significance.               
 
[1-Kings 8:59] AND LET THESE MY WORDS, WHEREWITH I HAVE MADE SUPPLICATION BEFORE  THE LORD, BE NIGH UNTO THE LORD OUR GOD DAY AND NIGHT, THAT HE MAINTAIN THE  CAUSE OF HIS SERVANT, AND THE CAUSE OF HIS PEOPLE ISRAEL AT ALL TIMES, AS THE MATTER  SHALL REQUIRE:                     
 
[1-Kings 8:60] THAT ALL THE PEOPLE OF THE EARTH MAY KNOW THAT THE LORD IS GOD, AND  THAT THERE IS NONE ELSE. 
We need to succeed not only for our own sakes but also for the sake of the Almighty.
The God of Israel in some way is judged by what we are.                   
 
[1-Kings 8:61] LET YOUR HEART THEREFORE BE PERFECT WITH THE LORD OUR GOD, TO WALK  IN HIS STATUTES, AND TO KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS, AS AT THIS DAY.                     
 
[1-Kings 8:62] AND THE KING, AND ALL ISRAEL WITH HIM, OFFERED SACRIFICE BEFORE THE  LORD.                     
 
[1-Kings 8:63] AND SOLOMON OFFERED A SACRIFICE OF PEACE OFFERINGS, WHICH HE OFFERED UNTO THE LORD, TWO AND TWENTY THOUSAND OXEN, AND AN HUNDRED AND TWENTY  THOUSAND SHEEP. SO THE KING AND ALL THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL DEDICATED THE HOUSE OF THE LORD.
Solomon offered up on behalf of Israel 22,000 head of cattle and 120, 000 sheep.                    
 
[1-Kings 8:64] THE SAME DAY DID THE KING HALLOW THE MIDDLE OF THE COURT THAT WAS   BEFORE THE HOUSE OF THE LORD: FOR THERE HE OFFERED BURNT OFFERINGS, AND MEAT OFFERINGS, AND THE FAT OF THE PEACE OFFERINGS: BECAUSE THE BRASEN ALTAR THAT WAS BEFORE  THE LORD WAS TOO LITTLE TO RECEIVE THE BURNT OFFERINGS, AND MEAT OFFERINGS, AND THE  FAT OF THE PEACE OFFERINGS.                     
 
[1-Kings 8:65] AND AT THAT TIME SOLOMON HELD A FEAST, AND ALL ISRAEL WITH HIM, A GREAT CONGREGATION, FROM THE ENTERING IN OF HAMATH UNTO THE RIVER OF EGYPT, BEFORE THE  LORD OUR GOD, SEVEN DAYS AND SEVEN DAYS, EVEN FOURTEEN DAYS.
Solomon ruled over the Greater Land of Israel stretching from the area of south-east Turkey up unto the western branches of the Nile River.
See:
What Are the Boundaries of the Promised Land According to the Bible?
http://www.britam.org/Questions/QuesLand.html#Boundaries
            
[1-Kings 8:66] ON THE EIGHTH DAY HE SENT THE PEOPLE AWAY: AND THEY BLESSED THE KING,  AND WENT UNTO THEIR TENTS JOYFUL AND GLAD OF HEART FOR ALL THE GOODNESS THAT THE LORD HAD DONE FOR DAVID HIS SERVANT, AND FOR ISRAEL HIS PEOPLE.



 
1-Kings ch.7		 harp 1-Kings ch.9