The Prayer of Solomon (1 Ki. 8:22-9:9)

Michiana Covenant Presbyterian Church

In the 2 Chronicles version of this story, you hear God's famous response, "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." (7:14)Why is that missing here?The book of Kings is focused on the question of why the Exile? Chronicles is very interested in what to do after the Exile. Kings is not.Kings is interested in "why has this disaster fallen on Jerusalem?" For Kings, the point is that only God can raise the dead!For Chronicles, the point is that now that you have been raised from the dead, walk in newness of life!!The point that Kings is making is that when Judgment Day comes, it will be too late! When God brings disaster on the earth, there is nothing that can stop his mighty hand!And that's why Kings highlights Solomon's prayer.The central feature of this chapter is Solomon's prayer. Solomon's prayer is a model intercessory prayer.He takes the themes of the sermon – the basic gospel message that he preached – and structures his prayer around that...