1 Kings 8:33

KJV

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:

KJV (with Strong's)

When thy people {H5971} Israel {H3478} be smitten down {H5062} before {H6440} the enemy {H341}, because they have sinned {H2398} against thee, and shall turn again {H7725} to thee, and confess {H3034} thy name {H8034}, and pray {H6419}, and make supplication {H2603} unto thee in this house {H1004}:

Complete Jewish Bible

"When your people Isra'el sin against you and in consequence are defeated by an enemy; then if they turn back to you, acknowledge your name, and pray and make their plea to you in this house;

Berean Standard Bible

When Your people Israel are defeated before an enemy because they have sinned against You, and they return to You and confess Your name, praying and pleading with You in this temple,

American Standard Version

When thy people Israel are smitten down before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee; if they turn again to thee, and confess thy name, and pray and make supplication unto thee in this house:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 8:33 forms a vital component of King Solomon's dedicatory prayer for the newly constructed Temple in Jerusalem, anticipating a future scenario where the nation of Israel might suffer military defeat due to their sin against God. This verse articulates a divinely ordained pathway to restoration, emphasizing that in the wake of such judgment, if the people genuinely turn back to God, confess His name, and offer prayer and supplication within the consecrated Temple, divine mercy and intervention would be extended to them. It underscores the conditional nature of God's covenant with Israel, where obedience brings blessing and disobedience invites discipline, yet always with a provision for repentance and reconciliation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Solomon's monumental prayer of dedication for the Temple, recorded in [1 Kings 8](/1_kings/8 "1 Kings 8 - Solomon's Prayer of Dedication"). Following the Ark of the Covenant's placement and the manifestation of God's glory (vv. [1 Kings 8:6-11](/1_kings/8-6 "1 Kings 8:6-11 - The Ark in the Temple")), Solomon blesses the assembly (vv. [1 Kings 8:14-21](/1_kings/8-14 "1 Kings 8:14-21 - Solomon's Blessing and Reminder of God's Promise")) and then launches into this extensive prayer (vv. [1 Kings 8:22-53](/1_kings/8-22 "1 Kings 8:22-53 - Solomon's Prayer")). His prayer is structured around various hypothetical calamities—defeat in battle (vv. [1 Kings 8:33-34](/1_kings/8-33 "1 Kings 8:33-34 - Prayer for Defeat and Repentance")), drought (vv. [1 Kings 8:35-36](/1_kings/8-35 "1 Kings 8:35-36 - Prayer for Drought and Forgiveness")), famine and plague (vv. [1 Kings 8:37-40](/1_kings/8-37 "1 Kings 8:37-40 - Prayer for Famine and Plague")), and exile (vv. [1 Kings 8:46-53](/1_kings/8-46 "1 Kings 8:46-53 - Prayer for Exile and Return"))—each scenario presenting a path to repentance and God's subsequent restoration. Verse [1 Kings 8:33](/1_kings/8-33 "1 Kings 8:33 - The People's Repentance in Defeat") specifically addresses military defeat, setting the stage for God's promised response in the following verse.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The dedication of the Temple marked a pivotal moment in Israelite history, signifying the establishment of a permanent dwelling place for God's presence among His people, replacing the portable tabernacle. This event occurred during the golden age of the united monarchy under Solomon, a period of unprecedented peace and prosperity. However, the covenant established at Sinai, particularly as reiterated in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"), clearly outlined the conditional nature of Israel's well-being. Blessings were contingent upon obedience to God's commands, while curses, including military defeat and exile, were the consequence of disobedience. Solomon's prayer, therefore, is not merely a hopeful petition but a profound theological acknowledgment of this covenantal framework, anticipating future national failures and providing a divinely sanctioned mechanism for reconciliation, centered on the Temple as the focal point for national repentance and divine intervention.
* **Key Themes:** [1 Kings 8:33](/1_kings/8-33 "1 Kings 8:33 - The People's Repentance in Defeat") powerfully articulates several key themes pervasive throughout the book of Kings and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it highlights the **consequence of sin**, explicitly stating that Israel's defeat would be "because they have sinned against thee," reinforcing the principle that national adversity often stems from corporate disobedience to God's covenant, as seen in passages like [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Curses for Disobedience"). Secondly, it emphasizes God's **mercy and the path to restoration**. Despite judgment, God provides a clear pathway back through repentance, confession, and prayer, underscoring His enduring faithfulness to His covenant people, even in their failings. This echoes the divine promise of healing and restoration found in [2 Chronicles 7:14](/2_chronicles/7-14 "2 Chronicles 7:14 - God's Promise to Heal the Land"). Thirdly, the verse underscores the **centrality of the Temple** as the designated place for God's presence and for the people to seek His face, confess their sins, and offer supplication, serving as a physical focal point for national reconciliation and divine intervention.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Smitten down (Hebrew, _nāgaph'_):** This verb (נָגַף) signifies being struck, defeated, or routed, particularly in battle. It implies a decisive and often humiliating defeat, indicating that the enemy has gained a clear victory. The use of this term underscores the severity of the consequence for Israel's sin, portraying a state of vulnerability and subjugation.
* **Turn again (Hebrew, _shuv'_):** Derived from the Hebrew verb (שׁוּב), this term is foundational to the biblical concept of repentance. It literally means "to turn back," "to return," or "to revert." In a spiritual context, it denotes a fundamental change of direction—a turning away from sin and disobedience, and a turning back towards God and His ways. This is not merely a change of mind but a reorientation of one's entire life and allegiance.
* **Confess thy name (Hebrew, _yādâ'_):** The verb (יָדָה) means to confess, praise, or give thanks. When combined with "thy name," it implies acknowledging God's character, attributes, and sovereignty. In the context of repentance, it involves an open admission of guilt and a public declaration of God's justice and faithfulness, often accompanied by an act of worship and submission to His authority.
* **Supplication (Hebrew, _tĕḥinnâ'_):** This noun (תְחִנָּה) refers to an earnest plea for favor, mercy, or grace. It conveys a sense of humility, desperation, and dependence, highlighting the contrite and urgent nature of the prayer being offered by those seeking divine intervention and forgiveness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"When thy people Israel be smitten down before the enemy":** This clause sets the hypothetical scenario of national military defeat, directly attributing it to a divine act of judgment or allowance. It speaks to a future time when Israel, God's chosen people, would suffer a significant setback at the hands of their adversaries.
* **"because they have sinned against thee":** This crucial phrase provides the explicit reason for the defeat, establishing a direct causal link between Israel's sin and their suffering. It highlights the covenantal principle that disobedience to God's commands would lead to negative consequences, emphasizing God's justice and the seriousness of sin.
* **"and shall turn again to thee":** This marks the beginning of the prescribed path to restoration. "Turning again" signifies a genuine act of repentance—a change of heart, mind, and direction, moving away from sin and back towards God. It implies a spiritual reorientation and a desire to realign with God's will.
* **"and confess thy name":** This clause specifies an essential component of repentance. To "confess God's name" involves acknowledging His identity, character, and sovereign authority, often in the context of admitting one's own wrongdoing and affirming God's righteousness. It is an act of humble submission and worship.
* **"and pray, and make supplication unto thee in this house":** These final phrases emphasize the role of the newly dedicated Temple as the designated place for reconciliation. "Pray" (תפלל, _hitpallel'_) refers to general prayer, while "make supplication" (תחנה, _tĕḥinnâ'_) denotes an earnest, humble plea for mercy. The act of doing so "in this house" (the Temple) underscores its significance as the focal point for national repentance and the place where God promised to hear and respond to His people's cries.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. A prominent one is the **Conditional Clause**, introduced by "When" and followed by a series of "and" conjunctions, which outlines a clear cause-and-effect relationship: if Israel sins and is defeated, *then* if they repent and pray, God will act. This structure underscores the covenantal nature of God's relationship with Israel, where divine action is contingent upon human response. The repeated emphasis on "turn again," "confess thy name," "pray," and "make supplication" forms a **Parallelism** or **Repetition**, highlighting the multi-faceted nature of true repentance and the comprehensive steps required for restoration. Furthermore, the entire prayer, including this verse, functions as a form of **Foreshadowing**, anticipating future national struggles and providing a theological framework for understanding and responding to them, demonstrating Solomon's prophetic insight and God's pre-emptive grace.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Kings 8:33 profoundly illustrates the enduring theological principles of divine justice, human responsibility, and God's boundless mercy. It affirms that sin carries consequences, even for God's chosen people, and that national adversity can be a direct result of corporate disobedience. Yet, it simultaneously reveals God's gracious provision for restoration, emphasizing that genuine repentance, expressed through turning, confession, and prayer, is the pathway back to divine favor. The Temple serves as the divinely appointed locus for this reconciliation, symbolizing God's accessibility and His willingness to hear and forgive His contrite people. This verse underscores the foundational Old Testament truth that God desires not merely obedience, but a relationship marked by faithfulness, and that His covenant promises include a path to renewal even after failure.

* [Leviticus 26:39-42](/leviticus/26-39 "Confession and Restoration")
* [Deuteronomy 30:1-3](/deuteronomy/30-1 "Return to the Lord")
* [Psalm 32:5](/psalms/32-5 "Confession and Forgiveness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While set in the context of ancient Israel and the Jerusalem Temple, the principles of 1 Kings 8:33 resonate deeply with individuals and communities today. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that disobedience to God's revealed will—whether individually or corporately—often leads to undesirable consequences, a form of being "smitten down" in personal struggles, relational brokenness, or societal decay. However, the profound hope offered here is that God, in His infinite mercy, always provides a path to restoration. Our "Temple" today is not a physical building but the very presence of God accessible through Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit. Therefore, when we recognize our sin, the call is to genuinely "turn again" to God, confess our wrongdoing, and humbly "pray and make supplication." This involves a sincere change of heart, an open acknowledgment of our failures, and a persistent seeking of God's forgiveness and guidance. It reminds us that God is always ready to receive those who come to Him with a contrite spirit, offering grace and a renewed relationship.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life, or our community's life, might we be experiencing consequences that point to unconfessed sin or disobedience to God?**
* **What does "turning again to God" truly look like for me personally, beyond mere words, encompassing a change in actions and attitudes?**
* **How does the practice of confessing God's name—acknowledging His character and authority—deepen my repentance and trust in His forgiveness?**
* **How can I more consistently and earnestly "pray and make supplication" in my life, trusting that God hears and responds to my humble pleas?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "this house" in Solomon's prayer?**

Answer: "This house" refers to the Temple in Jerusalem, which Solomon had just completed and dedicated to the Lord. Its significance is profound: it was consecrated as the physical dwelling place of God's presence among His people (though God is omnipresent, the Temple was His chosen earthly locus of special manifestation). Solomon's prayer, including [1 Kings 8:33](/1_kings/8-33 "1 Kings 8:33 - The People's Repentance in Defeat"), establishes the Temple as the designated place where Israel could appeal to God, confess their sins, and seek His mercy and intervention, confident that He would hear their prayers from His heavenly dwelling place. It was the central point of worship, sacrifice, and national reconciliation with God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Kings 8:33, with its emphasis on a physical Temple as the focal point for national repentance and divine reconciliation, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament Temple, with its sacrifices and prayers, was a shadow pointing to the reality found in Christ. Jesus Himself declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," referring to [the temple of His body](/john/2-19 "John 2:19 - Jesus, the New Temple") ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus, the New Temple")). He is the true and perfect Temple, the ultimate dwelling place of God among humanity ([Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - Fullness of Deity in Christ")). Furthermore, Christ is our ultimate High Priest, who intercedes for us in the heavenly sanctuary, making perpetual "supplication" on our behalf ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Jesus Our Eternal Priest"); [Hebrews 4:14-16](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14-16 - Jesus Our High Priest")). When we "turn again" from our sin, we turn to Him, confessing His name as Lord and Savior. Through His atoning sacrifice, He has taken away the sin that "smote us down," providing the ultimate pathway to restoration and forgiveness, not through a physical building, but through His own blood ([Romans 5:8-11](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8-11 - Reconciliation Through Christ's Blood")). Moreover, in the New Covenant, believers are collectively the "temple of the Holy Spirit" ([1 Corinthians 6:19-20](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Believers as God's Temple")), meaning that the principles of repentance, confession, and prayer are now fulfilled in our direct access to God through Christ, empowering us to live as His reconciled people, ambassadors of His reconciliation to the world ([2 Corinthians 5:18-20](/2_corinthians/5-18 "2 Corinthians 5:18-20 - Ministry of Reconciliation")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Leviticus 26:17

And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you.

Deuteronomy 28:25

The LORD shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.

2 Chronicles 6:24

And if thy people Israel be put to the worse before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee; and shall return and confess thy name, and pray and make supplication before thee in this house;

2 Chronicles 6:25

Then hear thou from the heavens, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which thou gavest to them and to their fathers.

Jonah 3:10

And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did [it] not.

Deuteronomy 28:48

Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all [things]: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee.

Leviticus 26:39

And they that are left of you shall pine away in their iniquity in your enemies' lands; and also in the iniquities of their fathers shall they pine away with them.