1 Kings 8:45

Then hear thou in heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause.

Then hear {H8085} thou in heaven {H8064} their prayer {H8605} and their supplication {H8467}, and maintain {H6213} their cause {H4941}.

then, in heaven, hear their prayer and plea, and uphold their cause.

then may You hear from heaven their prayer and their plea, and may You uphold their cause.

then hear thou in heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause.

1 Kings 8:45 is a poignant part of King Solomon's magnificent prayer of dedication for the First Temple in Jerusalem. In this verse, Solomon pleads with God to hear the prayers and supplications of the Israelites when they are in distress, particularly when they turn to Him in repentance, and to intervene on their behalf.

Context

This verse is situated within a lengthy and profound prayer offered by King Solomon during the dedication of the newly built Temple. Throughout 1 Kings chapter 8, Solomon envisions various scenarios where the people of Israel might face hardship—defeat in battle, famine, plague, or exile—due to their sin. In each instance, he asks God to hear their prayers from heaven if they turn towards the Temple and repent. Verse 45 specifically addresses a situation where the people go out to battle against their enemies, or wherever God sends them, and they pray to the Lord.

The entire prayer underscores the significance of the Temple as a focal point for prayer and God's presence, not as a place that contained God, but as a designated place where God promised to meet with His people and hear their petitions. It highlights the conditional nature of God's blessings, often tied to Israel's obedience and repentance.

Key Themes

  • Divine Responsiveness: The core request is for God to "hear thou in heaven their prayer and their supplication." This emphasizes God's attentiveness to the cries of His people, a recurring theme throughout Scripture.
  • God as Advocate: The phrase "maintain their cause" (Hebrew: 'asah mishpatam) implies God acting as a judge or advocate, upholding justice and defending His people. It speaks to God's active involvement in the affairs of those who seek Him.
  • Dependence on God: Solomon's prayer is a profound act of national dependence on God for protection, victory, and deliverance, acknowledging that true success comes only from divine intervention.
  • Covenant Faithfulness: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the broader context of Solomon's prayer is rooted in God's covenant with Israel. Solomon appeals to God's faithfulness to His promises, even when His people stumble.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "prayer" is tefillah (תְּפִלָּה), a general term for petition or intercession. "Supplication" comes from the Hebrew teḥinnah (תְּחִנָּה), which carries a nuance of earnest pleading or a humble request for favor, often in distress. The phrase "maintain their cause" translates the Hebrew 'asah mishpatam (עָשָׂה מִשְׁפָּטָם), which literally means "do their judgment" or "execute their right." This powerful idiom signifies God's active role in rendering justice or vindication on behalf of His people, particularly when they are wronged or in need of divine intervention.

Practical Application

King Solomon's prayer in 1 Kings 8:45 offers timeless insights for believers today. It reminds us that:

  • God Hears Prayer: Just as God promised to hear the Israelites, He continues to hear the prayers of His people today. We are encouraged to bring our petitions to Him with sincerity and faith.
  • God is Our Advocate: In times of trouble, injustice, or spiritual struggle, we can trust that God "maintains our cause." He is our divine defender and advocate, working on our behalf. This truth is powerfully echoed in the New Testament, where Christ is presented as our advocate with the Father.
  • The Importance of Seeking God: The underlying principle is that when we turn to God, especially in repentance, He is ready to respond. This verse encourages a posture of humility and reliance on God in all circumstances, knowing that He will hear from heaven and act.

This verse serves as an enduring testament to God's character: He is a God who listens, who judges righteously, and who actively intervenes for those who seek Him with a sincere heart.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 9:4

    For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right.

  • Genesis 18:25

    That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

  • Jeremiah 5:28

    They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.
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