1 Kings 8:49

KJV

Then hear thou their prayer and their supplication in heaven thy dwelling place, and maintain their cause,

KJV (with Strong's)

Then hear {H8085} thou their prayer {H8605} and their supplication {H8467} in heaven {H8064} thy dwelling {H3427} place {H4349}, and maintain {H6213} their cause {H4941},

Complete Jewish Bible

then, in heaven where you live, hear their prayer and plea, uphold their cause,

Berean Standard Bible

then may You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place, their prayer and petition, and may You uphold their cause.

American Standard Version

then hear thou their prayer and their supplication in heaven thy dwelling-place, and maintain their cause;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 8:49 is a pivotal moment within King Solomon's profound dedicatory prayer for the newly consecrated Temple in Jerusalem. In this verse, Solomon, with remarkable prophetic foresight, appeals to God on behalf of future generations of Israelites who might find themselves exiled due to their sin. He implores the transcendent God to hear their earnest prayers and supplications from His heavenly dwelling place, even when they are far from the promised land, and to actively intervene to uphold and vindicate their cause. This plea powerfully underscores God's omnipresence, the enduring efficacy of repentant prayer, and His unwavering commitment to covenant faithfulness and divine justice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is intricately woven into the fabric of Solomon's extensive dedicatory prayer for the Temple, a theological masterpiece recorded in [1 Kings 8:22-53](/1_kings/8-22-53 "1 Kings 8:22-53 - Solomon's Dedicatory Prayer for the Temple"). The prayer immediately follows the awe-inspiring moment when the Ark of the Covenant is brought into the Most Holy Place and the glorious presence of the Lord fills the Temple, preventing the priests from ministering ([1 Kings 8:10-11](/1_kings/8-10-11 "1 Kings 8:10-11 - The Glory of the Lord Fills the Temple")). Solomon's prayer is not merely a celebration but a comprehensive prophetic intercession, anticipating various future scenarios for Israel, including sin, defeat by enemies, famine, pestilence, and most significantly, exile. Verse 49 specifically addresses the dire circumstances detailed in [1 Kings 8:46-48](/1_kings/8-46-48 "1 Kings 8:46-48 - Israel Sins and is Carried Captive"), where the people are taken captive into an enemy land and turn their hearts and prayers towards the land of their fathers and the Temple. This particular plea highlights the enduring hope that even in the most desperate situations, God's ear would remain open to their cries of repentance and distress.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The dedication of the Temple under Solomon's reign marked the apex of Israelite national and spiritual identity, symbolizing the establishment of a permanent, central dwelling place for God's presence among His people in Jerusalem. However, Solomon, drawing upon the covenant stipulations, acknowledged the precarious nature of Israel's relationship with Yahweh. In the ancient Near East, defeat in battle, subjugation, and eventual exile were common consequences for nations that violated treaties with their gods or more powerful suzerains. Solomon's prayer, therefore, reflects a deep understanding of both the covenant blessings and the severe curses outlined in the Torah, particularly in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses for Obedience and Disobedience"). Culturally, the Temple served as the singular, central focal point for Israelite worship, a place where God's "name" dwelt. Yet, Solomon's articulation of God's "dwelling place" being in heaven simultaneously affirms God's radical transcendence, a theological concept that profoundly distinguished Israel's God from the localized, immanent deities of surrounding pagan nations.

* **Key Themes:** Solomon's prayer, and specifically [1 Kings 8:49](/1_kings/8-49 "1 Kings 8:49 - Solomon's Prayer for Exiles"), contributes significantly to several major theological themes. Firstly, it underscores the **divine transcendence and accessibility** of God; while the Temple is a sacred earthly focal point, God's true "dwelling place" is in heaven, emphasizing His omnipresence and His ability to hear prayers from anywhere. This theme is powerfully echoed later in prophetic literature, such as [Isaiah 66:1](/isaiah/66-1 "Isaiah 66:1 - God's Throne is Heaven"), and finds New Testament affirmation in Stephen's sermon, where he declares that "[the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands](/acts/7-49 "Acts 7:49 - God Does Not Dwell in Temples Made with Hands")". Secondly, the verse highlights the **efficacy of prayer and supplication**, particularly when offered with genuine repentance. Solomon's plea rests on the profound conviction that God genuinely hears and responds to the sincere prayers of His people, even in their deepest distress or exile. Thirdly, the phrase "maintain their cause" speaks directly to God's **justice and intervention**. It is a fervent plea for God to act as a righteous judge on behalf of His people, seeking divine vindication and restoration when they are oppressed or facing adversity, whether due to their own sins or the actions of enemies. Finally, the entire prayer is a powerful appeal to God's **covenant faithfulness**, expressing an enduring hope that even in the midst of deserved punishment for sin, God will remember His promises and extend mercy upon genuine repentance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hear (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** This primitive root signifies not merely to perceive sound, but to hear intelligently, often with the implication of attention, understanding, and obedience. In this context, it is a fervent request for God to actively listen, comprehend, and respond to the prayers of His people. It implies a divine engagement that goes beyond mere auditory reception, leading to action.
* **Dwelling place (Hebrew, _mâkôwn'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to establish" or "to be firm," _mâkôwn_ properly refers to a fixture or a basis, and generally denotes a settled or established place, especially an abode or habitation. When applied to "heaven," as here, it emphasizes the fixed, eternal, and ultimate nature of God's transcendent abode, contrasting it with any temporary or earthly structure. It signifies God's unchangeable, sovereign residence.
* **Maintain their cause (Hebrew, _ʻâsâh mishpâṭ'_):** This powerful phrase combines the verb _ʻâsâh_ ("to do, make, accomplish") with the noun _mishpâṭ_ ("judgment, justice, verdict, right"). Literally, it means "to do their judgment" or "to execute their justice." It is far more than a request for sympathetic listening; it is a direct appeal for God to actively intervene as a righteous judge. It implies a divine act of vindication, setting things right, upholding the rights and well-being of His people, and bringing about a just resolution in their favor, whether against adversaries or the consequences of their own actions upon repentance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then hear thou their prayer and their supplication":** This opening clause is a direct, urgent, and deeply personal appeal to God's attentiveness. It expresses the core desire that God would not only perceive but also actively and favorably respond to the earnest cries of His people. The pairing of "prayer" (_tᵉphillâh_) and "supplication" (_tᵉchinnâh_) emphasizes the comprehensive nature of their pleas, encompassing both general petitions and specific, heartfelt requests for favor and mercy, particularly in times of distress, humility, and repentance.
* **"in heaven thy dwelling place":** This crucial phrase defines the transcendent location from which God is implored to hear and act. It serves to emphatically distinguish God's true and ultimate abode from the earthly Temple, asserting that His sovereign throne is in the vast, eternal heavens. This theological statement ensures that God's ability to hear and respond is not limited by physical proximity to Jerusalem or the Temple, thereby making Him accessible to His people even when they are in distant lands of exile, reinforcing His omnipresence.
* **"and maintain their cause":** This concluding clause articulates the desired outcome of God's attentive hearing. It is a profound plea for divine intervention and justice. To "maintain their cause" means for God to act as a righteous judge, to vindicate His people, to set right the injustices they suffer, or to restore them from the consequences of their actions, provided they have genuinely turned to Him in repentance. It signifies God's active, judicial involvement in the affairs of His people, ensuring a just and righteous resolution that aligns with His covenant promises.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices to convey its profound message. **Parallelism** is evident in the pairing of "prayer and their supplication," a form of synonymous parallelism that emphasizes the comprehensive nature and earnestness of the people's pleas. The phrase "heaven thy dwelling place" utilizes **metonymy**, where "heaven" represents the transcendent and all-encompassing nature of God's presence, authority, and ultimate abode, distinct from any earthly structure. The entire verse functions as a direct **plea** or **petition**, a powerful form of **apostrophe** as Solomon directly addresses God. Furthermore, the prayer demonstrates a remarkable degree of **anticipation**, as Solomon foresees future scenarios of sin and exile, framing his petition as a proactive intercession for generations yet to come, highlighting his prophetic insight and deep concern for the nation's spiritual well-being and their covenant relationship with God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Kings 8:49 stands as a powerful testament to the biblical understanding of God's multifaceted character: His transcendence, His accessibility, His justice, and His covenant faithfulness. It affirms that while God graciously chose to dwell among His people in a special way through the Temple, His ultimate "dwelling place" is in heaven, signifying His uncontainable glory and omnipresence. This transcendence, however, does not imply detachment; rather, it undergirds His ability to hear and respond to prayers from anywhere, at any time. The verse reinforces the profound truth that God is not merely a passive listener but an active participant in the affairs of humanity, particularly when His people turn to Him in repentance and supplication. The request to "maintain their cause" speaks directly to God's role as the divine judge, who upholds justice and intervenes on behalf of the oppressed or those who genuinely seek His restoration. This confidence in God's just intervention is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, assuring believers that their cries for vindication and mercy do not go unheard.

* [Psalm 102:17](/psalms/102-17 "Psalm 102:17 - God Hears the Prayer of the Destitute")
* [Isaiah 59:1-2](/isaiah/59-1-2 "Isaiah 59:1-2 - God's Hand is Not Shortened, but Sin Separates")
* [Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Kings 8:49 offers profound reassurance and practical guidance for believers today, transcending its historical context. It reminds us that our God is not confined by physical space, human limitations, or the boundaries of our circumstances; His "dwelling place" is heaven, yet He is intimately accessible to all who call upon Him in truth, regardless of their location or the depth of their distress. This truth liberates us from the misconception that God is distant or indifferent. Instead, it invites us into a dynamic, personal relationship where our prayers, especially those offered with a repentant and humble heart, are genuinely heard and considered by the Almighty. In times of personal distress, national crisis, or when facing injustice, we can take immense comfort in the knowledge that God is a righteous judge who cares deeply for the cause of His people. We are thus encouraged to bring our supplications and concerns to Him with persistence and faith, trusting that He actively listens and will "maintain our cause" according to His perfect wisdom, justice, and timing. This verse calls us to cultivate a life of confident prayer, unwavering faith in God's justice, and a humble posture of repentance, knowing that our heavenly Father is ever attentive to the cries of His children.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Solomon's understanding of God's "dwelling place" in heaven challenge our own perceptions of God's omnipresence and accessibility in our daily lives?**
* **In what specific ways does this verse encourage us to persevere in prayer, even when circumstances seem dire or we feel distant from God?**
* **How can we apply the concept of God "maintaining our cause" to situations of injustice or hardship in our lives today, trusting in His divine advocacy and righteous intervention?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse mean God only hears prayers from Jerusalem or the Temple?**

Answer: No, quite the opposite. While the Temple was indeed a divinely appointed focal point of worship and a place where God's presence manifested on earth, Solomon explicitly states that God's ultimate "dwelling place" is "in heaven." This crucial distinction emphasizes God's transcendence and omnipresence. Solomon's prayer *anticipates* scenarios where the people are in exile, far from Jerusalem and the Temple ([1 Kings 8:46-48](/1_kings/8-46-48 "1 Kings 8:46-48 - Israel Sins and is Carried Captive")), yet he prays that God would hear their prayers *from heaven*. This teaches us that God is not confined to any physical location or human-made structure and can hear prayers from anywhere on earth. Later biblical texts, like [Psalm 139:7-10](/psalms/139-7-10 "Psalm 139:7-10 - Where Can I Go from Your Spirit?"), further affirm God's boundless omnipresence.

**What does "maintain their cause" imply for us today?**

Answer: "Maintain their cause" (Hebrew: _ʻâsâh mishpâṭam_) implies God's active, judicial intervention on behalf of His people. It is a fervent plea for God to act as a righteous judge, to bring about justice, vindication, and restoration. For believers today, this means trusting God to uphold what is right, to defend us against injustice, and to ultimately bring about a just resolution to our struggles, whether they are external oppressions, spiritual battles, or the consequences of our own failings (upon genuine repentance). It is a powerful reminder that we can appeal to God for divine advocacy, knowing that He is a God of justice who cares deeply for His children and will act on their behalf according to His perfect will and timing. This concept finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who is our divine advocate and righteous judge.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Solomon's profound prayer in [1 Kings 8:49](/1_kings/8-49 "1 Kings 8:49 - Solomon's Prayer for Exiles"), with its deep longing for a transcendent God who hears and acts justly, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Solomon rightly understood that God's true "dwelling place" was in heaven, the New Testament reveals that in Christ, God Himself "dwelt among us" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh and Dwelt Among Us")). Jesus declared Himself to be the true Temple, the ultimate meeting place between God and humanity ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Speaks of the Temple of His Body")). No longer do God's people need to pray towards a physical structure; through Christ's perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection, we have direct, confident access to the Father's heavenly throne of grace ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence")). The plea for God to "maintain their cause" is profoundly answered in Jesus, who serves as our great High Priest, ever living to make intercession for us ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Jesus Lives to Make Intercession for Us")). He is our advocate with the Father, the Righteous One who takes away our sin and stands in our defense ([1 John 2:1](/1_john/2-1 "1 John 2:1 - Jesus Christ the Righteous, Our Advocate")). Through Christ, our prayers are not just heard from heaven; they are presented by the one who sits at the right hand of God, interceding on our behalf ([Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ Jesus Who Is at the Right Hand of God and Intercedes for Us")), ensuring that our cause is not merely maintained but eternally secured by His perfect righteousness and unending grace.

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

1 Kings 8:45

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

2 Kings 19:19

Now therefore, O LORD our God, I beseech thee, save thou us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou [art] the LORD God, [even] thou only.

Zechariah 1:15

And I am very sore displeased with the heathen [that are] at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction.

Zechariah 1:16

Therefore thus saith the LORD; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.