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1 Kings 8:28

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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:

Yet have thou respect {H6437} unto the prayer {H8605} of thy servant {H5650}, and to his supplication {H8467}, O LORD {H3068} my God {H430}, to hearken {H8085} unto the cry {H7440} and to the prayer {H8605}, which thy servant {H5650} prayeth {H6419} before {H6440} thee to day {H3117}:

Even so, ADONAI my God, pay attention to your servant's prayer and plea, listen to the cry and prayer that your servant is praying before you today,

Yet regard the prayer and plea of Your servant, O LORD my God, so that You may hear the cry and the prayer that Your servant is praying before You today.

Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O Jehovah my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee this day;

Commentary

1 Kings 8:28 KJV is a pivotal verse within King Solomon’s lengthy dedication prayer for the newly completed Temple in Jerusalem. This prayer, offered before the assembly of Israel, is a profound appeal to God to hear and respond to the petitions of His people, not just in that moment but for generations to come.

Context of 1 Kings 8:28

This verse is part of a grand historical and spiritual event: the dedication of the First Temple in Jerusalem. After years of preparation and construction, Solomon gathers all Israel to consecrate this magnificent structure as the central place of worship for the nation. His prayer in 1 Kings chapter 8 is a theological masterpiece, acknowledging God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, particularly those made to David, and seeking His continued presence and attentiveness to His people's prayers. The Temple, while a physical dwelling, was meant to symbolize God's spiritual presence among His people, serving as a focal point for their collective and individual supplications.

Key Themes and Messages

  • God's Responsiveness to Prayer: The core plea of this verse is for God to "hearken unto the cry and to the prayer." Solomon's earnest request underscores the biblical truth that God is not distant but is attentive to the sincere prayers of His servants. It highlights the divine attribute of listening and engaging with humanity.
  • Humility in Supplication: Solomon repeatedly refers to himself as "thy servant," a humble posture before the Almighty. The use of terms like "supplication" and "cry" emphasizes the earnest, even desperate, nature of the appeal, reflecting a deep dependence on God's mercy and intervention.
  • The Purpose of the Temple: While God is omnipresent, the Temple was consecrated as a designated place where Israel could turn their faces towards Him in prayer, believing that He would particularly incline His ear from His dwelling in heaven. This concept is central to the entire dedication prayer.
  • Covenant Faithfulness: Underlying Solomon's prayer is the understanding of God's enduring covenant with Israel. Solomon appeals to God's character and His past faithfulness, trusting that He will continue to uphold His promises and respond to His people's needs.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "hearken" (שָׁמַע - shama') means "to hear, listen, obey." It implies not just passively hearing sound, but actively paying attention and, often, acting in response. When Solomon asks God to "have respect unto the prayer" and "hearken unto the cry," he is asking for God to not merely perceive the words but to consider them, give them weight, and respond effectively. The repetition of "prayer," "supplication," and "cry" emphasizes the depth and sincerity of the petitions being offered.

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 Kings 8:28 offers profound encouragement regarding the power and efficacy of prayer. While we no longer approach God through a physical temple, the principle remains: God hears the prayers of His people. Through Christ, we have direct access to the Father, as highlighted in the New Testament (e.g., Hebrews 4:16). Solomon's humble posture reminds us to approach God with reverence and sincerity, trusting that He is willing to "hearken" to our "cry" and "supplication." This verse reinforces the truth that God is responsive to those who seek Him diligently, just as He promised to hear from heaven when His people humbled themselves (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 88:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ A Song [or] Psalm for the sons of Korah, to the chief Musician upon Mahalath Leannoth, Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite. O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day [and] night before thee:

  • Psalms 88:2 (2 votes)

    Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry;

  • Daniel 9:17 (2 votes)

    Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake.

  • Daniel 9:19 (2 votes)

    O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.

  • 2 Chronicles 6:19 (2 votes)

    Have respect therefore to the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and the prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee:

  • Psalms 4:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm of David. Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me [when I was] in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.

  • Luke 18:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ And he spake a parable unto them [to this end], that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;