Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven,
Solomon himself prayed, not delegating to priest or prophet, and he prayed before the whole assembly with no written form but words fitted to the moment. That a king of such learning and achievement gave himself to prayer, and excelled in it, shows he had turned his vast gifts to God and did not count it beneath him to be the mouth of his people before the throne.
AI summary
Commenting on 1 Kings 8:22-53
And Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord,.... The altar of the burnt offering in the court of the priests, where he prayed the following prayer; and which altar was typical of Christ, who is always to be in sight in prayer, and through whom all sacrifices of prayer and praise become acceptable to God.
Solomon knelt on the brazen scaffold facing the altar, hands raised, performing this act of consecration himself as king, not as priest, which was remarkable and solemn. His prayer breathes the highest piety mixed with deepest humility, earnestly beseeching God's deliverance on the condition that people pray toward this holy place.
AI summary
Commenting on 1 Kings 8:22-61