The feast of tabernacles
There is also another element in the scene we are considering, and that is the public and joyful assembly of the whole people, the feast of tabernacles, the great congregation (Psa. 22:2525My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him. (Psalm 22:25)), and also the dedication of the altar.
These are the two things which mark Israel’s participation in the blessing, namely, the altar, and the feast of tabernacles; worship subsequent to their fall and ruin, founded on the acceptance of the sacrifice, and the realized effect of the promises, the people being no longer in distress.1
(1. It does not appear, however, that they made booths with the branches of trees. Since Joshua, this had not been done until the days of Nehemiah. At the time which we are considering, joy and prosperity had made them a little neglectful of the Word.)
David’s praise in the temple
We find again here the musical instruments of Jehovah, which David had made to praise Jehovah, “because his mercy endureth forever”; when David himself “praised by their ministry” (ch. 7:6); blessed thought! for who is this David? (Compare Psalm 22:2222I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee. (Psalm 22:22).) The people saw themselves blessed and happy in all the goodness of Jehovah.
The conditions of enjoyment of blessing
After this the Lord sets before Solomon the conditions under which He places him, as well as the people, for the enjoyment, or for the recovery of these blessings. He had chosen this house of prayer. If there was chastening and the people humbled themselves, there was respite: the eyes and the heart of Jehovah should be there perpetually.
Then, with respect to Solomon and the seed of David generally, on their faithfulness the blessing of the whole people was to depend. If the house of David should turn away from God, Israel should be rooted out of the land; and the house, which had been sanctified by the worship of Jehovah, should become a byword among all nations, and a witness to the just judgment of God.