He stood before Yahweh’s altar in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands
Parallel translations
- KJV And he stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands:
- BSB Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel and spread out his hands.
- NKJV Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands
- NASB Then he stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands.
- NLT Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in front of the entire community of Israel, and he lifted his hands in prayer.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Solomon stood before the altar in front of all Israel and spread out his hands. He took the posture of public prayer on behalf of the nation.
Overview
Before the whole assembly, Solomon stretched out his hands in prayer, acting as intercessor for his people. His public, bodily expression of dependence on God modeled humble petition. This royal intercession anticipates Christ, the King who ever lives to intercede for his people before the Father.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- Ps 63:4So I will bless you while I live. I will lift up my hands in your name.
- Exod 9:33Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands to Yahweh; and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured on the earth.
- Isa 50:10Who among you fears Yahweh, and obeys the voice of his servant? He who walks in darkness, and has no light, let him trust in Yahweh’s name, and rely on his God.
- Job 11:13“If you set your heart aright, stretch out your hands toward him.
- Ps 143:6I spread out my hands to you. My soul thirsts for you, like a parched land. Selah.
- Ps 68:31Princes shall come out of Egypt. Ethiopia shall hurry to stretch out her hands to God.
- Ps 29:1–2A Psalm by David. Ascribe to Yahweh, you sons of the mighty, ascribe to Yahweh glory and strength.
- 1 Kgs 8:22–53Solomon stood before Yahweh’s altar in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven;
- 2 Kgs 11:14and she looked, and behold, the king stood by the pillar, as the tradition was, with the captains and the trumpets by the king; and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew trumpets. Then Athaliah tore her clothes, and cried, “Treason! Treason!”
- 2 Kgs 23:3The king stood by the pillar, and made a covenant before Yahweh, to walk after Yahweh, and to keep his commandments, his testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and all his soul, to confirm the words of this covenant that were written in this book; and all the people agreed to the covenant.
- 1 Tim 2:8I desire therefore that the men in every place pray, lifting up holy hands without anger and doubting.
- Ps 141:2Let my prayer be set before you like incense; the lifting up of my hands like the evening sacrifice.
- Ps 28:2Hear the voice of my petitions, when I cry to you, when I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.
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Christ at the center
Temple, priesthood, and the repeated need for a faithful king who seeks the LORD all point past every imperfect reign to the King and Temple who finally and fully dwell with God's people.
How 2 Chronicles 6:12 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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