1 Kings: Walk Before Me FaithfullyНамуна

In this part of the dedication prayer, Solomon envisages seven scenarios of prayer, and asks God to answer each one. 

The first four imply issues of sin, repentance and forgiveness. Various scenarios are mentioned including administering justice, defeat in battle, drought, famine, plague and siege – many of these are covenant curses (see for example Deuteronomy 28:15–44). What is notable in Solomon’s prayer is the expectation of God’s mercy to his people and that sin and curse are not the final word. 

Many have a view that God would never punish or send a trial. But these scenarios, understood in the light of the covenant curses, tell us that beyond such trials is a great good that God wants for us – to provoke us out of sin and idolatry so that we find mercy and blessing in him alone. 

The fifth scenario (vv. 41–43) is striking, for it envisages a foreigner praying ‘towards this temple’. Ethnicity is no barrier to God, so Solomon urges God to answer whatever such a person prays. God wants to bless the nations through his people – Abraham’s descendants.

In verses 44–45, Solomon asks that when Israel’s army prays before battle, God would ‘uphold their cause’. There is no mention of sin here. 

The seventh and final scenario envisages sinful Israel exiled in a far-off land (the climax of the covenant curses). Yet if they repent, even from that distance, Solomon asks God to answer their prayer and forgive them. They do not even have to get into the land itself in order to pray towards the temple. Here is a merciful God who hears and answers prayer, even for sinners and foreigners. 

Many cultures have a weak sense of guilt these days. So sin is not treated seriously and people are reluctant to accept blame for their wrongdoing. These prayer scenarios remind us that we can accept our guilt but still find mercy from a faithful God. In cultures that promote pride and self-sufficiency as virtues, we are urged to depend humbly on God’s grace. These prayer scenarios challenge Christians to be counter-cultural in turning to God in repentance, seeking his mercy.

Reflection

Is praying for forgiveness and mercy part of your regular prayers?