Solomon blessed the whole congregation of Israel, owning that all the favor in which he and his people stood, was from God. Jerusalem was the city of His choice, and David the king He had chosen. Not David however, but David's son should build the house for God's habitation, and had done so; God had performed His word to David.
Solomon kneeled down before the congregation and addressed God, not on the ground of the law or covenant only, but of mercy (verses 14 and 42). The heaven of heavens could not contain Him; will He indeed dwell with man on the earth ? (See Revelation 21:33And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. (Revelation 21:3)).
Solomon asked for dealing in righteousness as between the righteous and the wicked (verse 23), but if Israel were to be defeated in war because of sin, and should turn again and confess and pray to God in the temple, he asked that they be forgiven and returned to their land. If they were afflicted with the stoppage of rain because of their sins, and repented, confessing His name, he asked that the rain be restored; likewise as to all other troubles which God should permit because of their sinful ways, if they prayed to Him, that the affliction should be removed. The stranger, too, was not forgotten; if he came out of a far country for God's great name's sake, and prayed toward the temple.
Solomon's thoughts lastly were carried on to that day when Israel was to be taken away captive to a land far off, and he prayed that if they should then seek God, He would forgive them.
There was no public response to Solomon's entreaty. By night God spoke to him (chapter 7), setting the continuation of His blessing upon obedience, and we know that failure and ruin soon followed.
Whatever God has entrusted to man, he has always failed in; the one Man (1 Cori.15:21-22) who gave Him unceasing delight as He traversed this world, His blessed Son, Jesus, is the One who has wrought deliverance for the captives, in Whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (Col. 1:1414In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: (Colossians 1:14)). But how few know it; believe the good news; receive Him! Have you?