Turning back to Leviticus 9, when the priesthood w a s established, we find a scene that in a way parallels what is presented here; the glory of God had then appeared to all the people, and fire from God had consumed the offerings upon the brazen altar. But the priesthood had failed, the people had lost everything of title, by sin; and kingly power had set aside that system that had broken down. All now rested upon the "sure mercies of David", as we have seen fully set out in Solomon's prayer. In the millennium, all will rest upon the Messiah-King, the Lord Jesus, when He takes His power and reigns, for He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet (1 Cor. 15:25), and there will be no failure in Him.
Solomon's reign of glory was soon over, and brightest at its beginning. Dazzled by earthly power and glory he fell into sin. We may notice the burnt offering singled out for express mention in verse 1 of our chapter; it is because the burnt offering illustrates, typifies, the entire devotion of Christ, His obedience even to death, and that the death of the cross. It is that character of His life and death here which gave the fullest delight to His Father, and was a profound motive for His love (John 10:17).
In the presence of God's displayed glory (see however 2 Corinthians 3 which points to a surpassing glory, that of His grace), the children of Israel bowed with their faces to the ground, and worshiped and thanked Him Whose loving kindness endureth forever. Solomon offered in sacrifice 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep in the dedication of the temple, using the middle of the court, before the building, because the brazen altar, large though it was (chapter 4:1), was not able to receive the burnt offerings and oblations and fat to be burned thereon.
The feast of verses 8 and 9 is the feast of tabernacles, ordained of God for Israel in Leviticus 23:34, and in its order given again in Numbers 29:12, and Deuteronomy 16:13-15. It was not kept with booths of branches of trees, however, from Joshua's day until Nehemiah's (see Nehemiah 8:14-17).
The temple completed, and the king's house, God appeared to Solomon to tell him the conditions under which he was placed, and the people with him that the blessings now possessed might be continued; and if lost by reason of unfaithfulness, how they might be repossessed. If the house of Israel should turn away from God, the nation should be uprooted from the land of their inheritance, and the magnificent temple should become an astonishment to the passer by. Such was to occur in substantially four hundred years, because of Israel's provoking God to anger by idolatry.
God requires faithfulness; should not His children by faith in the risen and exalted Saviour today seek to profit by Israel's failure, and in deep confession, with heartfelt desire endeavor to walk in practical separation from a guilty world, whose judgment, as well as that of Christendom, is not far away?