The Lord appeared to Solomon as he had earlier at Gibeon (1 Kings 3:4-5), but this time it is likely that Solomon was in Jerusalem, most likely on Mount Moriah either near the temple or in Solomon’s palace.

The Lord assured Solomon of two basic things:

1. the Lord had heard Solomon’s prayer and his plea recorded in 1 Kings 8:23-53 which included thanksgiving to the Lord for keeping his promises to Israel and to David, and pleas for mercy and forgiveness of future sins.
2. Solomon’s temple had been consecrated which means it had been set aside as holy. The temple was accepted by the Lord and dedicated for use for the Lord.  Also, the Lord’s Name, his eyes and his heart “will always be there” in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah in the temple. This location would be the place of the Lord’s presence and the centralized location of his worship.

After confirming to Solomon that he had heard the prayers and accepted the temple, the Lord reminds Solomon of the king’s and the people’s responsibility to live before the Lord by living with “integrity of heart and uprightness.” (1 Kings 9:4) If the king and the people did they would be allowed to live in God’s presence and be blessed, but if they did not they would be destroyed and driven from this place where he had put his name.

“The Biblical model of rights cannot be separated from
the Biblical teaching
about justice.”
– Gary Amos

Jesus was a passionate man who lived a life that demonstrated his passion.

- Jesus wept at Lazarus’ tomb (John 11:35)
- Jesus wept on the Mount of Olives as he reflected on Jerusalem’s fate
(Luke 19:41-44)
- Jesus overturned the tables of the money changers
on the Temple Mount (Matthew 21:12-13)
- Jesus had compassion for the burdened and confused crowds that were searching for answers (Mt.9:36)
- Jesus was moved by pity to heal (Mark 1:41)