1 Kings 8:65,66 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

At that time Solomon held a feast That is, kept a solemn festival. And all Israel from Hamath unto the river of Egypt The usual and known bounds of the land, in the utmost length of it, Numbers 34:8; Joshua 13:5; Judges 3:3. Before the Lord Before the temple, as in God's presence. Seven days and seven days Seven for the dedication of the temple, or altar; and the other seven for the feast of tabernacles. And it seems to be expressed in this manner, to intimate, that these fourteen days of rejoicing were not all together, but that there was some interval between them, which indeed was necessary, because the day of atonement was on the tenth day of this month, Leviticus 23:27. And because these fourteen days ended on the twenty-second day, (2 Chronicles 7:10,) it may seem most probable, that the feast of the dedication was kept before the tenth day; and the feast of tabernacles some days after it. On the eighth day he sent the people away Having joined with them in the solemn assembly, which was kept on the eighth day; in the close of that day he took his solemn farewell, and dismissed them with his blessing; and the next morning, when the heads and elders, with divers of the people, came to take their leave of the king, he sent them away. And they blessed the king They applauded, admired, and returned him the thanks of the congregation for the great care and pains he had taken in building the temple and setting up God's worship among them. Or, they prayed to God to bless him, according to their duty and custom. And went to their tents joyful and glad of heart Easy in mind and pleased; rejoicing in all the goodness that the Lord had done for David In giving him a sure house, and a wise and religious son, by whom he had now fulfilled the promise made to him about building the temple. And for Israel his people They rejoiced in God's blessings both on the royal family and on the kingdom. In this spirit should we go home from holy ordinances, and should rejoice for God's goodness to our Lord Jesus, of whom David his servant was a type, in the advancement and establishment of his throne, pursuant to the covenant of redemption; and to all believers, his spiritual Israel, in their sanctification and consolation, pursuant to the covenant of grace. If we rejoice not herein always, it is our own fault; it is owing to the weakness of our faith and hope, and the coldness of our love.