If any man trespass, i.e. if he be accused of a trespass. An oath be laid upon him; either by the judge, or by the party accusing him, or by the accused person himself; which was usual, when there were no witnesses. See Exodus 22:8,11 Num 5:12,15, &c. And the oath come before thine altar in this house; for here God, who was appealed to as witness, was especially present. Hence the heathens used to swear at their altars.
Related Commentaries of 1 Kings 8:31
1 Kings 8:31
31 If any man trespass against his neighbour, and an oathg be laid upon him to cause him to swear, and the oath come before thine altar in this house: