1 Kings 8:39 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Give to every man according to his ways— God is represented, in the sacred writings, both as the tutelary deity and the supreme magistrate of the Jews; in consequence of which, He governed them by an equal, or rather an extraordinary Providence. This extraordinary Providence is represented as administered, 1 over the state in general; 2 over private men in particular: and such a representation we should expect to find from the nature of the republic; because, as an extraordinary Providence over the state necessarily follows God's being their tutelary deity, so an extraordinary Providence to particulars follows as necessarily from his being their supreme magistrate. As to this Providence over the state, it would be absurd to quote particular texts, when the whole Bible is one continued history of it. In his dedication of the first temple, Solomon addresses his prayer to God, that the covenant between him and the people might remain firm and inviolate, and the old economy be still continued: and, after having enumerated divers parts of it, he proceeds in the manner described, 1 Kings 8:35-39. Solomon in this petition, which, with respect to the given covenant we might properly call a petition of rights, speaks the language of one who extended the temporal sanctions of the law to particulars and individuals; for he desires God, according to the terms of the covenant, to render to every man according to his ways. But when is it that he prays for the exertion of this extraordinary Providence to particulars?—At the very time when it is administering to the state in general: If there be in the land famine, &c. 1 Kings 8:37. The necessary consequence is, that as sure as Solomon believed an extra-ordinary Providence exercised to the state in general, so surely did he believe it exercised to individuals in particular. Divine Legation, vol. 4: p. 117, &c.