And at that time Solomon held a feast, and all Israel with him, a great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt, before the LORD our God, seven days and seven days, even fourteen days.
From the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt - i:e., from one extremity of the kingdom to the other, the people flocked from all quarters.
Seven days and seven days, even fourteen days. The first seven were occupied with the dedication, and the other seven devoted to the feast of tabernacles (2 Chronicles 7:9). The particular form of expression indicates that the 14 days were not continuous, and that some interval occurred in consequence of the great day of atonement falling on the 10th day of the seventh month (1 Kings 8:2: cf. Leviticus 23:27), and the last day of the feast of tabernacles was on the 23rd day (2 Chronicles 7:10), when the people returned to their homes (literally, within tents), with feelings of the greatest joy and gratitude "for all the goodness that the Lord had done for David His servant, and for Israel His people." (See further as to the temple and the dedication of it, 2 Chronicles 3:1-17; 2 Chronicles 4:1-22; 2 Chronicles 5:1-14; 2 Chronicles 6:1-42; 2 Chronicles 7:1-22; 2 Chronicles 8:1-18.)