8:48-51
When they do wholeheartedly turn back to the Lord, Solomon calls on God to hear their cries for mercy. This is based on the original promises given to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Solomon asks God to forgive all their sins, and also for their captors to show them mercy. This happened in the Babylonian captivity. Cyrus sent them back to Israel, and Artaxerxes showed mercy by allowing Nehemiah to go to Jerusalem to organise the rebuilding work. Solomon reminds God of how He brought the Israelites out of Egypt. God has a long term commitment to Israel. We need to realise that God has a long term commitment to us, His favour is not based on a whim.
8:52,53
God being open to the cry of His people is considered essential by Solomon. Indeed, a repeated characteristic of people being in right relationship with the Lord is that they cry out to Him and that He hears them. The basis for Solomon expecting this is that God “singled them out”. God chose and formed Israel. We too have been chosen by Christ (John 15:16). We should expect God to hear our prayers.
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