““When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you, and when they pray toward this place and give praise to your name and turn from their sin because you have afflicted them, then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel. Teach them the right way to live, and send rain on the land you gave your people for an inheritance.” – 1 Kings 8:35-36 NIV

A good chunk of 1 Kings 8 is Solomon’s dedication prayer for the temple after God had filled it with his presence. A lot of it consists of requesting God’s grace and mercy on the Israelites when they do wrong. Solomon is asking that when the Israelites make poor choices that God will be there to forgive them, show them grace and mercy, and allow them to return to him when they repent of their sin. He is also asking for them to be taught a lesson in the process. We as Christians need to demonstrate the same love, forgiveness, and mercy that Solomon asks from God.