1 Kings 8:45

8:45 then listen from heaven to their prayers for help 1  and vindicate them. 2 

1 Kings 8:2

8:2 All the men of Israel assembled before King Solomon during the festival 3  in the month Ethanim 4  (the seventh month).

1 Kings 19:19

19:19 Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve pairs of oxen; he was near the twelfth pair. Elijah passed by him and threw his robe over him.

Zechariah 1:15-16

1:15 But I am greatly displeased with the nations that take my grace for granted. 5  I was a little displeased with them, but they have only made things worse for themselves.

The Oracle of Response

1:16 “‘Therefore,’ says the Lord, ‘I have become compassionate 6  toward Jerusalem 7  and will rebuild my temple 8  in it,’ says the Lord who rules over all. ‘Once more a surveyor’s measuring line will be stretched out over Jerusalem.’

1 tn Heb “their prayer and their request for help.”

2 tn Heb “and accomplish their justice.”

3 sn The festival. This was the Feast of Tabernacles, see Lev 23:34.

4 sn The month Ethanim. This would be September-October in modern reckoning.

5 tn Or “the nations that are at ease” (so ASV, NRSV). The Hebrew word in question is שַׁאֲנָן (sha’anan) which has the idea of a careless, even arrogant attitude (see BDB 983 s.v. שַׁאֲנָן); cf. NAB “the complacent nations.” Here it suggests that the nations take for granted that God will never punish them just because he hasn't already done so. Thus they presume on the grace and patience of the Lord. The translation attempts to bring out this nuance rather than the more neutral renderings of TEV “nations that enjoy quiet and peace” or NLT “enjoy peace and security.”

6 tn Heb “I have turned.” This suggests that the Lord has responded to the “turning” (i.e., repentance) of the people (v. 6) and now, with great love and forgiveness, allows construction of the temple to proceed.

7 map For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4.

8 tn Heb “house.”