Definition: And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: and hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place: and when thou hearest, forgive.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Kings 8:30. It’s a really interesting and slightly mysterious passage that speaks to God’s relationship with His people and the importance of listening to them. Here's a simple explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse is essentially saying, “God wants us to listen to what we’re praying for, and he will answer our prayers.” It’s about a connection between God and his people. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant…” – This means "Listen to our request" or “Pay attention to what we're asking." It’s like saying, “We want to ask you something.” “…of thy people Israel…” - This refers to the Israelites in ancient Israel. “when they shall pray toward this place:” – This is a bit tricky. It means that when they pray specifically towards a certain location (likely Jerusalem or a significant religious site), God will listen. “…and hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place:” - This is the really important part! “Dwelling place” refers to Heaven. God is saying, “I am watching and listening from my heavenly home.” “and when thou hearest, forgive:” – This means "When you listen to us, be patient and forgive us." It’s a promise that God will not simply ignore our prayers; He will show mercy and forgiveness. What it's saying is: God wants us to be attentive to our prayers and to pray with sincerity. He expects us to be respectful and to trust in his guidance, and he promises to look after us if we do so. It’s a strong statement of God’s care and desire for a good relationship with his people. Context & Significance: This verse appears in the Old Testament and is often interpreted as a reminder of God's unconditional love and forgiveness. It’s a key part of the story of how God established the covenant (a binding agreement) between Him and the Israelites, emphasizing that He is always watching over them. In short: It's a plea for attentive listening and forgiveness from God! --- Would you like me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the historical context of this passage?