the eighth day: In the parallel passage of Chronicles this is termed "the three and twentieth day of the seventh month;" that is, the ninth day of the dedication; which Jarchi reconciles by supposing that Solomon gave them leave to return on the eighth day, and many of them did return; and that he dismissed the remainder on the ninth, or twenty-third of the seventh month. See note on 1 Kings 8:1. 2 Chronicles 7:10, 2 Chronicles 31:1
blessed: or, thanked, 1 Kings 8:1, 1 Kings 8:47
joyful: Deuteronomy 12:7, Deuteronomy 12:12, Deuteronomy 12:18, Deuteronomy 16:11; 2 Chronicles 29:36, 2 Chronicles 30:26-27; Nehemiah 8:10; Psalms 95:1-2; Psalms 100:1-2, Psalms 106:4-5, Psalms 122:6, Psalms 122:9; Isaiah 61:9-10, Isaiah 66:13-14; Jeremiah 31:12-14; Zephaniah 3:14; Zechariah 9:9, Zechariah 9:17; Acts 2:46; Galatians 5:22; Philippians 4:4