If thy people go out to war against their enemies by the way that thou shalt send them, and they pray unto thee toward this city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name;
If your people go out to fight their enemies along the path you direct them to take, and they pray to you facing this city you have chosen and the temple I have built for your name;
The writer is asking God to hear prayers from soldiers who pray toward Jerusalem and the temple while they're away fighting battles.
📚 Historical Context
This is part of King Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem around 950 BC. Solomon is asking God to hear prayers offered toward the temple from various situations, including military campaigns. In ancient times, it was common for people to pray facing toward their most sacred place, and Solomon wanted to establish Jerusalem's temple as that central point of worship for Israel.
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