1 Kings 8:2

“And all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto King Solomon at the feast, etc.] Not of tabernacles, as the Targum on (<140503>2 Chronicles 5:3) and so Jarchi; though that was in the same month next mentioned, and began on the fifteenth of it, and held seven days; wherefore this must be the feast of the dedication of the temple, and which was kept before that; since both lasted fourteen days, and the people were dismissed on the twenty third of the month; now not only the above principal persons convened, but a vast number of the common people came to see the solemnity of removing the ark, and of dedicating the temple, and to attend the feast of it, and the more, since in a few days was…”

“The feast in the month Ethanim - i. e. the Feast of Tabernacles, or the Feast of Ingathering, the commemoration of the dwelling in booths at the time of the Exodus (margin reference), and the festival of thanksgiving on account of the completion of harvest Exodus 23:16; Leviticus 23:39; Deuteronomy 16:13. It was one of the three on which the people were required to “appear before the Lord.” return to 'Top of Page'”

“All Israel - Not only the chief men, but a vast number of the common people. The feast - The feast of the dedication, to which Solomon had invited them. Seventh month - Which time he chose with respect to his peoples convenience, because now they had gathered in all their fruits, and were come up to Jerusalem, to celebrate the feast of tabernacles. But the temple was not finished till the eighth month, Kg1 6:38, how then could he invite them in the seventh month? This was the seventh month of the next year. For although the house in all its parts was finished the year before, yet the utensils of it were not then fully finished: and many preparations were to be made for this great and…”

“8:2 Although the Temple was completed in the eighth month (6:38), Solomon apparently delayed the dedication until the following year so it could take place at the annual Festival of Shelters, which is held in early autumn in the month of Ethanim. This schedule allowed time to prepare for the spectacular celebration and gave the occasion double significance. As prescribed in the law, Solomon and the people expressed their gratitude to God for the completed harvest season. They also celebrated the fulfillment of Moses’ song of deliverance, which promised that God would one day settle his people in the Promised Land and make his dwelling there (Exod 15:17; Deut 12:10-14). Solomon’s dedicatory…”

“at the feast: Lev 23:34; Num. 29:12-40; Deu 16:13; Ch2 5:3, Ch2 7:8-10; Ezr 3:4; Neh 8:14-18; Zac 14:16-19; Joh 7:2, Joh 7:37 3 Kings (1 Kings) 8:3”