מלכים א, פרק ח׳, פסוק נ״ד

The conclusion of King Solomon's prayer marks a fascinating transition from a deeply personal, submissive appeal to God into a posture of leadership before the nation. His physical movements perfectly mirror this shift in focus. Upon finishing his supplication, Solomon rises from the kneeling position he had maintained throughout the entire prayer [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. He knelt continuously from the very beginning to the end. This continuous kneeling serves as the basis for the religious law dictating that a king who kneels at the start of his prayer must not straighten his posture until he has completely finished praying [רלב״ג, צאינה וראינה].

The reason for standing at this specific moment is directly tied to his next action, which is blessing the people. While praying to God demanded absolute submission, expressed through kneeling and bowing, blessing the nation requires an entirely different stance. It would be neither respectful nor appropriate for the king to bless his subjects while in the same submissive posture uniquely reserved for the Creator, making it necessary for him to stand on his feet [אלשיך, אברבנאל].

Despite rising from his knees, Solomon keeps his hands spread outward toward the sky. This dual posture of standing upright before the people while his hands remain reaching upward reveals a deeper intention. Even as he prepares to bless the nation, he continues to plead with God, asking Him to consent and fulfill the very blessings he is about to bestow upon Israel [אלשיך].