Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Kings 8:31

31 ¶ If any man trespass against his neighbour, and an oath be laid upon him , to cause him to swear, and the oath come before thine altar in this house :

i. e. If he be Accused of a Trespass.

Either by the Judge, or by the Party Accusing him, or by the Accused Person himself: which was usual, when there were no Witnesses. See Exod. 22. 8, 11. Numb. 5. 12, 15, &c.

For here God, who was appealed to as Witness, was especially present. Hence the Heathens used to Swear at their Altars.

Marginal references: Heb. Whatsoever a man trespass. So Gr.; Heb. and he require an oath of him, o[illegible: 1+ letters], tender an oath to him.