1 Then Solomon said, “The Lord said he would live in a dark cloud.
2 But I have built you a high temple, a home for you to live in permanently.”
3 Then the king turned around and blessed the whole assembly from Israel while they were standing.
4 “Thanks be to the Lord God of Israel. With his mouth he made a promise to my father David; with his hand he carried it out. He said,
5 ‘Ever since I brought my people Israel out of Egypt, I didn’t choose any city from the tribes of Israel as a place to build a temple for my name. And I didn’t choose any man to be prince over my people Israel.
6 But now I’ve chosen Jerusalem to be a place for my name; I’ve chosen David to rule my people Israel.’
7 “My father David had his heart set on building a temple for the name of the Lord God of Israel.
8 However, the Lord said to my father David, ‘Since you had your heart set on building a temple for my name, your intentions were good.
9 But you must not build the temple. Instead, your own son will build the temple for my name.’
10 The Lord has kept the promise he made. I’ve taken my father David’s place, and I sit on the throne of Israel as the Lord promised. I’ve built the temple for the name of the Lord God of Israel.
11 I’ve put the ark which contains the Lord’s promise to Israel there.”
12 In the presence of the entire assembly of Israel, Solomon stood in front of the Lord’s altar. He stretched out his hands ⌞to pray⌟.
13 (Solomon had made a bronze platform 7½ feet long, 7½ feet wide, and 4½ feet high. He put it in the middle of the courtyard. He stood on the platform, knelt in front of the entire assembly, and stretched out his hands toward heaven.)
14 He said,
15 You have kept your promise to my father David, your servant.
16 “Now, Lord God of Israel,
17 “So now, Lord God of Israel,
18 “Does God really live on earth with people?
19 Nevertheless, my Lord God, please pay attention to my prayer for mercy.
20 Day and night may your eyes be on this temple,
21 Hear the plea for mercy
22 “If anyone sins against another person
23 then hear ⌞that person⌟ in heaven, take action, and make a decision.
24 “An enemy may defeat your people Israel
25 then hear ⌞them⌟ in heaven, forgive the sins of your people Israel,
26 “When the sky is shut and there’s no rain
27 then hear ⌞them⌟ in heaven.
28 “There may be famine in the land.
29 ⌞hear⌟ every prayer for mercy
30 Hear ⌞them⌟ in heaven, where you live.
31 Then, as long as they live in the land that you gave to our ancestors,
32 “People who are not Israelites
33 then hear ⌞them⌟ in heaven, the place where you live.
34 “When your people go to war against their enemies
35 then hear their prayer for mercy in heaven,
36 “They may sin against you.
37 If they come to their senses,
38 if they change their attitude toward you
39 then in heaven, the place where you live, hear their prayer for mercy.
40 “Finally, my God, may your eyes be open and your ears attentive
41 “Now arise, and come to your resting place, Lord God—
42 Lord God, do not reject your anointed one.