2 Chronicles 6:1-17

1Then Solomon said, “The LORD has said that he would dwell in a dark cloud;

2I have built a magnificent temple for you, a place for you to dwell forever.” 3While the whole assembly of Israel was standing there, the king turned around and blessed them.

4Then he said: “Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, who with his hands has fulfilled what he promised with his mouth to my father David. For he said, 5‘Since the day I brought my people out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city in any tribe of Israel to have a temple built so that my Name might be there, nor have I chosen anyone to be ruler over my people Israel.

6But now I have chosen Jerusalem for my Name to be there, and I have chosen David to rule my people Israel.’ 7“My father David had it in his heart to build a temple for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel. 8But the LORD said to my father David, ‘You did well to have it in your heart to build a temple for my Name.

9Nevertheless, you are not the one to build the temple, but your son, your own flesh and blood—he is the one who will build the temple for my Name.’ 10“The LORD has kept the promise he made. I have succeeded David my father and now I sit on the throne of Israel, just as the LORD promised, and I have built the temple for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel.

11There I have placed the ark, in which is the covenant of the LORD that he made with the people of Israel.”

Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication 12Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel and spread out his hands. 13Now he had made a bronze platform, five cubits long, five cubits wide and three cubits high, That is, about 7 1/2 feet long and wide and 4 1/2 feet high or about 2.3 meters long and wide and 1.4 meters high and had placed it in the center of the outer court. He stood on the platform and then knelt down before the whole assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven.

14He said: “ LORD, the God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven or on earth—you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way.

15You have kept your promise to your servant David my father; with your mouth you have promised and with your hand you have fulfilled it—as it is today. 16“Now, LORD, the God of Israel, keep for your servant David my father the promises you made to him when you said, ‘You shall never fail to have a successor to sit before me on the throne of Israel, if only your descendants are careful in all they do to walk before me according to my law, as you have done.’

17And now, LORD, the God of Israel, let your word that you promised your servant David come true.