12. Then in the presence of the people Solomon went and stood in front of the altar and raised his arms in prayer.
13. (Solomon had made a bronze platform and put it in the middle of the courtyard. It was 2.2 metres square and 1.3 metres high. He mounted this platform, knelt down where everyone could see him, and raised his hands towards heaven.)
14. He prayed, “Lord God of Israel, in all heaven and earth there is no god like you. You keep your covenant with your people and show them your love when they live in wholehearted obedience to you.
15. You have kept the promise you made to my father David; today every word has been fulfilled.
16. Now, Lord God of Israel, keep the other promise you made to my father when you told him that there would always be one of his descendants ruling as king of Israel, provided that they carefully obeyed your Law just as he did.
17. So now, Lord God of Israel, let everything come true that you promised to your servant David.