1. Then Solomon said: The Lord said He would dwell in thick darkness,
2. but I have built an exalted temple for You,a place for Your residence forever.
3. Then the king turned and blessed the entire congregation of Israel while they were standing.
4. He said:May the Lord God of Israel be praised!He spoke directly to my father David,and He has fulfilled the promiseby His power.He said,
5. “Since the day I brought My people Israelout of the land of Egypt, I have not chosen a city to build a temple inamong any of the tribes of Israel,so that My name would be there,and I have not chosen a manto be ruler over My people Israel.
6. But I have chosen Jerusalemso that My name will be there, and I have chosen Davidto be over My people Israel.”
7. Now it was in the heart of my father Davidto build a temple for the name of Yahweh, the God of Israel.
8. However, Yahweh said to my father David,“Since it was your desire to build a temple for My name,you have done well to have this desire.
9. Yet, you are not the one to build the temple,but your son, your own offspring,will build the temple for My name.”
10. So Yahweh has fulfilled what He promised.I have taken the place of my father Davidand I sit on the throne of Israel, as Yahweh promised.I have built the temple for the name of Yahweh, the God of Israel.
11. I have put the ark there,where Yahweh’s covenant isthat He made with the Israelites.
12. Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in front of the entire congregation of Israel and spread out his hands.
13. For Solomon had made a bronze platform 7 1/2 feet long, 7 1/2 feet wide, and 4 1/2 feet high and put it in the court. He stood on it, knelt down in front of the entire congregation of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven.
14. He said:Lord God of Israel,there is no God like Youin heaven or on earth, keeping His gracious covenantwith Your servants who walk before Youwith their whole heart.
15. You have kept what You promisedto Your servant, my father David.You spoke directly to him,and You fulfilled Your promise by Your power,as it is today.