1. Then Solomon said, “The Lord said he would live in the dark cloud.
2. I have built a great Temple for you, Lord. It is a place for you to live forever.”
3. King Solomon turned around and blessed all the Israelites gathered in front of him.
4. He said, “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel. He has done what he promised my father David. The Lord said,
5. ‘I brought my people out of Egypt. But I have not yet chosen a city in any tribe of Israel for my temple. This is where I have chosen to be worshiped. I have not chosen a man to lead my people, the Israelites.
6. But now I have chosen Jerusalem as the place I am to be worshiped. And I have chosen David to lead my people Israel.’
7. “My father David wanted to build a temple as a place to worship the Lord, the God of Israel.
8. But the Lord said to my father, ‘David, it was good that you wanted to build a temple as a place to worship me.
9. But you are not the one who will build the temple. Your own son will build my temple.’
10. “Now the Lord has kept his promise. I have taken my father David’s place. Now I am Israel’s king. This is what the Lord promised. And I have built the Temple where the Lord, the God of Israel, will be worshiped.