7. The wings of these creatures were spread out over the place for the Ark, covering it and its carrying poles.
8. The carrying poles were so long that anyone standing in the Holy Place in front of the Most Holy Place could see the ends of the poles, but no one could see them from outside the Holy Place. The poles are still there today.
9. The only things inside the Ark were two stone tablets that Moses had put in the Ark at Mount Sinai. That was where the Lord made his agreement with the Israelites after they came out of Egypt.
10. When the priests left the Holy Place, a cloud filled the Temple of the Lord.
11. The priests could not continue their work, because the Temple was filled with the glory of the Lord.
12. Then Solomon said, “The Lord said he would live in a dark cloud.
13. Lord, I have truly built a wonderful Temple for you—a place for you to live forever.”
14. While all the Israelites were standing there, King Solomon turned to them and blessed them.
15. Then he said, “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel. He has done what he promised to my father David. The Lord said,
16. ‘Since the time I brought my people Israel out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city in any tribe of Israel where a temple will be built for me. But I have chosen David to lead my people Israel.’
17. “My father David wanted to build a temple for the Lord, the God of Israel.
18. But the Lord said to my father David, ‘It was good that you wanted to build a temple for me.
19. But you are not the one to build it. Your son, who comes from your own body, is the one who will build my temple.’