列王纪上 8
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Simplified)
运约柜入圣殿
8 所罗门把以色列的长老、各支派的首领和族长召集到耶路撒冷，准备把耶和华的约柜从大卫城锡安运上来。
2 在以他念月，即七月住棚节的时候，以色列人都聚集到所罗门王那里。 3 以色列的长老到齐后，祭司便抬起约柜， 4 祭司和利未人将约柜、会幕和会幕里的一切圣器运上来。 5 所罗门王和聚集到他那里的以色列全体会众在约柜前献祭，献上的牛羊多得不可胜数。 6 祭司把耶和华的约柜抬进内殿，即至圣所，放在两个基路伯天使的翅膀下面。 7 基路伯天使展开翅膀，遮盖约柜和抬约柜的横杠。 8 横杠相当长，在至圣所前面的圣所中可以看见横杠的末端，在圣所外面看不见。横杠至今仍在那里。 9 约柜里除了两块石版，没有别的东西。石版是以色列人离开埃及后，耶和华在何烈山跟他们立约时，摩西放进去的。 10 祭司从圣所出来的时候，就有云彩充满了耶和华的殿， 11 以致祭司不能留在殿里供职，因为那里充满了耶和华的荣光。 12 那时，所罗门说：
“耶和华啊，
你曾说你要住在密云中，
13 现在，我为你建造了殿宇，
作你永远的居所。”
14 然后，王转身为站立在那里的以色列民众祝福， 15 说：“以色列的上帝耶和华当受称颂！祂亲口给我父大卫的应许，现在祂亲手成就了！ 16 祂曾说，‘自从我把我的以色列子民带出埃及以来，我并没有在以色列各支派中选出一座城来建造殿宇，作为我名下的居所。我只是拣选了大卫来治理我的以色列子民。’” 17 所罗门又说：“我父大卫曾想为以色列的上帝耶和华建殿， 18 但是耶和华对我父大卫说，‘你想为我建殿，这番心意是好的， 19 但你不要建，要由你的亲生儿子为我建殿。’
20 “耶和华已经实现祂的应许，祂让我继承我父大卫的王位统治以色列。现在，我为以色列的上帝耶和华的名建了殿， 21 并在殿里预备了放约柜的地方。约柜里有耶和华的约，是祂把我们的祖先带出埃及时跟他们立的。”
所罗门的祷告
22 所罗门当着以色列会众的面，站在耶和华的坛前，向天伸出双手， 23 祷告说：“以色列的上帝耶和华啊，天上地下没有神明可以与你相比！你向尽心遵行你旨意的仆人守约，施慈爱。 24 你持守向你仆人——我父大卫的应许，你曾亲口应许，你今天亲手成就了。
25 “以色列的上帝耶和华啊，你曾对你仆人——我父大卫说，‘你的子孙若像你一样谨慎行事、遵行我的旨意，你的王朝就不会中断。’求你信守这应许。 26 以色列的上帝耶和华啊，求你实现你向你仆人——我父大卫的应许。
27 “然而，上帝啊，你真的会住在人间吗？看啊，诸天尚且不够你居住，更何况我建造的这殿呢？ 28 可是，我的上帝耶和华啊，求你垂顾你仆人的祷告和祈求，垂听你仆人今天在你面前的呼求和祈祷。 29 愿你昼夜看顾这殿——你应许立你名的地方！你仆人向着这地方祷告的时候，求你垂听。 30 你仆人和你的以色列子民向这地方祈祷的时候，求你从你天上的居所垂听，赦免我们的罪。
31 “如果有人得罪邻舍，被叫到这殿中，在你的坛前起誓， 32 求你从天上垂听，在你众仆人当中施行审判，按他们的行为罚恶赏善。
33 “当你的以色列子民因得罪你而败在敌人手中时，如果他们回心转意归向你，承认你的名，在这殿里祈祷， 34 求你从天上垂听，赦免他们的罪，带领他们回到你赐给他们祖先的土地上。
35 “当你的子民得罪你，你惩罚他们，叫天不降雨时，如果他们向着这殿祷告，承认你的名，并离开罪恶， 36 求你在天上垂听，赦免你仆人——你以色列子民的罪，教导他们走正道，降下甘霖滋润你赐给你子民作产业的土地。
37 “如果国中有饥荒、瘟疫、旱灾、霉病、蝗灾、虫灾，或是城邑被敌人围困，无论遭遇什么灾祸疾病， 38 只要你的以色列子民，或个人或全体，自知心中痛苦并向着这殿伸手祷告，无论祈求什么， 39 求你从天上的居所垂听，赦免他们。唯独你能洞察人心，你必按各人的行为施行赏罚， 40 使你的子民在你赐给我们祖先的土地上终生敬畏你。
41-42 “如果有远方的外族人听说你的大能大力，慕名而来，向着这殿祷告， 43 求你从天上的居所垂听，应允他们的祈求，好叫天下万民都像你的以色列子民一样认识你的名，敬畏你，并知道我建造的这殿属于你的名下。
44 “你的子民奉你的命令上阵与敌人作战，无论他们在哪里，如果他们向着你选择的这城和我为你建造的这殿祷告， 45 求你从天上垂听，使他们得胜。
46 “世上没有不犯罪的人，如果你的子民得罪你，以致你向他们发怒，让敌人把他们掳走，不论远近， 47 若他们在那里回心转意，向你恳求，承认自己犯罪作恶了； 48 若他们全心全意地归向你，朝着你赐给他们祖先的这片土地、你选择的这城和我为你建的这殿向你祷告， 49 求你从天上的居所垂听他们的祈求，为他们伸张正义， 50 赦免得罪你的子民，赦免他们的一切过犯，使掳掠他们的人善待他们。 51 因为他们是你的子民、你的产业，是你从埃及那熊熊的火炉里拯救出来的。
52 “愿你垂顾仆人和你的以色列子民的祈求。无论他们什么时候向你祈求，都求你垂听。 53 主耶和华啊，因为你把我们祖先带出埃及的时候，曾经借着你的仆人摩西应许将以色列人从万民中分别出来，作你自己的产业。”
所罗门为民祝福
54 所罗门跪在耶和华的坛前，举着手向耶和华祷告完毕， 55 便站起来高声为以色列全体会众祝福： 56 “耶和华当受称颂！祂照着应许赐平安给祂的以色列子民。祂从前借着仆人摩西赐下的美好应许一句也没有落空。 57 愿我们的上帝耶和华与我们同在，就像与我们的祖先同在一样。愿祂永远都不撇下我们，不丢弃我们， 58 使我们的心归向祂，遵行祂的旨意，谨守祂吩咐我们祖先的诫命、律例和典章。 59 愿我们的上帝耶和华昼夜顾念我在祂面前的这些祈求，天天护佑祂的仆人和祂的以色列子民， 60 叫地上万民都知道，耶和华是独一无二的上帝。 61 愿你们像今天一样专心事奉我们的上帝耶和华，遵行祂的律法，谨守祂的诫命。”
圣殿奉献礼
62 王和以色列众民一同向耶和华献祭。 63 所罗门向耶和华献上两万二千头牛、十二万只羊作平安祭，王和以色列众民为耶和华的殿举行奉献典礼。
64 那天，因为耶和华殿前的铜坛太小，容不下燔祭、素祭和平安祭祭牲的脂肪，所罗门王就把殿前院子中间分别出来作圣洁之地，在那里献上燔祭、素祭和平安祭祭牲的脂肪。 65 所罗门和从哈马口直至埃及小河而来的全体以色列人聚成一大群会众，在我们的上帝耶和华面前守节期两周，共十四天。 66 之后，所罗门王让众民各回本乡。他们看见耶和华向祂的仆人大卫和以色列子民所施的一切恩惠，都为王祝福，并满心欢喜地回家去了。
列王紀上 8
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Traditional)
運約櫃入聖殿
8 所羅門把以色列的長老、各支派的首領和族長召集到耶路撒冷，準備把耶和華的約櫃從大衛城錫安運上來。
2 在以他念月，即七月住棚節的時候，以色列人都聚集到所羅門王那裡。 3 以色列的長老到齊後，祭司便抬起約櫃， 4 祭司和利未人將約櫃、會幕和會幕裡的一切聖器運上來。 5 所羅門王和聚集到他那裡的以色列全體會眾在約櫃前獻祭，獻上的牛羊多得不可勝數。 6 祭司把耶和華的約櫃抬進內殿，即至聖所，放在兩個基路伯天使的翅膀下面。 7 基路伯天使展開翅膀，遮蓋約櫃和抬約櫃的橫杠。 8 橫杠相當長，在至聖所前面的聖所中可以看見橫杠的末端，在聖所外面看不見。橫杠至今仍在那裡。 9 約櫃裡除了兩塊石版，沒有別的東西。石版是以色列人離開埃及後，耶和華在何烈山跟他們立約時，摩西放進去的。 10 祭司從聖所出來的時候，就有雲彩充滿了耶和華的殿， 11 以致祭司不能留在殿裡供職，因為那裡充滿了耶和華的榮光。 12 那時，所羅門說：
「耶和華啊，
你曾說你要住在密雲中，
13 現在，我為你建造了殿宇，
作你永遠的居所。」
14 然後，王轉身為站立在那裡的以色列民眾祝福， 15 說：「以色列的上帝耶和華當受稱頌！祂親口給我父大衛的應許，現在祂親手成就了！ 16 祂曾說，『自從我把我的以色列子民帶出埃及以來，我並沒有在以色列各支派中選出一座城來建造殿宇，作為我名下的居所。我只是揀選了大衛來治理我的以色列子民。』」 17 所羅門又說：「我父大衛曾想為以色列的上帝耶和華建殿， 18 但是耶和華對我父大衛說，『你想為我建殿，這番心意是好的， 19 但你不要建，要由你的親生兒子為我建殿。』
20 「耶和華已經實現祂的應許，祂讓我繼承我父大衛的王位統治以色列。現在，我為以色列的上帝耶和華的名建了殿， 21 並在殿裡預備了放約櫃的地方。約櫃裡有耶和華的約，是祂把我們的祖先帶出埃及時跟他們立的。」
所羅門的禱告
22 所羅門當著以色列會眾的面，站在耶和華的壇前，向天伸出雙手， 23 禱告說：「以色列的上帝耶和華啊，天上地下沒有神明可以與你相比！你向盡心遵行你旨意的僕人守約，施慈愛。 24 你持守向你僕人——我父大衛的應許，你曾親口應許，你今天親手成就了。
25 「以色列的上帝耶和華啊，你曾對你僕人——我父大衛說，『你的子孫若像你一樣謹慎行事、遵行我的旨意，你的王朝就不會中斷。』求你信守這應許。 26 以色列的上帝耶和華啊，求你實現你向你僕人——我父大衛的應許。
27 「然而，上帝啊，你真的會住在人間嗎？看啊，諸天尚且不夠你居住，更何況我建造的這殿呢？ 28 可是，我的上帝耶和華啊，求你垂顧你僕人的禱告和祈求，垂聽你僕人今天在你面前的呼求和祈禱。 29 願你晝夜看顧這殿——你應許立你名的地方！你僕人向著這地方禱告的時候，求你垂聽。 30 你僕人和你的以色列子民向這地方祈禱的時候，求你從你天上的居所垂聽，赦免我們的罪。
31 「如果有人得罪鄰舍，被叫到這殿中，在你的壇前起誓， 32 求你從天上垂聽，在你眾僕人當中施行審判，按他們的行為罰惡賞善。
33 「當你的以色列子民因得罪你而敗在敵人手中時，如果他們回心轉意歸向你，承認你的名，在這殿裡祈禱， 34 求你從天上垂聽，赦免他們的罪，帶領他們回到你賜給他們祖先的土地上。
35 「當你的子民得罪你，你懲罰他們，叫天不降雨時，如果他們向著這殿禱告，承認你的名，並離開罪惡， 36 求你在天上垂聽，赦免你僕人——你以色列子民的罪，教導他們走正道，降下甘霖滋潤你賜給你子民作產業的土地。
37 「如果國中有饑荒、瘟疫、旱災、黴病、蝗災、蟲災，或是城邑被敵人圍困，無論遭遇什麼災禍疾病， 38 只要你的以色列子民，或個人或全體，自知心中痛苦並向著這殿伸手禱告，無論祈求什麼， 39 求你從天上的居所垂聽，赦免他們。唯獨你能洞察人心，你必按各人的行為施行賞罰， 40 使你的子民在你賜給我們祖先的土地上終生敬畏你。
41-42 「如果有遠方的外族人聽說你的大能大力，慕名而來，向著這殿禱告， 43 求你從天上的居所垂聽，應允他們的祈求，好叫天下萬民都像你的以色列子民一樣認識你的名，敬畏你，並知道我建造的這殿屬於你的名下。
44 「你的子民奉你的命令上陣與敵人作戰，無論他們在哪裡，如果他們向著你選擇的這城和我為你建造的這殿禱告， 45 求你從天上垂聽，使他們得勝。
46 「世上沒有不犯罪的人，如果你的子民得罪你，以致你向他們發怒，讓敵人把他們擄走，不論遠近， 47 若他們在那裡回心轉意，向你懇求，承認自己犯罪作惡了； 48 若他們全心全意地歸向你，朝著你賜給他們祖先的這片土地、你選擇的這城和我為你建的這殿向你禱告， 49 求你從天上的居所垂聽他們的祈求，為他們伸張正義， 50 赦免得罪你的子民，赦免他們的一切過犯，使擄掠他們的人善待他們。 51 因為他們是你的子民、你的產業，是你從埃及那熊熊的火爐裡拯救出來的。
52 「願你垂顧僕人和你的以色列子民的祈求。無論他們什麼時候向你祈求，都求你垂聽。 53 主耶和華啊，因為你把我們祖先帶出埃及的時候，曾經藉著你的僕人摩西應許將以色列人從萬民中分別出來，作你自己的產業。」
所羅門為民祝福
54 所羅門跪在耶和華的壇前，舉著手向耶和華禱告完畢， 55 便站起來高聲為以色列全體會眾祝福： 56 「耶和華當受稱頌！祂照著應許賜平安給祂的以色列子民。祂從前藉著僕人摩西賜下的美好應許一句也沒有落空。 57 願我們的上帝耶和華與我們同在，就像與我們的祖先同在一樣。願祂永遠都不撇下我們，不丟棄我們， 58 使我們的心歸向祂，遵行祂的旨意，謹守祂吩咐我們祖先的誡命、律例和典章。 59 願我們的上帝耶和華晝夜顧念我在祂面前的這些祈求，天天護佑祂的僕人和祂的以色列子民， 60 叫地上萬民都知道，耶和華是獨一無二的上帝。 61 願你們像今天一樣專心事奉我們的上帝耶和華，遵行祂的律法，謹守祂的誡命。」
聖殿奉獻禮
62 王和以色列眾民一同向耶和華獻祭。 63 所羅門向耶和華獻上兩萬二千頭牛、十二萬隻羊作平安祭，王和以色列眾民為耶和華的殿舉行奉獻典禮。
64 那天，因為耶和華殿前的銅壇太小，容不下燔祭、素祭和平安祭祭牲的脂肪，所羅門王就把殿前院子中間分別出來作聖潔之地，在那裡獻上燔祭、素祭和平安祭祭牲的脂肪。 65 所羅門和從哈馬口直至埃及小河而來的全體以色列人聚成一大群會眾，在我們的上帝耶和華面前守節期兩週，共十四天。 66 之後，所羅門王讓眾民各回本鄉。他們看見耶和華向祂的僕人大衛和以色列子民所施的一切恩惠，都為王祝福，並滿心歡喜地回家去了。
1 Kings 8
New King James Version
The Ark Brought into the Temple(A)
8 Now (B)Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the chief fathers of the children of Israel, to King Solomon in Jerusalem, (C)that they might bring (D)up the ark of the covenant of the Lord from the City of David, which is Zion. 2 Therefore all the men of Israel assembled with King Solomon at the (E)feast in the month of [a]Ethanim, which is the seventh month. 3 So all the elders of Israel came, (F)and the priests took up the ark. 4 Then they brought up the ark of the Lord, (G)the [b]tabernacle of meeting, and all the holy furnishings that were in the tabernacle. The priests and the Levites brought them up. 5 Also King Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel who were assembled with him, were with him before the ark, (H)sacrificing sheep and oxen that could not be counted or numbered for multitude. 6 Then the priests (I)brought in the ark of the covenant of the Lord to (J)its place, into the inner sanctuary of the temple, to the Most Holy Place, (K)under the wings of the cherubim. 7 For the cherubim spread their two wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubim overshadowed the ark and its poles. 8 The poles (L)extended so that the [c]ends of the poles could be seen from the holy place, in front of the inner sanctuary; but they could not be seen from outside. And they are there to this day. 9 (M)Nothing was in the ark (N)except the two tablets of stone which Moses (O)put there at Horeb, (P)when the Lord made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.
10 And it came to pass, when the priests came out of the holy place, that the cloud (Q)filled the house of the Lord, 11 so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the (R)glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.
12 (S)Then Solomon spoke:
“The Lord said He would dwell (T)in the dark cloud.
13 (U)I have surely built You an exalted house,
(V)And a place for You to dwell in forever.”
Solomon’s Speech at Completion of the Work(W)
14 Then the king turned around and (X)blessed the whole assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel was standing. 15 And he said: (Y)“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who (Z)spoke with His mouth to my father David, and with His hand has fulfilled it, saying, 16 ‘Since the day that I brought My people Israel out of Egypt, I have chosen no city from any tribe of Israel in which to build a house, that (AA)My name might be there; but I chose (AB)David to be over My people Israel.’ 17 Now (AC)it was in the heart of my father David to build a [d]temple for the name of the Lord God of Israel. 18 (AD)But the Lord said to my father David, ‘Whereas it was in your heart to build a temple for My name, you did well that it was in your heart. 19 Nevertheless (AE)you shall not build the temple, but your son who will come from your body, he shall build the temple for My name.’ 20 So the Lord has fulfilled His word which He spoke; and I have [e]filled the position of my father David, and sit on the throne of Israel, (AF)as the Lord promised; and I have built a temple for the name of the Lord God of Israel. 21 And there I have made a place for the ark, in which is (AG)the covenant of the Lord which He made with our fathers, when He brought them out of the land of Egypt.”
Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication(AH)
22 Then Solomon stood before (AI)the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and (AJ)spread out his hands toward heaven; 23 and he said: “Lord God of Israel, (AK)there is no God in heaven above or on earth below like You, (AL)who keep Your covenant and mercy with Your servants who (AM)walk before You with all their hearts. 24 You have kept what You promised Your servant David my father; You have both spoken with Your mouth and fulfilled it with Your hand, as it is this day. 25 Therefore, Lord God of Israel, now keep what You promised Your servant David my father, saying, (AN)‘You shall not fail to have a man sit before Me on the throne of Israel, only if your sons take heed to their way, that they walk before Me as you have walked before Me.’ 26 (AO)And now I pray, O God of Israel, let Your word come true, which You have spoken to Your servant David my father.
27 “But (AP)will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the (AQ)heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built! 28 Yet regard the prayer of Your servant and his supplication, O Lord my God, and listen to the cry and the prayer which Your servant is praying before You today: 29 that Your eyes may be open toward this [f]temple night and day, toward the place of which You said, (AR)‘My name shall be (AS)there,’ that You may hear the prayer which Your servant makes (AT)toward this place. 30 (AU)And may You hear the supplication of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. Hear in heaven Your dwelling place; and when You hear, forgive.
31 “When anyone sins against his neighbor, and is forced to take (AV)an oath, and comes and takes an oath before Your altar in this temple, 32 then hear in heaven, and act, and judge Your servants, (AW)condemning the wicked, bringing his way on his head, and justifying the righteous by giving him according to his righteousness.
33 (AX)“When Your people Israel are defeated before an enemy because they have sinned against You, and (AY)when they turn back to You and confess Your name, and pray and make supplication to You in this temple, 34 then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of Your people Israel, and bring them back to the land which You gave to their (AZ)fathers.
35 (BA)“When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against You, when they pray toward this place and confess Your name, and turn from their sin because You afflict them, 36 then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of Your servants, Your people Israel, that You may (BB)teach them (BC)the good way in which they should walk; and send rain on Your land which You have given to Your people as an inheritance.
37 (BD)“When there is famine in the land, pestilence or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers; when their enemy besieges them in the land of their [g]cities; whatever plague or whatever sickness there is; 38 whatever prayer, whatever supplication is made by anyone, or by all Your people Israel, when each one knows the plague of his own heart, and spreads out his hands toward this temple: 39 then hear in heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive, and act, and give to everyone according to all his ways, whose heart You know (for You alone (BE)know the hearts of all the sons of men), 40 (BF)that they may fear You all the days that they live in the land which You gave to our fathers.
41 “Moreover, concerning a foreigner, who is not of Your people Israel, but has come from a far country for Your name’s sake 42 (for they will hear of Your great name and Your (BG)strong hand and Your outstretched arm), when he comes and prays toward this temple, 43 hear in heaven Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You, (BH)that all peoples of the earth may know Your name and (BI)fear You, as do Your people Israel, and that they may know that this temple which I have built is called by Your name.
44 “When Your people go out to battle against their enemy, wherever You send them, and when they pray to the Lord toward the city which You have chosen and the temple which I have built for Your name, 45 then hear in heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their [h]cause.
46 “When they sin against You (BJ)(for there is no one who does not sin), and You become angry with them and deliver them to the enemy, and they take them captive (BK)to the land of the enemy, far or near; 47 (BL)yet when they [i]come to themselves in the land where they were carried captive, and repent, and make supplication to You in the land of those who took them captive, (BM)saying, ‘We have sinned and done wrong, we have committed wickedness’; 48 and when they (BN)return to You with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their enemies who led them away captive, and (BO)pray to You toward their land which You gave to their fathers, the city which You have chosen and the temple which I have built for Your name: 49 then hear in heaven Your dwelling place their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their [j]cause, 50 and forgive Your people who have sinned against You, and all their transgressions which they have transgressed against You; and (BP)grant them compassion before those who took them captive, that they may have compassion on them 51 (for (BQ)they are Your people and Your inheritance, whom You brought out of Egypt, (BR)out of the iron furnace), 52 (BS)that Your eyes may be open to the supplication of Your servant and the supplication of Your people Israel, to listen to them whenever they call to You. 53 For You separated them from among all the peoples of the earth to be Your inheritance, (BT)as You spoke by Your servant Moses, when You brought our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord God.”
Solomon Blesses the Assembly(BU)
54 (BV)And so it was, when Solomon had finished praying all this prayer and supplication to the Lord, that he arose from before the altar of the Lord, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven. 55 Then he stood (BW)and blessed all the assembly of Israel with a loud voice, saying: 56 “Blessed be the Lord, who has given (BX)rest[k] to His people Israel, according to all that He promised. (BY)There has not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised through His servant Moses. 57 May the Lord our God be with us, as He was with our fathers. (BZ)May He not leave us nor forsake us, 58 that He may (CA)incline our hearts to Himself, to walk in all His ways, and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, which He commanded our fathers. 59 And may these words of mine, with which I have made supplication before the Lord, be near the Lord our God day and night, that He may maintain the cause of His servant and the cause of His people Israel, as each day may require, 60 (CB)that all the peoples of the earth may know that (CC)the Lord is God; there is no other. 61 Let your (CD)heart therefore be [l]loyal to the Lord our God, to walk in His statutes and keep His commandments, as at this day.”
Solomon Dedicates the Temple(CE)
62 Then (CF)the king and all Israel with him offered sacrifices before the Lord. 63 And Solomon offered a sacrifice of peace offerings, which he offered to the Lord, twenty-two thousand bulls and one hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the children of Israel dedicated the house of the Lord. 64 On (CG)the same day the king consecrated the middle of the court that was in front of the house of the Lord; for there he offered burnt offerings, grain offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings, because the (CH)bronze altar that was before the Lord was too small to receive the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings.
65 At that time Solomon held (CI)a feast, and all Israel with him, a great assembly from (CJ)the entrance of Hamath to (CK)the Brook of Egypt, before the Lord our God, (CL)seven days and seven more days—fourteen days. 66 (CM)On the eighth day he sent the people away; and they [m]blessed the king, and went to their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the good that the Lord had done for His servant David, and for Israel His people.
Footnotes
- 1 Kings 8:2 Or Tishri, September or October
- 1 Kings 8:4 tent
- 1 Kings 8:8 heads
- 1 Kings 8:17 Lit. house, and so in vv. 18–20
- 1 Kings 8:20 risen in the place of
- 1 Kings 8:29 Lit. house
- 1 Kings 8:37 Lit. gates
- 1 Kings 8:45 justice
- 1 Kings 8:47 Lit. bring back to their heart
- 1 Kings 8:49 justice
- 1 Kings 8:56 peace
- 1 Kings 8:61 Lit. at peace with
- 1 Kings 8:66 thanked
1 Kings 8
EasyEnglish Bible
Solomon puts the Covenant Box in the temple
8 Then Solomon told all the leaders of Israel to come to him in Jerusalem. They were all the leaders of the Israelite tribes and families. He wanted them to bring the Lord's Covenant Box from Mount Zion, the City of David, to put it in the temple.[a] 2 So all the Israelite leaders came together to meet with King Solomon. This happened during the Festival of Huts in the seventh month of the year, called Ethanim.[b] 3 When all Israel's leaders had arrived, the priests lifted up the Covenant Box.
4 The priests and the Levites carried the Lord's Covenant Box, the Tent of Meeting and all the holy things that were in the tent.
5 King Solomon and all the Israelites who were with him walked in front of the Covenant Box. They offered many sheep and bulls as sacrifices. There were more animals than anyone could count.
6 Then the priests brought the Lord's Covenant Box to its proper place in the inside room of the temple. That was the Most Holy Place. They put it under the wings of the cherubs. 7 The wings of the cherubs touched each other above the place where the Covenant Box was. The cherubs covered the Covenant Box and the poles that the Levites used to carry it.[c] 8 The poles were very long. The priests could see their ends from the Holy Place, if they stood in front of the Most Holy Place. But nobody could see the poles from outside the temple. And they are still there today.
9 There was nothing in the Covenant Box, except the two flat stones that Moses had put there at Sinai. That was where the Lord made a covenant with the Israelites after they came out from Egypt.
10 When the priests came out from the Holy Place, a cloud filled the Lord's temple. 11 The priests could not do their work to serve the Lord, because of the cloud. The Lord's bright glory filled his temple.
12 Then Solomon prayed, ‘Lord, you have said that you live in a dark cloud. 13 Now I have built a great temple for you. It is a place where you can live for ever.’
Solomon speaks to his people
14 While all the Israelite people stood there, the king turned round towards them. He prayed that God would bless them. 15 He said, ‘Praise the Lord, Israel's God, as he deserves. He has used his power to do what he promised to do for my father David. 16 He told David, “I brought my people, the Israelites, out from Egypt. From that time, I have not chosen a city in any of Israel's tribes to build a temple where my people would worship me. Now I have chosen David to rule Israel, my people, as king.” 17 My father David wanted very much to build a temple to give honour to the Lord, Israel's God. 18 But the Lord said to my father David, “It was good that you wanted to build a temple to give me honour. 19 But you will not build the temple. Instead, one of your own sons will build it to give honour to me.” 20 Now the Lord has done what he promised to do. I now rule Israel as king on the throne of my father David, as the Lord promised. I have built this temple to give honour to the Lord, Israel's God. 21 I have made a place there for the Covenant Box. It contains the covenant that the Lord made with our ancestors when he brought them out of Egypt.’
Solomon prays in the temple
22 Then Solomon stood in front of the Lord's altar. All the Israelite people who had come together there could see him. He lifted up his hands towards the sky.[d] 23 He prayed,
‘Lord, Israel's God, there is no God like you, either in heaven above or down here on the earth. You continue to do what you have promised to do for your people. You faithfully love those who want to serve you. 24 You have done what you promised to do for your servant, my father David. You have used your power to finish today everything that you said you would do. 25 Now Lord, Israel's God, there is another promise that you spoke to my father David. I pray that you will do that too. You said to David, “There will always be one of your descendants to rule Israel as my chosen king. But for this to happen, your sons must be careful to serve me well, as you have done.” 26 So now, God of Israel, please cause what you promised to my father, your servant David, to happen.
27 But surely God, you do not live on the earth! The whole sky, or even heaven itself, is too small to contain you! So how can you live in this temple that I have built? 28 But Lord, my God, please listen to my prayer, as I ask you for help. Please answer me, your servant, because I need your help today. 29 Watch over this temple and take care of it day and night. This is the place about which you said, “People will give honour to my name there.” Please answer my prayers when I turn towards this place to pray to you. 30 Hear the prayers of me, your servant, and the prayers of your people, the Israelites. Please answer us when we turn towards this place and we pray to you. Hear us from heaven, the place where you live. And when we pray, forgive us for our sins.
31 Somebody may do a bad thing against another person. Then he may come to this temple and stand in front of your altar. He may say to you that he is not guilty of any wrong thing. 32 Then listen from heaven to what these people are saying. Decide who is right. Punish the guilty person as he deserves. Show clearly that the other person is right, because he has not done any wrong thing.
33 Perhaps an enemy will win against your people, the Israelites, because we have not obeyed you. But then your people may turn back to you and worship you. They may come into this temple and pray that you will help them. 34 If they do that, please hear them from heaven! Please forgive the sins of your people, the Israelites. Please bring them back to the land that you gave to their ancestors.
35 Sometimes, there may be no rain from the sky because your people have not obeyed you. Then they may turn towards this place and pray to you. They may give honour to your name and turn away from their sins, because you have punished them. 36 If they do that, please hear them from heaven! Please forgive the sins of your servants, your people, the Israelites. Teach them to live in the right way. And please send rain onto this land that you gave to your people to belong to them for ever.
37 Sometimes, there may be other troubles in our land. There may be a famine or a bad disease. Our crops may not grow and our animals may be ill. Locusts may destroy our crops. An enemy may attack some cities in our land. Or there may be other kinds of disease or trouble. 38 Then, some of your people may pray to you and ask you for help. If someone is sad and upset, he may turn towards this temple and lift up his hands in prayer. 39 If someone does that, please hear him from your home in heaven. Please forgive the sins of your people and help them. Only you know what people are thinking. So please give to each person as they deserve. 40 Then your people will respect and obey you as they live in this land that you gave to our ancestors.
41 Foreigners, who do not belong to your people, the Israelites, will hear how great you are. Then they will come here from other countries far away. 42 They will hear about you and your power to do great things. Then they will turn towards this temple and pray to you. 43 When that happens, please hear them from your home in heaven. Please answer all the prayers of these foreign people. Then people from all the nations in the world will realize how great you are. They also will respect you and obey you, as your own people do. They will understand that this temple that I have built belongs to you.
44 Sometimes, your people will go to fight against their enemies at the place where you have sent them. Then they may turn towards this city and pray to the Lord. This is the city that you have chosen for me to build the temple to give you honour. 45 When they pray to you, please hear them from your home in heaven. Do what is right to help them win against their enemies.
46 There is nobody who never does a wrong thing. So when your people do not obey you, you will be angry with them. You will put them under the power of their enemies. Those enemies will take them as prisoners to their own country. Perhaps it will be a country that is far away. Perhaps it will be near. 47 Then your people may think about the bad things that they have done. While they are prisoners in their enemy's country, they may be sorry about their sins. They may pray to you and ask you to forgive them. They may say, “We have turned away from God and we have done wicked things.” 48 In the country where they are prisoners, they may turn back to you and worship you truly. They may turn towards this land that you gave to their ancestors. They may pray to you as they look towards this city that you have chosen. They may look towards the temple that I have built to give you honour. 49 If they do that, please hear them from your home in heaven. Please answer their prayers and do what is right to help them.
50 Please forgive your people for all the sins that they have done against you. Please cause their enemies to be kind to them. 51 Remember that they are your special people who belong to you. You brought them out of Egypt where they were like prisoners in a very hot oven.
52 I pray that you will carefully watch over me, your servant. Please answer my prayers and the prayers of your people, the Israelites. Whenever we pray to you, please listen to us. 53 From all the nations of the world you chose Israel to belong to you as your special people. Almighty Lord, this is what you promised to your servant Moses when you brought our ancestors out of Egypt.’
54 So Solomon finished all his prayers and everything that he wanted to ask the Lord for. He had been down on his knees with his hands lifted up towards the sky in front of the Lord's altar. Now he stood up. 55 When he stood up, he asked God to bless all the people in Israel. He said with a loud voice, 56 ‘Praise the Lord as he deserves! He has given his people, the Israelites, a safe place to live, as he has promised to do. Every great promise that the Lord gave to his servant Moses has now happened! 57 I pray that the Lord our God will be with us, as he was with our ancestors. I pray that he will never leave us or turn away from us. 58 I pray that the Lord will cause us to respect his authority. Then we will do what he wants us to do. We will obey all his commands, rules and laws that he gave to our ancestors. 59 I pray that the Lord our God will continue to remember these words that I have prayed. May he keep them in his thoughts. I pray that he will do what is right to help me and his people, the Israelites. May he give us the help that we need each day. 60 Then all the nations of the earth will understand that the Lord is the only true God. There is no other God. 61 I pray that you will continue to serve the Lord our God faithfully. You must continue to obey his rules and his commands, as you do now.’
Solomon offers the temple as a gift to God
62 Then the king and all the Israelite people who were with him offered sacrifices to the Lord.
63 These are the friendship offerings that Solomon offered to the Lord:
22,000 cows.
120,000 sheep and goats.
In this way, King Solomon and all the Israelite people offered the temple as a gift to the Lord.
64 On the same day, the king gave to the Lord the yard that was in front of the temple. King Solomon offered burnt offerings and grain offerings to the Lord. He also offered the fat from the friendship offerings. The bronze altar in front of the temple was too small to contain all these offerings.[e] So Solomon made these sacrifices in the middle of the yard instead. 65 At that time, Solomon and the big crowd of Israelites who were with him had a festival for seven days.[f] They gave honour to the Lord our God. There were people from everywhere in Israel, from Hamath in the north to the Stream of Egypt in the south. 66 The day after the festival, Solomon sent the people away to their homes. They thanked God for the king and were very happy. They were full of joy because the Lord had done many good things for his servant David and for his people, the Israelites.
Footnotes
- 8:1 Before they built the temple, King David had put the Covenant Box in a tent.
- 8:2 See Leviticus 23:33-43.
- 8:7 See 1 Kings 6:23-28.
- 8:22 ‘the sky’ or ‘heaven’
- 8:64 See Leviticus 1—3.
- 8:65 ‘seven days’ or ‘14 days’. After seven days for the sacrifices for the temple, the Festival of Huts may have continued for another seven days.
Chinese Contemporary Bible Copyright © 1979, 2005, 2007, 2011 by Biblica® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
EasyEnglish Bible Copyright © MissionAssist 2019 - Charitable Incorporated Organisation 1162807. Used by permission. All rights reserved.