列王纪上 8
Chinese New Version (Traditional)
運約櫃進殿(A)
8 那時，所羅門把以色列的長老、各支派的首領和以色列的族長，都召集到耶路撒冷自己面前，要把耶和華的約櫃從大衛城，就是錫安運上來。 2 於是，在以他念月，就是七月，在守節期的時候，以色列眾人都聚集到所羅門王那裡。 3 以色列的眾長老都來到了，祭司們就把約櫃抬起來。 4 祭司和利未人把耶和華的約櫃、會幕和會幕裡的一切聖器具都運上來。 5 所羅門王和聚集到他那裡的以色列全體會眾，都一同在約櫃前獻牛羊為祭，數目多得不可勝數，無法計算。 6 祭司把耶和華的約櫃抬進內殿為它預備的地方，就是至聖所，放在兩個基路伯的翅膀底下。 7 因為基路伯展開翅膀在約櫃所在地的上面，遮掩約櫃和抬櫃的槓。 8 這些槓很長，在內殿前的聖所可以看見槓頭，在殿外卻看不見；直到今日，這些槓還在那裡。 9 約櫃裡面只有兩塊石版，這兩塊石版在以色列人出埃及地以後，耶和華與他們立約的時候，摩西在何烈山放在那裡的。 10 祭司從聖所裡出來的時候，有雲彩充滿耶和華的殿， 11 因為雲彩的緣故，祭司不能站立服事，因為耶和華的榮光充滿了聖殿。
12 那時，所羅門說：
“耶和華曾說，他要住在密雲中。
13 現在我果然為你建造了一座巍峨的殿，
作你永遠的居所。”
所羅門宣告建殿的理由(B)
14 於是王把臉轉過來，為全體以色列會眾祝福，全體以色列會眾都站著。 15 所羅門說：“耶和華以色列的 神是應當稱頌的，因為他親口對我父親大衛應許過的，現在他親手成全了。他說： 16 ‘自從我把我的子民以色列領出埃及的日子以來，我未曾在以色列的各支派中揀選一座城，建造殿宇，作我名的居所；但我揀選了大衛治理我的子民以色列。’ 17 我父大衛心裡有意要為耶和華以色列的 神的名建殿。 18 但耶和華對我父大衛說：‘你心裡有意為我的名建一座殿，你這心意是好的。 19 然而你不要建造這殿，只有你親生的兒子，他必為我的名建造這殿。’ 20 現在耶和華已經實現了他說過的話，我已經起來繼承我父大衛，坐在以色列的王位上，正如耶和華所說過的。我也已經為耶和華以色列的 神的名建造了這殿。 21 我又為約櫃預備了一個地方。這約櫃裡有耶和華的約，就是他領我們列祖出埃及地的時候與他們所立的。”
所羅門獻殿的禱告(C)
22 所羅門當著以色列的全體會眾，站在耶和華的祭壇前，向天伸開雙手， 23 禱告說：“耶和華以色列的 神啊，天上地下沒有別的神像你；你對一心在你面前行事為人的僕人守約施慈愛。 24 你謹守了你應許過你僕人我父大衛的話。你親口說過，也親手作成，正如今天一樣。 25 耶和華以色列的 神啊，現在求你謹守你應許你僕人我父親大衛的話：‘只要你的子孫謹守他們的行為，像你在我面前所行的一樣，就必不斷有人坐以色列的王位。’ 26 以色列的 神啊，現在求你成就你應許你僕人我父大衛的話吧！
27 “ 神真的住在地上嗎？看哪！天和天上的天尚且不能容納你，何況我建造的這殿呢？ 28 然而耶和華我的 神啊，求你垂顧你僕人的禱告和懇求，垂聽你僕人今天在你面前所作的呼籲和禱告。 29 願你的眼睛晝夜看顧這殿，看顧你所說‘我的名要留在那裡’的地方。願你垂聽你僕人向這地方所發的禱告。 30 你僕人和你的子民以色列向這地方禱告的時候，求你垂聽他們的懇求。求你在天上的居所垂聽，垂聽而赦免。
31 “如果有人得罪他的鄰居被迫起誓，他來到這殿在你的祭壇前起誓的時候， 32 求你在天上垂聽，採取行動，審判你的僕人，定惡人有罪，使他所行的，都歸到他自己的頭上。定義人有理，照著他的公義賞賜他。
33 “你的子民以色列若是得罪了你，以致在仇敵面前被打敗，又回轉歸向你，承認你的名，在這殿裡向你禱告懇求的時候， 34 求你在天上垂聽，赦免你的子民以色列的罪，領他們返回你賜給他們列祖之地。
35 “如果他們因為得罪了你，天就閉塞不下雨；他們若是向這地方禱告，承認你的名；又因你苦待他們，就離開他們的罪， 36 求你在天上垂聽，赦免你僕人和你的子民以色列的罪，指示他們當行的善道，賜雨水在你的地上，就是你賜給你子民的產業之地。
37 “如果這地有饑荒、瘟疫、旱風、霉爛、蝗蟲、螞蚱，或有仇敵把他們圍困在城裡，無論遭遇甚麼災禍，甚麼疾病， 38 你的子民以色列，或是眾人，或是個人，知道自己心裡的苦痛，向這殿伸開雙手所作的一切禱告、一切懇求， 39 求你在天上你的居所垂聽而赦免，並且採取行動。你是知道人心的，只有你知道萬人的心，求你照著各人所行的報應他， 40 好使他們在你賜給我們列祖的地上，一生一世敬畏你。
41 “至於不屬於你的子民以色列的外族人，為了你的名的緣故從遠地而來， 42 因為他們聽到你的大名、大能的手和伸出來的膀臂，他們來向這殿禱告的時候， 43 求你在天上你的居所垂聽，照著外族人向你呼求的一切而行，好使地上的萬族萬民都認識你的名，敬畏你，像你的子民以色列一樣；又使他們知道我建造的這殿是稱為你的名下的。
44 “如果你的子民出去與仇敵爭戰，無論你派他們到哪處，他們若是向你所揀選的這城，並向我為你的名建造的這殿禱告， 45 求你在天上垂聽他們的禱告和懇求，為他們主持公道。
46 “如果你的子民得罪了你（沒有不犯罪的世人），你向他們發怒，把他們交給仇敵，以致仇敵把他們擄到仇敵的地方，或是遠或是近， 47 在被擄的地方，他們若是回心轉意，在他們被擄去之地回轉，向你祈求，說：‘我們犯了罪了；我們犯了過了，我們作了惡事。’ 48 如果他們在俘擄他們的仇敵的地方，一心一意回轉歸向你，又向著你賜給他們列祖的地方，向你所揀選的這城，和我為你的名建造的這殿禱告， 49 求你在天上你的居所垂聽他們的禱告和懇求，為他們主持公道。 50 赦免得罪了你的子民，又赦免他們冒犯你的一切過犯，使他們在擄他們的人面前蒙憐憫。 51 因為他們是你的子民、你的產業，是你從埃及、從鐵爐中領出來的。 52 願你睜開眼睛看顧你僕人的祈求，和你的子民以色列的祈求，他們向你呼求的，願你都垂聽。 53 主耶和華啊！因為你已經把他們從地上萬族萬民中分別出來，作自己的產業，正如你領我們的列祖出埃及的時候，藉著你的僕人摩西所應許的。”
所羅門為人民祝福
54 所羅門在耶和華的祭壇前屈膝下跪，向天伸開雙手，向耶和華獻完了這一切禱告和懇求以後，就起來， 55 站著，大聲給以色列的全體會眾祝福，說： 56 “耶和華是應當稱頌的。他照著自己一切所應許的，賜安息給他的子民以色列人。藉著他的僕人摩西所應許一切美好的話，一句都沒有落空。 57 願耶和華我們的 神與我們同在，像與我們的列祖同在一樣。願他不離棄我們，也不撇下我們。 58 願他使我們的心歸向他，遵行他的一切道，謹守他吩咐我們列祖的誡命、律例和典章。 59 願我在耶和華面前懇求的這些話，晝夜都不離耶和華我們的 神，好使他天天為他僕人和他的子民以色列人主持公道， 60 使地上萬族萬民都知道耶和華是 神，除他以外沒有別的神。 61 所以你們的心要完全歸給耶和華我們的 神，遵行他的律例，謹守他的誡命，像今天一樣。”
獻殿禮的獻祭(D)
62 王和所有與他在一起的以色列人都在耶和華面前獻祭。 63 所羅門向耶和華獻平安祭，牛二萬二千頭，羊十二萬隻；這樣，王和以色列眾人為耶和華的殿舉行了奉獻典禮。 64 那一天，因為耶和華面前的銅祭壇太小，容不下燔祭、素祭和平安祭牲的脂肪，王就把耶和華殿前院子當中的地方分別為聖，在那裡獻燔祭、素祭和平安祭牲的脂肪。 65 那時所羅門與從哈馬口直到埃及小河的以色列人，都在耶和華我們的 神面前舉行盛大的集會，守節七天，又七天，一共十四天。 66 到了第八天，王遣散了眾人；眾人都祝福過王以後，就高高興興地回自己的家去。他們因為看見耶和華向他僕人大衛和他子民以色列所施的一切恩惠，心中都感到歡喜。
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
International Children’s Bible
The Ark of the Covenant Is Brought into the Temple
8 Then King Solomon called for all the leaders of Israel to come to him in Jerusalem. He called for the elders, the heads of the tribes and the leaders of the families. He wanted them to bring the Ark of the Covenant with the Lord from the older part of the city. 2 So all the men of Israel came together with King Solomon. This was during a festival in the month of Ethanim. That is the seventh month.
3 All of the elders of Israel arrived. Then the priests took up the Ark of the Covenant. 4 They carried the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord, the Meeting Tent and the holy things in it. The Levites helped the priests carry these things. 5 King Solomon and all the people of Israel gathered before the Ark of the Covenant. They sacrificed so many sheep and cattle no one could count them all. 6 Then the priests put the Ark of the Covenant with the Lord in its right place. This was inside the Most Holy Place in the Temple. The Ark of the Covenant was put under the wings of the golden creatures. 7 The wings of the creatures were spread out over the place of the Ark of the Covenant. So they covered it and its carrying poles. 8 The carrying poles were very long. 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 of the Covenant were two stone tablets.[a] Moses had put them in the Ark of the Covenant 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, the cloud filled the Temple of the Lord. 11 The priests could not continue their work. This was because the Temple was filled with the glory of the Lord.
Solomon Speaks to the People
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. It is a place for you to live forever.”
14 While all the people of Israel were standing there, King Solomon turned to them and blessed them.
15 Then he prayed: “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel. He himself has done what he promised to my father David. The Lord told my father, 16 ‘I brought my people Israel out of Egypt. But I have not yet chosen a city in any tribe of Israel where a temple will be built for worshiping me. But I have chosen David to rule over my people Israel.’
17 “My father David wanted to build a temple for worshiping the Lord, the God of Israel. 18 But the Lord said to my father David, ‘I know you want to build a temple for worshiping me. And this is good. 19 But you are not the one to build the temple. It will be your son, who comes from your own body. He is the one who will build my temple.’
20 “So the Lord has kept the promise that he gave. I am the king now in place of David my father. Now I rule Israel as the Lord promised. And I have built the Temple for worshiping the Lord, the God of Israel. 21 I have made a place in the Temple for the Ark of the Covenant. Inside that Ark is the agreement the Lord made with our ancestors. He made that agreement when he brought them out of Egypt.”
Solomon’s Prayer
22 Then Solomon stood facing the Lord’s altar. All of the people of Israel were standing behind him. He spread out his hands and looked toward the sky. 23 He said:
“Lord, God of Israel, there is no god like you. There is no god like you in heaven above or on the earth below. You make agreements with your people because you love them. And you keep your agreements with those who truly follow you. 24 You have kept the promise you made to your servant David, my father. You made that promise with your own mouth. And with your great power you have made it come true today. 25 Now Lord, God of Israel, keep the other promises you made to your servant David, my father. You said, ‘Your sons must be careful to obey me as you have obeyed me. If they do this, there will always be someone from your family ruling Israel.’ 26 Again, Lord, God of Israel, I ask you. Please continue to keep that promise you made to my father.
27 “But, God, can you really live here on the earth? Even the sky and the highest place in heaven cannot contain you. Certainly this house which I have built cannot contain you either. 28 But please listen to my prayer and my request. I am your servant, and you are the Lord my God. Hear this prayer I am praying to you today. 29 In the past you said, ‘I will be worshiped there.’ So please watch over this Temple night and day. Hear the prayer I pray to you here. 30 Hear my prayers and the prayers of your people Israel. Please hear us when we pray facing this place. Hear us from your home in heaven. And when you hear us, forgive us.
31 “If a person does something wrong against someone else, he will be brought to the altar in this Temple. If he swears an oath that he is not guilty, 32 then hear in heaven. Judge the man. Punish the guilty person for what he has done. And declare that the innocent person is not guilty.
33 “Sometimes your people of Israel will sin against you. Because of this their enemies will defeat them. Then the people will come back to you and praise you. They will pray to you in this Temple. 34 Please hear them in heaven. Forgive the sins of your people Israel. Allow them to have their land again. This is the land you gave to their ancestors.
35 “Sometimes when they sin against you, you will stop the rain from falling on their land. Then they will pray, facing this place. They will praise you. They will stop sinning when you make them suffer. 36 When this happens, please hear their prayer in heaven. Then forgive the sins of your servant. And forgive the sins of the people of Israel. Teach them to do what is right. Then please send rain to this land you gave them.
37 “At times the land will become so dry that no food will grow. Or, a great sickness will spread among the people. Sometimes all the crops will be destroyed by locusts or grasshoppers. Your people will be attacked in their cities by their enemies. Your people will become sick. 38 When any of these things happen, the people will become truly sorry. If anyone of your people Israel spreads his hands in prayer toward this Temple, 39 please hear his prayer. Hear it from your home in heaven. Then forgive the people and help them. Only you know what people are really thinking. So judge each person, and do to him what is right. 40 Do this so your people will respect you all the time they live in this land. This is the land you gave to our ancestors.
41-42 “People who are not Israelites, who come from other lands, will hear about your greatness and power. They will come from far away to pray at this Temple. 43 Please hear their prayers from your home in heaven. Please do whatever they ask you. Then people everywhere will know you and respect you, as your people in Israel do. Then everyone will know I built this Temple for worship to you.
44 “Sometimes you will command your people to go and fight against their enemies. Then your people will pray to you facing this city which you have chosen. They will pray facing the Temple I have built for your worship. 45 When they pray, hear their prayers from your home in heaven. Then help them.
46 “Everyone sins. So your people will also sin against you. And you will become angry with your people. You will let their enemies defeat them. Their enemies will make them prisoners and carry them away to their own countries. 47 Your people might be sorry for their sins when they are held as prisoners in another country. Perhaps they will be sorry and pray to you in the land where they are held as prisoners. They might say, ‘We have sinned and done wrong.’ 48 They may truly turn back to you in the land of their enemies. Perhaps they will pray to you, facing this land you gave their fathers. They may pray to you, facing this city you have chosen. They may face this Temple I have built for your worship. 49 If they do, then please hear them from your home in heaven. Hear their prayers and do what is right. 50 Forgive your people of all their sins. And forgive them for turning against you. Make those who have taken them as prisoners show them mercy. 51 Remember that they are your people. Remember that you brought them out of Egypt. It was as if you pulled them out of a blazing furnace!
52 “Please give your attention to my prayers. And please give your attention to the prayers of your people Israel. Listen to their prayers anytime they ask you for help. 53 You chose them from all the nations on earth to be your very own people. This is what you promised through Moses your servant. You promised it when you brought our ancestors out of Egypt, Lord God.”
54 Solomon prayed this prayer to the Lord. He had been kneeling in front of the altar. And his arms had been raised toward heaven. When Solomon finished praying, he stood up. 55 Then, in a loud voice, he blessed all the people of Israel. Solomon said: 56 “Praise the Lord! He promised he would give rest to his people Israel. And he has given us rest! The Lord has kept all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses. 57 I ask that the Lord our God be with us. May he be with us as he was with our ancestors. May he never leave us. 58 May he cause us to turn to him and follow him. May we obey all the laws and commands he gave our ancestors. 59 I ask that the Lord our God always remember this prayer. I pray that he will help his servant and his people Israel. I pray he will help us every day as we need it. 60 Then all the people of the world will know the Lord is the only true God. 61 So you must fully obey the Lord our God. You must follow all his laws and commands. You must continue to obey in the future as you do now.”
Sacrifices Are Offered
62 Then King Solomon and all Israel with him offered sacrifices to the Lord. 63 Solomon killed 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep. These were fellowship offerings. In this way the king and the Israelites showed they had given the Temple to the Lord.
64 Also that day King Solomon made the courtyard before the Temple holy. He offered whole burnt sacrifices and grain offerings. He also offered the fat from the fellowship offerings. He had to make these offerings in the courtyard. This was because the bronze altar before the Lord was too small. It could not hold all the offerings.
65 So King Solomon and all the people of Israel also celebrated the other festival that came at that time. People came from as far away as Lebo Hamath in the north. And they came from as far as the brook of Egypt in the south. A great many people were there. They ate, drank and rejoiced before the Lord for a total of 14 days. 66 On the following day Solomon sent the people home. So they blessed the king and went home. They were happy because of all the good things the Lord had done for his servant David and for his people, Israel.
Footnotes
- 8:9 stone tablets They were the two tablets on which God wrote the Ten Commandments.
1 Kings 8
Names of God Bible
The Lord Comes to His Temple(A)
8 Then Solomon assembled the respected leaders of Israel, all the heads of the tribes, and the leaders of the Israelite families. They came to King Solomon in Jerusalem to take the ark of Yahweh’s promise from the City of David (that is, Zion). 2 All the people of Israel gathered around King Solomon at the Festival of Booths in the month of Ethanim, the seventh month.
3 When all the leaders of Israel had arrived, the priests picked up Yahweh’s ark. 4 They brought the ark, the tent of meeting, and all the holy utensils in it to the temple. The priests and the Levites carried them 5 while King Solomon with the whole assembly from Israel were offering countless sheep and cattle sacrifices in front of the ark. 6 The priests brought the ark of Yahweh’s promise to its place in the inner room of the temple (the most holy place) under the wings of the angels.[a]
7 When the angels’ outstretched wings were over the place where the ark rested, the angels became a covering above the ark and its poles. 8 The poles were so long that their ends could be seen in the holy place by anyone standing in front of the inner room, but they couldn’t be seen outside. (They are still there today.) 9 There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets Moses put there at Horeb, where Yahweh made a promise to the Israelites after they left Egypt.
10 When the priests left the holy place, a cloud filled Yahweh’s temple. 11 The priests couldn’t serve because of the cloud. Yahweh’s glory filled Yahweh’s temple.
Solomon Addresses the People(B)
12 Then Solomon said, “Yahweh said he would live in a dark cloud. 13 I certainly have built you a high temple, a home for you to live in permanently.”
14 Then the king turned around and blessed the whole assembly of Israel while they were standing. 15 “Thanks be to Yahweh Elohim of Israel. With his mouth he made a promise to my father David; with his hand he carried it out. He said, 16 ‘Ever since I brought my people Israel out of Egypt, I didn’t choose any city in any of the tribes of Israel as a place to build a temple for my name. But now I’ve chosen David to rule my people Israel.’
17 “My father David had his heart set on building a temple for the name of Yahweh Elohim of Israel. 18 However, Yahweh said to my father David, ‘Since you had your heart set on building a temple for my name, your intentions were good. 19 But you must not build the temple. Instead, your own son will build the temple for my name.’ 20 Yahweh has kept the promise he made. I have taken my father David’s place, and I sit on the throne of Israel as Yahweh promised. I’ve built the temple for the name of Yahweh Elohim of Israel. 21 I’ve made a place there for the ark which contains Yahweh’s promise that he made to our ancestors when he brought them out of Egypt.”
Solomon’s Prayer(C)
22 In the presence of the entire assembly of Israel, Solomon stood in front of Yahweh’s altar. He stretched out his hands toward heaven 23 and said,
“Yahweh Elohim of Israel,
there is no god like you in heaven above or on earth below.
You keep your promise[b] of mercy to your servants,
who obey you wholeheartedly.
24 You have kept your promise to my father David, your servant.
With your mouth you promised it.
With your hand you carried it out as it is today.
25 “Now, Yahweh Elohim of Israel,
keep your promise to my father David, your servant.
You said, ‘You will never fail to have an heir
sitting in front of me on the throne of Israel
if your descendants are faithful to me
as you have been faithful to me.’
26 “So now, Elohim of Israel,
may the promise you made to my father David,
your servant, come true.
27 “Does Elohim really live on earth?
If heaven itself, the highest heaven, cannot hold you,
then how can this temple that I have built?
28 Nevertheless, my Yahweh Elohim, please pay attention to my prayer for mercy.
Listen to my cry for help as I pray to you today.
29 Night and day may your eyes be on this temple,
the place about which you said, ‘My name will be there.’
Listen to me as I pray toward this place.
30 Hear the plea for mercy
that your people Israel and I pray toward this place.
Hear us when we pray to heaven, the place where you live.
Hear and forgive.
31 “If anyone sins against another person
and is required to take an oath
and comes to take the oath in front of your altar in this temple,
32 then hear that person in heaven, take action, and make a decision.
Condemn the guilty person with the proper punishment,
but declare the innocent person innocent.
33 “An enemy may defeat your people Israel
because they have sinned against you.
But when your people turn to you, praise your name, pray,
and plead with you in this temple,
34 then hear them in heaven, forgive the sins of your people Israel,
and bring them back to the land that you gave to their ancestors.
35 “When the sky is shut and there’s no rain
because they are sinning against you,
and they pray toward this place, praise your name,
and turn away from their sin because you made them suffer,
36 then hear them in heaven.
Forgive the sins of your servants, your people Israel.
Teach them the proper way to live.
Then send rain on the land,
which you gave to your people as an inheritance.
37 “There may be famine in the land.
Plant diseases, heat waves, funguses, locusts,
or grasshoppers may destroy crops.
Enemies may blockade Israel’s city gates.
During every plague or sickness
38 hear every prayer for mercy,
made by one person or by all the people in Israel,
whose consciences bother them,
who stretch out their hands toward this temple.
39 Hear them in heaven, where you live.
Forgive them, and take action.
Give each person the proper reply.
(You know what is in their hearts,
because you alone know what is in the hearts of all people.)
40 Then, as long as they live in the land that you gave to our ancestors,
they will fear you.
41 “People will hear about your great name,
mighty hand, and powerful arm.[c]
So when people who are not Israelites
come from distant countries because of your name
42 to pray facing this temple,
43 hear them in heaven, the place where you live.
Do everything they ask you
so that all the people of the world may know your name
and fear you like your people Israel
and learn also that this temple which I built bears your name.
44 “When your people go to war against their enemies
(wherever you may send them)
and they pray to you, O Yahweh, toward the city you have chosen
and the temple I built for your name,
45 then hear their prayer for mercy in heaven,
and do what is right for them.
46 “They may sin against you.
(No one is sinless.)
You may become angry with them and hand them over to an enemy
who takes them to another country as captives,
whether it is far or near.
47 If they come to their senses,
are sorry for what they’ve done,
and plead with you in the land where they are captives,
saying, ‘We have sinned. We have done wrong.
We have been wicked,’
48 if they change their attitude toward you
in the land of their enemies where they are captives,
if they pray to you
toward the land that you gave their ancestors,
and the city you have chosen,
and the temple I have built for your name,
49 then in heaven, the place where you live, hear their prayer for mercy.
Do what is right for them.
50 Forgive your people, who have sinned against you.
Forgive all their wrongs when they rebelled against you,
and cause those who captured them to have mercy on them
51 because they are your own people
whom you brought out of Egypt
from the middle of an iron smelter.
52 “May your eyes always see my plea and your people Israel’s plea
so that you will listen to them whenever they call on you.
53 After all, you, Adonay Yahweh, set them apart from all the people of the world
to be your own as you promised through your servant Moses
when you brought our ancestors out of Egypt.”
Solomon Blesses the People
54 When Solomon finished praying this prayer for mercy to Yahweh, he stood in front of Yahweh’s altar, where he had been kneeling with his hands stretched out toward heaven. 55 Then he stood and in a loud voice blessed the entire assembly of Israel, 56 “Thanks be to Yahweh! He has given his people Israel rest, as he had promised. None of the good promises he made through his servant Moses has failed to come true. 57 May Yahweh our Elohim be with us as he was with our ancestors. May he never leave us or abandon us. 58 May he bend our hearts toward him. Then we will follow him and keep his commands, laws, and rules, which he commanded our ancestors to keep. 59 May these words which I have prayed to Yahweh be near Yahweh our Elohim day and night. Then he will give me and his people Israel justice every day as it is needed. 60 In this way all the people of the world will know that Yahweh is Elohim and there is no other god. 61 May your hearts be committed to Yahweh our Elohim. Then you will live by his laws and keep his commands as you have today.”
Solomon Offers Sacrifices(D)
62 Then the king and all Israel offered sacrifices to Yahweh. 63 Solomon sacrificed 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep as fellowship offerings to Yahweh. So the king and all the people of Israel dedicated Yahweh’s temple.
64 On that day the king designated the courtyard in front of Yahweh’s temple as a holy place. He sacrificed the burnt offerings, grain offerings, and the fat from the fellowship offerings because the bronze altar in front of Yahweh was too small to hold all of them.
65 At that time Solomon and all Israel celebrated the Festival of Booths. A large crowd had come from the territory between the border of Hamath and the River of Egypt to be near Yahweh our Elohim for seven days.[d] 66 On the eighth day he dismissed the people. They blessed the king and went to their tents. They rejoiced with cheerful hearts for all the blessings Yahweh had given his servant David and his people Israel.
Footnotes
- 1 Kings 8:6 Or “cherubim.”
- 1 Kings 8:23 Or “covenant.”
- 1 Kings 8:41 The first sentence of verse 42 (in Hebrew) has been placed in verse 41 to express the complex Hebrew paragraph structure more clearly in English.
- 1 Kings 8:65 Greek; Masoretic Text adds “. . . and seven [more] days, fourteen days [total].”
Chinese New Version (CNV). Copyright © 1976, 1992, 1999, 2001, 2005 by Worldwide Bible Society.
The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.
The Names of God Bible (without notes) © 2011 by Baker Publishing Group.