Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication(A)

22 Then Solomon stood before (B)the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and (C)spread out his hands toward heaven; 23 and he said: “Lord God of Israel, (D)there is no God in heaven above or on earth below like You, (E)who keep Your covenant and mercy with Your servants who (F)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, (G)‘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 (H)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 (I)will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the (J)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 [a]temple night and day, toward the place of which You said, (K)‘My name shall be (L)there,’ that You may hear the prayer which Your servant makes (M)toward this place. 30 (N)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.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Kings 8:29 Lit. house

Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication(A)

22 Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands(B) toward heaven 23 and said:

Lord, the God of Israel, there is no God like(C) you in heaven above or on earth below—you who keep your covenant of love(D) with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way. 24 You have kept your promise to your servant David my father; with your mouth you have promised and with your hand you have fulfilled it—as it is today.

25 “Now Lord, the God of Israel, keep for your servant David my father the promises(E) you made to him when you said, ‘You shall never fail to have a successor to sit before me on the throne of Israel, if only your descendants are careful in all they do to walk before me faithfully as you have done.’ 26 And now, God of Israel, let your word that you promised(F) your servant David my father come true.

27 “But will God really dwell(G) on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven,(H) cannot contain(I) you. How much less this temple I have built! 28 Yet give attention to your servant’s prayer and his plea for mercy, Lord my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day. 29 May your eyes be open(J) toward(K) this temple night and day, this place of which you said, ‘My Name(L) shall be there,’ so that you will hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place. 30 Hear the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray(M) toward this place. Hear(N) from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.(O)

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52 (A)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, (B)as You spoke by Your servant Moses, when You brought our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord God.”

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52 “May your eyes be open(A) to your servant’s plea and to the plea of your people Israel, and may you listen to them whenever they cry out to you.(B) 53 For you singled them out from all the nations of the world to be your own inheritance,(C) just as you declared through your servant Moses when you, Sovereign Lord, brought our ancestors out of Egypt.”

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