¹¹ The guards, each with weapon in hand, stationed themselves around the king—near the altar and the temple, from the south side to the north side of the temple.

⁵¹ from the blood of Abel^(A) to the blood of Zechariah,^(B) who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be held responsible for it all.^(C)

³⁵ And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel^(A) to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah,^(B) whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.^(C)

¹⁶ He then brought me into the inner court^(A) of the house of the Lord, and there at the entrance to the temple, between the portico and the altar,^(B) were about twenty-five men. With their backs toward the temple of the Lord and their faces toward the east, they were bowing down to the sun^(C) in the east.^(D)

Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication^(A)(B)

¹² Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in front of the whole assembly of Israel and spread out his hands.

¹⁰ Then he gave the commanders the spears and shields^(A) that had belonged to King David and that were in the temple of the Lord.

⁸ Station yourselves around the king, each of you with weapon in hand. Anyone who approaches your ranks^[a] is to be put to death. Stay close to the king wherever he goes.”

⁶ “Place the altar^(A) of burnt offering in front of the entrance to the tabernacle, the tent of meeting;