Solomon spoke to all Israel—to the commanders of regiments and battalions, judges, every prince, and the heads of Israel’s families.

Solomon went from the tent of meeting at the place of worship in Gibeon to Jerusalem. And he ruled Israel.

I want to build the temple for the name of Yahweh my Elohim. I want to dedicate it to him, burn sweet-smelling incense in his presence, and have rows of bread there continually. I want to sacrifice burnt offerings every morning and evening, on weekly worship days, New Moon Festivals, and during the annual festivals appointed by Yahweh our Elohim. (These festivals are always to be celebrated by Israel.)

Huram added, “May Yahweh Elohim of Israel be praised. He made the heavens and the earth and has given King David a wise son who has insight and intelligence and can build Yahweh’s temple and a royal palace.

Solomon counted all the men who were foreigners in the land of Israel, as his father David had counted them. Solomon counted 153,600 foreigners.

The Lord Comes to His Temple

Then Solomon assembled the respected leaders of Israel, all the heads of the tribes, and the leaders of the Israelite families. They came to Jerusalem to take the ark of Yahweh’s promise from the City of David (that is, Zion).

All the men of Israel gathered around the king at the Festival of Booths in the seventh month.

When all the leaders of Israel had arrived, the Levites picked up the ark.

while King Solomon and the whole assembly from Israel were offering countless sheep and cattle sacrifices in front of the ark.

There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets Moses placed there at Horeb, where Yahweh made a promise to the Israelites after they left Egypt.

Then the king turned around and blessed the whole assembly from Israel while they were standing.

“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,

‘Ever since I brought my people Israel out of Egypt, I didn’t choose any city from the tribes of Israel as a place to build a temple for my name. And I didn’t choose any man to be prince over my people Israel.

But now I’ve chosen Jerusalem to be a place for my name; I’ve chosen David to rule my people Israel.’

“My father David had his heart set on building a temple for the name of Yahweh Elohim of Israel.

Yahweh has kept the promise he made. I’ve 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.

I’ve put the ark which contains Yahweh’s promise to Israel there.”

Solomon’s Prayer

In the presence of the entire assembly of Israel, Solomon stood in front of Yahweh’s altar. He stretched out his hands to pray.

He said, “Yahweh Elohim of Israel, there is no god like you in heaven or on earth. You keep your promise of mercy to your servants, who obey you wholeheartedly.

“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.’

“So now, Yahweh Elohim of Israel, may the promise you made to David, your servant, come true.

Hear the plea for mercy that your people Israel and I pray toward this place. Hear us in heaven, the place where you live. Hear and forgive.

“An enemy may defeat your people Israel because they have sinned against you. But when your people turn, praise your name, pray, and plead with you in this temple,

then hear them in heaven, forgive the sins of your people Israel, and bring them back to the land that you gave to them and their ancestors.

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.