2 Chronicles 6:1-13 ▼

1 Then Solomon said: The LORD said he would dwell in total darkness,

2 but I have built an exalted temple for you, a place for your dwelling forever.

3 Then the king turned and blessed the entire congregation of Israel while they were standing.

4 He said: Blessed be the LORD God of Israel! He spoke directly to my father David, and he has fulfilled the promise by his power. He said,

5 “Since the day I brought my people Israel out of the land of Egypt, I have not chosen a city to build a temple in among any of the tribes of Israel, so that my name would be there, and I have not chosen a man to be ruler over my people Israel.

6 But I have chosen Jerusalem so that my name will be there, and I have chosen David to be over my people Israel.”

7 My father David had his heart set on building a temple for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel.

8 However, the LORD said to my father David, “Since it was your desire to build a temple for my name, you have done well to have this desire.

9 Yet, you are not the one to build the temple, but your son, your own offspring, will build the temple for my name.”

10 So the LORD has fulfilled what he promised. I have taken the place of my father David and I sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised. I have built the temple for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel.

11 I have put the ark there, where the LORD’s covenant is that he made with the Israelites.

12 Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the entire congregation of Israel and spread out his hands.

13 For Solomon had made a bronze platform 7 1 /2 feet long, 7 1 /2 feet wide, and 4 1 /2 feet high and put it in the court. He stood on it, knelt down in front of the entire congregation of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven.