2 Chronicles 6:1-20 ▼

1 Then Solomon (peace) declared: “The LORD {YHWH} has said that He would dwell in the thick cloud.

2 But I have built You an exalted house, a place for You to dwell forever.”

3 And as the whole assembly of Israel (he wrestles with God) stood there, the king turned around and blessed them all

4 and said: “Blessed be the LORD, the God {YHWH Elohe} of Israel (he wrestles with God), who has fulfilled with His own hand what He spoke with His mouth to my father David (beloved), saying,

5 ‘Since the day I brought My people out of the land of Egypt (land of bondage), I have not chosen a city from any tribe of Israel (he wrestles with God) in which to build a house so that My Name would be there, nor have I chosen anyone to be ruler over My people Israel.

6 But now I have chosen Jerusalem (city of peace) for My Name to be there, and I have chosen David (beloved) to be over My people Israel (he wrestles with God).’

7 Now it was in the heart of my father David (beloved) to build a house for the Name of the LORD, the God {YHWH Elohe} of Israel (he wrestles with God).

8 But the LORD {YHWH} said to my father David (beloved), ‘Since it was in your heart to build a house for My Name, you have done well to have this in your heart.

9 Nevertheless, you are not the one to build it; but your son, your own offspring, will build the house for My Name.’

10 Now the LORD {YHWH} has fulfilled the word that He spoke. I have succeeded my father David (beloved), and I sit on the throne of Israel (he wrestles with God), as the LORD promised. I have built the house for the Name of the LORD, the God {Elohe} of Israel.

11 And there I have placed the ark, which contains the covenant of the LORD {YHWH} that He made with the children of Israel (he wrestles with God).”

12 Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD {YHWH} in front of the whole assembly of Israel (he wrestles with God) and spread out his hands.

13 Now Solomon (peace) had made a bronze platform five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high <7.5 ft x 7.5 ft x 4.5 ft / 2.3 m x 2.3 m x 1.4 m> and had placed it in the middle of the courtyard. He stood on it, knelt down before the whole assembly of Israel (he wrestles with God), spread out his hands toward heaven,

14 and said: “O LORD, God {YHWH Elohe} of Israel (he wrestles with God), there is no God like You in heaven or on earth, keeping Your covenant of loving devotion with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts.

15 You have kept Your promise to Your servant, my father David (beloved). What You spoke with Your mouth You have fulfilled with Your hand this day.

16 Therefore now, O LORD, God {YHWH Elohe} of Israel (he wrestles with God), keep for Your servant, my father David (beloved), what You promised when You said: ‘You will never fail to have a man to sit before Me on the throne of Israel, if only your descendants guard their way to walk in My law as you have walked before Me.’

17 And now, O LORD, God {YHWH Elohe} of Israel (he wrestles with God), please confirm what You promised to Your servant David (beloved).

18 But will God {Elohim} indeed dwell with man upon the earth? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built.

19 Yet regard the prayer and plea of Your servant, O LORD my God {YHWH Elohay}, so that You may hear the cry and the prayer that Your servant is praying before You.

20 May Your eyes be open toward this temple day and night, toward the place where You said You would put Your Name, so that You may hear the prayer that Your servant prays toward this place.