2 Chronicles 6:1-21 ▼

1 Then Solomon said, |The LORD has said that he lives shrouded in darkness.

2 Now I have constructed a magnificent temple dedicated to you that will serve as a place for you to inhabit forever.|

3 Then the king turned to face the entire congregation of Israel while the congregation of Israel remained standing.

4 Then Solomon prayed: |Blessed is the LORD God of Israel, who made a commitment to my father David and then personally fulfilled what he had promised when he said:

5 From the day I brought out my people from the land of Egypt I never chose a city from all the tribes of Israel to build a temple where my name might reside. And I never chose any man to become Commander-in-Chief over my people Israel.

6 But I have chosen Jerusalem, where my name will reside. And I have chosen David to be over my people Israel.'

7 |My father David wanted to build a temple for the name of the LORD God of Israel.

8 The LORD told my father David: 'Therefore, since you determined to build a temple for my name, you acted well, because it was your choice to do so.

9 Nevertheless, you are not to build the Temple, but your son who will be born to you is to build a temple for my name.'

10 |The LORD has brought to fulfillment what he promised, and now here I stand, having succeeded my father David to sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised. I have built the Temple for the name of the Lord GOD of Israel.

11 I have placed in it the ark in which the covenant that the LORD made with the Israelis is stored.|

12 Then Solomon took his place in front of the LORD's altar in the presence of the entire congregation of Israel and spread out his hands.

13 Solomon had a bronze platform constructed five cubits square and three cubits high. He had it erected in the middle of the courtyard, and stood on it. Then he knelt down on his knees in front of the entire congregation of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven,

14 and said: |LORD God of Israel, there is no one like you, God of heaven and earth, who watches over his covenant, showing gracious love to your servants who live their lives in your presence with all their hearts.

15 It is you, LORD God, who has kept your promise to my father, your servant David, that you made to him. Indeed, you made a commitment to my father David and then personally fulfilled what you had promised today.

16 |Now therefore, LORD God of Israel, keep your promise that you made to my father, your servant David, when you said, 'You are to not lack a man to sit on the throne of Israel, if only your descendants will watch their lives, to live according to my Law, just as you have lived in my presence.'

17 |Now therefore, LORD God of Israel, may your promise that you made to your servant David be fulfilled...

18 and yet, will God truly reside on earth with human beings? Look! Neither the sky nor the highest heaven can contain you! How much less this Temple that I have built!

19 Pay attention to the prayer of your servant and to his request, LORD my God, and listen to the cry and prayer that your servant is praying in your presence.

20 Let your eyes always look toward this Temple day and night, toward the location where you have said you would place your name. Listen to the prayer that your servant prays in this direction.

21 Listen to the requests from your servant and from your people Israel as they pray in this direction, and listen from the place where you reside—from heaven!—then hear and forgive.