Solomon Blesses the LORD

(1 Kings 8:12–21)

Then Solomon declared:

“ The LORD 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 stood [there], the king turned around and blessed [them] all 4 and said:

“ Blessed [be] the LORD, the God of Israel, [who] has fulfilled with His own hand what He spoke with His mouth to my father David, saying, 5 ‘Since the day I brought My people out of the land of Egypt, I have not chosen a city from any tribe of Israel [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 for My Name to be there, and I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’

7 

Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a house for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel. 8 But the LORD said to my father David,‘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 has fulfilled the word that He spoke. I have succeeded my father David, and I sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised. I have built the house for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel. 11 And there I have placed the ark, which contains the covenant of the LORD that He made with the children of Israel.”

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