The Temple Is Dedicated

When the work on the temple was finished, Solomon gathered the elders, tribal leaders, and family heads of Israel in Jerusalem. They came at the feast in the seventh month to bring the ark of the Lord's covenant up from David's city, Zion. They also brought up the Tent of Meeting and the holy things from it.

Solomon and the assembled people stood before the ark and offered so many sheep and cattle that they could not be counted. The priests carried the ark into the inner sanctuary, the most holy place, under the wings of the cherubim. In the ark were the two stone tablets Moses had placed there at Horeb, the sign of God's covenant with Israel.

When the priests came out, a cloud filled the Lord's house. Chronicles adds that singers and trumpeters praised the Lord together, and then the cloud filled the house. The glory of the Lord was so strong that the priests could not stand to continue their service.

Solomon said that the Lord had spoken of dwelling in thick darkness, and that he had built a house for him. Then he blessed the assembly and praised the Lord for keeping his promise to David. David had wanted to build this house, but God said David's own son would build it. Solomon said that promise had now been fulfilled, and that he had set a place there for the ark of the covenant.

After Solomon finished praying, Kings says he rose, stood, and blessed the people. He praised the Lord for keeping his promises and called Israel to walk in God's ways. Chronicles adds that fire came down from heaven, and the people bowed low and thanked the Lord.

Solomon and all Israel offered great sacrifices, made the middle of the court holy because the bronze altar was too small, and kept the celebration for seven days and seven more days. The people went home joyful for the Lord's goodness to David, to Solomon, and to Israel.