Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

Solomon gathered all the leaders of Israel, including the heads of the tribes and the chief representatives of each family group. The men of Israel assembled themselves before King Solomon at the festival in the seventh month, known as Ethanim.

The priests took up the ark, and they brought it along with the tabernacle and its holy vessels to the designated place in Jerusalem's inner sanctuary under the outstretched wings of the cherubim. The priests carefully placed the staves beside the ark, making sure everything was secure. Inside the ark were the two stone tablets that Moses had placed there at Horeb when God made a covenant with Israel after they left Egypt.

When the priests emerged from the holy place, the cloud filled the Lord's house, and it filled the entire structure. This showed that God was pleased to dwell among them. Solomon remembered that God said he would be present even in thick darkness.

The king expressed his gratitude by turning to face all of Israel and blessing them. He acknowledged that God had spoken with David his father and fulfilled His promise to establish a house where God's name would be honored. The Lord chose David, not a city among the tribes of Israel, to lead the people.

David had it in his heart to build a temple for God, but instead, God told him that Solomon, his son, would do this. And now, as promised, Solomon stood before the altar, expressing thanksgiving and humility. He recognized God's covenant with their ancestors when he brought them out of Egypt.

Solomon then offered prayers on behalf of himself and the people, asking God to keep His promises and remember the sacrifices they made for Him. He asked God to hear their prayers and maintain justice in heaven. If Israel sinned against God, Solomon prayed that they would return to Him, confessing their sins and seeking forgiveness.

Solomon also prayed for strangers who came from distant lands seeking God's name, asking Him to hear their prayers and supplications. When Israel went into battle, he asked God to uphold their cause and forgive them if they sinned against Him. Solomon acknowledged that no one is perfect and sometimes acted wickedly, but when they repented, He should be merciful.

He prayed for forgiveness of their sins and restoration of their inheritance in the promised land. Solomon asked God to listen to their supplications and maintain justice as Moses had commanded them. When he finished praying, he stood up from kneeling before the altar with his hands still lifted towards heaven.

With a loud voice, Solomon blessed all the assembly of Israel, saying that the Lord had given rest to His people according to all He promised through Moses. The Lord should be present among them as He was with their ancestors and never abandon or forsake them. Solomon asked God to incline their hearts to follow Him in all ways and keep His commandments.

He prayed for these words to be near God's heart, so He would uphold the cause of his servant and the people Israel at all times. Solomon asked everyone on earth to know that the Lord is God and there is no one else. He encouraged them to completely devote their hearts to the Lord, following His laws and keeping His commands as they were doing.

The king and all Israel offered sacrifices before the Lord, including 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep for peace offerings. Solomon consecrated a central area in front of the Lord's temple for burnt offerings and meat offerings because the bronze altar was too small to hold everything.

Solomon then held a grand festival that lasted fourteen days, with all Israel joining him from Hamath to the River of Egypt before the Lord our God. On the eighth day, he sent the people away; they blessed the king and returned to their tents with joyful hearts, grateful for all the good things the Lord had done for David his servant and for Israel His people.