1 Kings 8

Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto king Solomon in Jerusalem, that they might bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion.

Solomon gathered Israel's elders, tribal leaders, and family heads in Jerusalem. Their mission was simple yet profound - to move the Lord's sacred Ark from the city of David, also known as Zion.

And all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto king Solomon at the feast in the month Ethanim, which is the seventh month.

Every man in Israel gathered around King Solomon during the joyous feast in the month of Ethanim, the seventh month, filled with anticipation and unity.

And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.

The senior leaders of Israel gathered, and the priests, with reverence and awe, lifted the sacred ark.

And they brought up the ark of the LORD, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and all the holy vessels that were in the tabernacle, even those did the priests and the Levites bring up.

With reverence and awe, they carried the Lord's sacred ark, the meeting tent, and all the holy artifacts within it. The priests and Levites, with great care and devotion, led this sacred procession.

And king Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel, that were assembled unto him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen, that could not be told nor numbered for multitude.

King Solomon and the entire gathering of Israel stood before the sacred ark. Their hearts filled with reverence, they offered countless sheep and oxen, a sacrifice so immense it was beyond measure.

And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD unto his place, into the oracle of the house, to the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubims.

The priests reverently carried the Lord's sacred covenant box into its designated spot, the innermost sanctuary of the temple, nestled beneath the protective wings of the angelic cherubim.

For the cherubims spread forth their two wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubims covered the ark and the staves thereof above.

The angelic cherubs unfurled their wings, enveloping the ark in a protective embrace, shielding it and its poles from above.

And they drew out the staves, that the ends of the staves were seen out in the holy place before the oracle, and they were not seen without: and there they are unto this day.

The rods were so long that their ends could be seen from the sacred space before the divine presence, though they were hidden from the outside. And there they remain to this day.

There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.

Inside the ark, there was only the pair of stone tablets that Moses had placed there at Horeb. These tablets were a symbol of the sacred promise God made with the Israelites when they escaped from Egypt.

And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD,

As the priests stepped out from the sacred space, a divine mist enveloped the Lord's house, filling it with awe and reverence.

So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.

The priests were overwhelmed and unable to continue their duties, as the house of the Lord was filled with His magnificent glory.

Then spake Solomon, The LORD said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.

Solomon said, "The Lord has said that he would dwell in the thick darkness."

I have surely built thee an house to dwell in, a settled place for thee to abide in for ever.

I've lovingly created a home for you, a forever place of comfort and peace.

And the king turned his face about, and blessed all the congregation of Israel: (and all the congregation of Israel stood;)

With a heartfelt gaze, the king showered blessings upon the gathered people of Israel, who stood in unity.

And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which spake with his mouth unto David my father, and hath with his hand fulfilled it, saying,

He expressed, "Praise the LORD, the God of Israel, who personally promised my father David and has faithfully kept His word."

Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build an house, that my name might be therein; but I chose David to be over my people Israel.

From the moment I freed my people, Israel, from Egypt, I didn't pick any city from their tribes to establish a home for my name. Instead, I chose David to lead my people, Israel.

And it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.

David, my father, deeply desired to construct a sanctuary in honor of the LORD God of Israel.

And the LORD said unto David my father, Whereas it was in thine heart to build an house unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thine heart.

The LORD warmly expressed to my father David, "Your desire to build a home in my honor was a noble intention, and I appreciate your heartfelt devotion."

Nevertheless thou shalt not build the house; but thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house unto my name.

Even though you won't be the one to build the house, your son, born from your own flesh and blood, will be the one to construct it in my honor.

And the LORD hath performed his word that he spake, and I am risen up in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.

God has kept His promise. Just as He said, I have taken my father David's place and now rule Israel. I've built a home in honor of our Lord, the God of Israel.

And I have set there a place for the ark, wherein is the covenant of the LORD, which he made with our fathers, when he brought them out of the land of Egypt.

I've prepared a special spot for the sacred chest, holding God's promise, the same one He made to our ancestors when He rescued them from Egypt.

And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven:

Solomon stood humbly before God's altar, surrounded by his people. With open arms, he reached out to the heavens above.

And he said, LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart:

He exclaimed, "O Lord, God of Israel, there's no one like you, neither in the heavens nor on earth. You, who faithfully keep your promises and show kindness to those who wholeheartedly follow you."

Who hast kept with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him: thou spakest also with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with thine hand, as it is this day.

You've faithfully kept your promise to my father David, just as you said. You spoke it, and with your own hand, you've made it happen, just as we see today.

Therefore now, LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel; so that thy children take heed to their way, that they walk before me as thou hast walked before me.

Now, LORD God of Israel, remember your promise to my father David. You said, 'There will always be a descendant of yours ruling Israel, if your children follow my ways as you did.'

And now, O God of Israel, let thy word, I pray thee, be verified, which thou spakest unto thy servant David my father.

Now, O God of Israel, please let your promise to my father David be proven true.

But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?

Can God truly live on earth? Even the vast skies and the universe beyond can't hold Him; how could this small home I've built ever be enough?

Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee to day:

Please, Lord my God, pay attention to my prayer and plea. Listen to my cries and prayers that I offer to you today.

That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place.

May your gaze never leave this home, day or night, the place where you've declared your presence. Listen to the prayers your servant sends your way from here.

And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: and hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place: and when thou hearest, forgive.

Listen closely to the prayers of your servant and your people, Israel, as they pray towards this sacred place. From your heavenly home, hear their pleas. And when you do, please forgive them.

If any man trespass against his neighbour, and an oath be laid upon him to cause him to swear, and the oath come before thine altar in this house:

If anyone is accused of wronging their neighbor and is made to swear an oath, and comes to swear it before your altar in this house,

Then hear thou in heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, condemning the wicked, to bring his way upon his head; and justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness.

Listen from above, act and judge us. Punish the wicked for their wrongs, and reward the righteous for their goodness.

When thy people Israel be smitten down before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee, and shall turn again to thee, and confess thy name, and pray, and make supplication unto thee in this house:

When your people, Israel, fall before their foes due to their sins against you, and they return to you, acknowledging your name, praying and pleading to you in this sacred place:

Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which thou gavest unto their fathers.

Listen from your heavenly throne, forgive the sin of your people, Israel. Guide them back to the land you once gifted their ancestors.

When heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou afflictest them:

When the skies close and rain ceases due to their wrongdoings against you; if they plead, acknowledge your name, and abandon their sins when you discipline them:

Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, that thou teach them the good way wherein they should walk, and give rain upon thy land, which thou hast given to thy people for an inheritance.

Listen from your heavenly throne, forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel, guide us on the right path, and bless our land with rain. This land you've gifted us, let it flourish.

If there be in the land famine, if there be pestilence, blasting, mildew, locust, or if there be caterpiller; if their enemy besiege them in the land of their cities; whatsoever plague, whatsoever sickness there be;

If the land suffers from hunger, disease, decay, or is swarmed by locusts and caterpillars; if enemies surround them in their cities; no matter the illness or disaster they face;

What prayer and supplication soever be made by any man, or by all thy people Israel, which shall know every man the plague of his own heart, and spread forth his hands toward this house:

Whenever anyone, or all of your people Israel, recognizes the troubles in their own heart and reaches out to this place in prayer and plea, listen and respond.

Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;)

Listen from your heavenly home, forgive us, act, and reward each person based on their actions, for you alone truly know everyone's heart.

That they may fear thee all the days that they live in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers.

May they respect you every day they live in the land you gifted to our ancestors.

Moreover concerning a stranger, that is not of thy people Israel, but cometh out of a far country for thy name’s sake;

Regarding a foreigner, not from your native Israel, but who travels from a distant land drawn by your reputation;

(For they shall hear of thy great name, and of thy strong hand, and of thy stretched out arm;) when he shall come and pray toward this house;

For they will learn of your mighty reputation, your powerful deeds, and your far-reaching influence. When they come to pray in this sacred place.

Hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for: that all people of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee, as do thy people Israel; and that they may know that this house, which I have builded, is called by thy name.

Listen from your heavenly home and respond to the prayers of the stranger. Let everyone on earth recognize your name and respect you, just like your people, Israel. Let them understand that this house I've built is dedicated to you.

If thy people go out to battle against their enemy, whithersoever thou shalt send them, and shall pray unto the LORD toward the city which thou hast chosen, and toward the house that I have built for thy name:

When your people face their enemies in battle, wherever you guide them, let them pray to you, Lord. Let their prayers be directed towards the city you've chosen and the house built in your honor.

Then hear thou in heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause.

Listen from your heavenly abode to their prayers and pleas, and stand up for them.

If they sin against thee, (for there is no man that sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captives unto the land of the enemy, far or near;

If they sin against you (for there is no one who does not sin), and you become angry with them and hand them over to their enemies, who take them as prisoners to distant or nearby lands;

Yet if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they were carried captives, and repent, and make supplication unto thee in the land of them that carried them captives, saying, We have sinned, and have done perversely, we have committed wickedness;

If they reflect on their actions in the land where they were taken as captives, feel remorse, and sincerely ask for your forgiveness, admitting, "We have done wrong, acted unjustly, and committed evil deeds;"

And so return unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, which led them away captive, and pray unto thee toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name:

With deep longing and complete dedication, they turn back to you, even in the lands of their captors who enslaved them. They pray to you, yearning for their homeland, the city you chose, and the home I built in your honor.

Then hear thou their prayer and their supplication in heaven thy dwelling place, and maintain their cause,

Listen to their prayers and pleas from your heavenly home, and stand up for them.

And forgive thy people that have sinned against thee, and all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against thee, and give them compassion before them who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them:

Please forgive your people who have sinned against you, and all the wrongs they have done against you. Fill their captors' hearts with kindness, so they may show them mercy.

For they be thy people, and thine inheritance, which thou broughtest forth out of Egypt, from the midst of the furnace of iron:

These are your people, your cherished ones, whom you rescued from the harsh trials of Egypt, from the iron furnace of oppression.

That thine eyes may be open unto the supplication of thy servant, and unto the supplication of thy people Israel, to hearken unto them in all that they call for unto thee.

May your eyes be open to the prayers of your servant and your people, Israel. Listen to them whenever they call out to you.

For thou didst separate them from among all the people of the earth, to be thine inheritance, as thou spakest by the hand of Moses thy servant, when thou broughtest our fathers out of Egypt, O LORD God.

You chose them, Lord, from all the people on earth to be your own. As Moses told us, you led our ancestors out of Egypt, making them your special possession.

And it was so, that when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven.

After Solomon finished his heartfelt prayer to the LORD, he stood up from the altar, rising from his knees where he had been kneeling with his hands raised to the heavens.

And he stood, and blessed all the congregation of Israel with a loud voice, saying,

With a heart full of love and a voice filled with strength, he stood tall. He showered blessings upon the gathered people of Israel, saying,

Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant.

Praise the Lord, who has given His people, Israel, peace as He promised. Not a single word of His good promise, made through His servant Moses, has been unfulfilled.

The LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor forsake us:

May our God be ever present with us, just as He was with our ancestors. May He never abandon or desert us.

That he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers.

May He guide our hearts towards Him, inspiring us to follow His path, obey His rules, and uphold His justice, as He instructed our ancestors.

And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night, that he maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel at all times, as the matter shall require:

May my heartfelt prayers reach God, day and night. May He always support and protect His servant and His people, Israel, as needed.

That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else.

May everyone on this planet realize that the LORD is the only true God, and there is no other.

Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.

Always keep your heart pure and true to God. Follow His rules and obey His commands, just as you do today.

And the king, and all Israel with him, offered sacrifice before the LORD.

The king, along with all of Israel, emotionally and reverently presented their offerings to the LORD.

And Solomon offered a sacrifice of peace offerings, which he offered unto the LORD, two and twenty thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the children of Israel dedicated the house of the LORD.

With a heart full of reverence, Solomon presented a peaceful offering to the LORD - a staggering 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep. Together, the king and the people of Israel, with joy and solemnity, dedicated their sacred home to the LORD.

The same day did the king hallow the middle of the court that was before the house of the LORD: for there he offered burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings: because the brasen altar that was before the LORD was too little to receive the burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings.

On that day, the king sanctified the middle of the courtyard in front of God's house. He made burnt offerings, grain offerings, and offered the fat of the peace offerings there, because the bronze altar before God was too small to hold them all.

And at that time Solomon held a feast, and all Israel with him, a great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt, before the LORD our God, seven days and seven days, even fourteen days.

During that period, Solomon and all of Israel celebrated a grand feast. People from every corner, from Hamath to the river of Egypt, gathered to honor the LORD our God. They reveled joyously in His presence, not for one week, but for two full weeks.

On the eighth day he sent the people away: and they blessed the king, and went unto their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness that the LORD had done for David his servant, and for Israel his people.

On the eighth day, the people departed, showering blessings on their king. Their hearts were filled with joy and gratitude for all the blessings God had bestowed upon David, his humble servant, and upon the people of Israel.