SOLOMON’S DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLE

6 Then Solomon said:m

The Lord said he would dwell in total darkness,n

2 but I have built an exalted temple for you,

a place for your dwelling forever.

3 Then the king turned and blessed the entire congregation of Israel while they were standing. 4 He said:

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel!

He spoke directly to my father David,

and he has fulfilled the promise

by his power.

He said,

5 “Since the day I brought my people Israel

out of the land of Egypt,o

I have not chosen a city to build a temple in

among any of the tribes of Israel,

so that my name would be there,

and I have not chosen a man

to be ruler over my people Israel.

6 But I have chosen Jerusalem

so that my name will be there,p

and I have chosen David

to be over my people Israel.”q