1 Kings 8:12–21

12 Then Solomon said, “The Lord has said that he would dwell in a dark cloud;g 13 I have indeed built a magnificent temple for you, a place for you to dwellh forever.”

14 While the whole assembly of Israel was standing there, the king turned around and blessedi them. 15 Then he said:

“Praise be to the Lord,j the God of Israel, who with his own hand has fulfilled what he promised with his own mouth to my father David. For he said, 16 ‘Since the day I brought my people Israel out of Egypt,k I have not chosen a city in any tribe of Israel to have a temple built so that my Namel might be there, but I have chosenm Davidn to rule my people Israel.’

17 “My father David had it in his hearto to build a templep for the Name of the Lord, the God of Israel. 18 But the Lord said to my father David, ‘You did well to have it in your heart to build a temple for my Name. 19 Nevertheless, youq are not the one to build the temple, but your son, your own flesh and blood—he is the one who will build the temple for my Name.’r

20 “The Lord has kept the promise he made: I have succeededs David my father and now I sit on the throne of Israel, just as the Lord promised, and I have builtt the temple for the Name of the Lord, the God of Israel. 21 I have provided a place there for the ark, in which is the covenant of the Lord that he made with our ancestors when he brought them out of Egypt.”