1 Reyes 8
La Biblia de las Américas
Traslado del arca al templo
8 (A)Entonces Salomón reunió a los ancianos de Israel, a todos los jefes de las tribus y a los principales de las casas paternas[a](B) de los hijos de Israel ante él[b] en Jerusalén, para hacer subir el arca del pacto del Señor de la ciudad de David(C), la cual es Sión(D). 2 Y se reunieron ante el rey Salomón todos los hombres de Israel en la fiesta, en el mes de Etanim, que es el mes séptimo(E). 3 Cuando llegaron todos los ancianos de Israel, los sacerdotes alzaron el arca(F). 4 Subieron el arca del Señor, la tienda de reunión(G) y todos los utensilios sagrados que estaban en la tienda; los sacerdotes y los levitas los subieron. 5 Y el rey Salomón y toda la congregación de Israel que estaba reunida ante él, estaban con él delante del arca, sacrificando tantas ovejas y bueyes(H) que no se podían contar ni numerar[c]. 6 Entonces los sacerdotes trajeron el arca(I) del pacto del Señor a su lugar, al santuario interior de la casa(J), al lugar santísimo, bajo las alas de los querubines(K). 7 Porque los querubines extendían las alas sobre el lugar del arca, y los querubines cubrían el arca y sus barras por encima. 8 Pero las barras(L) eran tan largas que los extremos de las barras se podían ver desde el lugar santo, que estaba delante del santuario interior, mas no se podían ver desde afuera; y allí están hasta hoy. 9 En el arca no había más que las dos tablas de piedra que Moisés puso allí en Horeb, donde el Señor hizo pacto(M) con los hijos de Israel cuando salieron de la tierra de Egipto. 10 (N)Y sucedió que cuando los sacerdotes salieron del lugar santo, la nube llenó la casa del Señor 11 y los sacerdotes no pudieron quedarse a ministrar a causa de la nube, porque la gloria del Señor llenaba la casa del Señor.
12 (O)Entonces Salomón dijo:
El Señor ha dicho que Él moraría en la densa nube(P).
13 Ciertamente yo te he edificado una casa(Q) majestuosa,
un lugar para tu morada para siempre(R).
14 Después el rey se volvió[d] y bendijo a toda la asamblea de Israel, mientras toda la asamblea de Israel estaba de pie(S), 15 y dijo: Bendito sea el Señor, Dios de Israel(T), que habló por su boca a mi padre David(U) y por su mano lo ha cumplido, cuando dijo: 16 «Desde el día en que saqué a mi pueblo Israel de Egipto, no escogí ninguna ciudad de entre todas las tribus de Israel en la cual edificar una casa para que mi nombre estuviera allí(V), mas escogí a David para que estuviera sobre mi pueblo Israel(W)». 17 Y mi padre David tuvo en su[e] corazón edificar una casa al nombre del Señor(X), Dios de Israel. 18 Pero el Señor dijo a mi padre David: «Por cuanto tuviste en[f] tu corazón edificar una casa a mi nombre, bien hiciste en desearlo en[g] tu corazón. 19 Sin embargo, tú no edificarás la casa, sino que tu hijo que te nacerá[h], él edificará la casa a mi nombre(Y)». 20 Ahora el Señor ha cumplido la palabra que había dicho, pues yo me he levantado en lugar de mi padre David y me he sentado en el trono de Israel, como el Señor prometió[i](Z), y he edificado la casa al nombre del Señor, Dios de Israel. 21 Y he puesto allí un lugar para el arca, en la cual está el pacto del Señor que Él hizo con nuestros padres cuando los trajo de la tierra de Egipto(AA).
Oración de dedicación del templo
22 Entonces Salomón se puso delante del altar del Señor en presencia de toda la asamblea de Israel y extendió las manos[j] al cielo(AB). 23 Y dijo: Oh Señor, Dios de Israel, no hay Dios como tú(AC) ni arriba en los cielos ni abajo en la tierra, que guardas el pacto y muestras misericordia(AD) a tus siervos que andan delante de ti con todo su corazón, 24 que has cumplido[k] con tu siervo David mi padre lo que le prometiste[l]; ciertamente has hablado con tu boca y lo has cumplido con tu mano como sucede hoy. 25 Ahora pues, oh Señor, Dios de Israel, cumple[m] con tu siervo David mi padre lo que le prometiste[n], diciendo: «No te faltará quien[o] se siente en el trono de Israel, con tal que tus hijos guarden su camino para andar delante de mí como tú has andado(AE) delante de mí». 26 Ahora pues, oh Dios de Israel, te ruego que se cumpla tu palabra que hablaste a tu siervo(AF), mi padre David.
27 Pero, ¿morará verdaderamente Dios sobre la tierra? He aquí, los cielos y los cielos de los cielos no te pueden contener, cuánto menos esta casa que yo he edificado(AG). 28 No obstante, atiende a la oración de tu siervo y a su súplica, oh Señor Dios mío, para que oigas el clamor y la oración que tu siervo hace[p] hoy delante de ti(AH); 29 que tus ojos estén abiertos noche y día hacia esta casa, hacia el lugar del cual has dicho: «Mi nombre estará allí(AI)», para que oigas la oración que tu siervo haga[q] hacia este lugar(AJ). 30 Y escucha la súplica de tu siervo(AK) y de tu pueblo Israel cuando oren(AL) hacia este lugar; escucha tú en el lugar de tu morada, en los cielos; escucha y perdona(AM).
31 Si alguno peca contra su prójimo(AN) y se le exige juramento[r], y viene y jura delante de tu altar en esta casa, 32 escucha tú desde los cielos y obra y juzga a tus siervos, condenando al impío haciendo recaer su conducta sobre su cabeza, y justificando al justo dándole conforme a su justicia(AO).
33 Cuando tu pueblo Israel sea derrotado[s] delante de un enemigo por haber pecado contra ti(AP), si se vuelven a ti y confiesan tu nombre, y oran y te hacen súplica(AQ) en esta casa, 34 escucha tú desde los cielos y perdona el pecado de tu pueblo Israel, y hazlos volver a la tierra que diste a sus padres.
35 Cuando los cielos estén cerrados y no haya lluvia por haber ellos pecado contra ti, y oren hacia este lugar y confiesen tu nombre, y se vuelvan de su pecado cuando tú los aflijas(AR), 36 escucha tú desde los cielos y perdona el pecado de tus siervos y de tu pueblo Israel; sí, enséñales el buen camino por el que deben andar(AS). Y envía lluvia sobre tu tierra(AT), la que diste a tu pueblo por heredad.
37 Si hay hambre en la tierra, si hay pestilencia, si hay tizón o añublo, langosta o saltamontes, si su enemigo los sitia en la tierra de sus ciudades[t], cualquier plaga, cualquier enfermedad que haya(AU), 38 toda oración o toda súplica que sea hecha por cualquier hombre o por todo tu pueblo Israel, conociendo[u] cada cual la aflicción[v] de su corazón, y extendiendo sus manos[w] hacia esta casa, 39 escucha tú desde los cielos, el lugar de tu morada, y perdona, actúa y da a cada uno conforme a todos sus caminos, ya que conoces su corazón(AV) (porque solo tú conoces el corazón de todos los hijos de los hombres(AW)), 40 para que te teman[x] todos los días que vivan sobre la faz de la tierra que diste a nuestros padres.
41 También en cuanto al extranjero que no es de tu pueblo Israel, cuando venga de una tierra lejana a causa de tu nombre 42 (porque oirán de tu gran nombre, de tu mano poderosa(AX) y de tu brazo extendido), y venga a orar a esta casa, 43 escucha tú desde los cielos, el lugar de tu morada, y haz conforme a todo lo que el extranjero te pida, para que todos los pueblos de la tierra conozcan tu nombre(AY) para que te teman[y], como te teme tu pueblo Israel, y para que sepan que tu nombre es invocado sobre esta casa que he edificado.
44 Cuando tu pueblo salga a la batalla contra su enemigo, por cualquier camino que tú los envíes, y oren al Señor(AZ) vueltos hacia[z] la ciudad que tú has escogido y hacia la casa que he edificado a tu nombre, 45 escucha desde los cielos su oración y su súplica, y hazles justicia.
46 Cuando pequen contra ti (pues no hay hombre que no peque(BA)) y estés airado contra ellos, y los entregues delante del enemigo, y estos[aa] los lleven cautivos a la tierra del enemigo(BB), lejos o cerca, 47 si recapacitan[ab] en la tierra adonde hayan sido llevados cautivos, y se arrepienten y te hacen súplica en la tierra de los que los llevaron cautivos(BC), diciendo: «Hemos pecado y hemos cometido iniquidad, hemos obrado perversamente(BD)», 48 si se vuelven a ti con todo su corazón y con toda su alma en la tierra de sus enemigos que los llevaron cautivos(BE), y oran a ti vueltos hacia[ac] la tierra que diste a sus padres, hacia la ciudad que has escogido, y hacia la casa que he edificado a tu nombre(BF), 49 entonces escucha tú desde los cielos, el lugar de tu morada, su oración y su súplica y hazles justicia, 50 y perdona a tu pueblo que ha pecado contra ti, todas las[ad] transgresiones que hayan cometido contra ti, y hazlos objeto de compasión ante los que los llevaron cautivos, para que tengan compasión de ellos(BG) 51 (porque ellos son tu pueblo y tu heredad que sacaste de Egipto(BH), de en medio del horno de hierro(BI)). 52 Que tus ojos estén abiertos a la súplica de tu siervo(BJ) y a la súplica de tu pueblo Israel, para escucharlos siempre que te invoquen. 53 Pues tú los has separado de entre todos los pueblos de la tierra como tu heredad, como lo dijiste por medio[ae] de tu siervo Moisés, cuando sacaste a nuestros padres de Egipto, oh Señor Dios[af](BK).
54 Y sucedió que cuando Salomón terminó de decir[ag] toda esta oración y súplica al Señor(BL), se levantó de delante del altar del Señor, de estar de[ah] rodillas con sus manos[ai] extendidas hacia el cielo(BM). 55 Y se puso de pie y bendijo a toda la asamblea de Israel(BN) en alta voz, diciendo: 56 Bendito sea el Señor, que ha dado reposo(BO) a su pueblo Israel, conforme a todo lo que prometió[aj]; ninguna palabra ha fallado[ak] de toda su buena promesa[al] que hizo[am](BP) por medio[an] de su siervo Moisés. 57 Que el Señor nuestro Dios esté con nosotros, como estuvo con nuestros padres; que no nos deje ni nos abandone(BQ), 58 para que incline nuestro corazón hacia Él(BR), para que andemos en todos sus caminos y para que guardemos sus mandamientos, sus estatutos y sus preceptos que ordenó a nuestros padres. 59 Y que estas palabras mías, con las que he suplicado delante del Señor, estén cerca del Señor nuestro Dios día y noche, para que Él haga justicia a su siervo y justicia a su pueblo Israel, según las necesidades de cada día[ao], 60 a fin de que todos los pueblos de la tierra sepan que el Señor es Dios(BS); no hay otro(BT). 61 Estén, pues, vuestros corazones enteramente dedicados al[ap] Señor nuestro Dios(BU), para que andemos en sus estatutos y guardemos sus mandamientos, como en este día.
62 Y el rey y todo Israel con él ofrecieron sacrificios delante del Señor(BV). 63 Y Salomón ofreció como sacrificio de las ofrendas de paz, que él ofreció al Señor, veintidós mil bueyes y ciento veinte mil ovejas. Así dedicaron la casa del Señor el rey y todos los hijos de Israel(BW). 64 Aquel día el rey consagró la parte central del atrio que estaba delante de la casa del Señor, pues allí ofreció[aq] el holocausto, la ofrenda de cereal y la grosura de las ofrendas de paz; porque el altar de bronce(BX) que estaba delante del Señor era demasiado pequeño para contener el holocausto, la ofrenda de cereal y la grosura de las ofrendas de paz. 65 Así Salomón celebró la fiesta en aquella ocasión, y todo Israel con él(BY), una gran asamblea desde la entrada de Hamat(BZ) hasta el torrente de Egipto(CA), delante del Señor nuestro Dios, por siete días y siete días más, o sea catorce días. 66 Al octavo día despidió al pueblo. Ellos bendijeron al rey, y se fueron a sus tiendas gozosos y alegres de corazón por todo el bien que el Señor había mostrado[ar] a su siervo David y a su pueblo Israel.
Footnotes
- 1 Reyes 8:1 Lit., principales de los padres
- 1 Reyes 8:1 Lit., ante el rey Salomón
- 1 Reyes 8:5 Lit., ni numerar por muchos
- 1 Reyes 8:14 Lit., volvió su rostro
- 1 Reyes 8:17 Lit., con el
- 1 Reyes 8:18 Lit., estuvo con
- 1 Reyes 8:18 Lit., que estuvo con
- 1 Reyes 8:19 Lit., saldrá de tus lomos
- 1 Reyes 8:20 Lit., habló
- 1 Reyes 8:22 Lit., palmas
- 1 Reyes 8:24 Lit., guardado
- 1 Reyes 8:24 Lit., hablaste
- 1 Reyes 8:25 Lit., guarda
- 1 Reyes 8:25 Lit., hablaste
- 1 Reyes 8:25 Lit., No te será cortado hombre de delante de mí que
- 1 Reyes 8:28 Lit., ora
- 1 Reyes 8:29 Lit., ore
- 1 Reyes 8:31 Lit., se le impone juramento para hacerle jurar
- 1 Reyes 8:33 Lit., herido
- 1 Reyes 8:37 Lit., puertas
- 1 Reyes 8:38 Lit., que reconozca
- 1 Reyes 8:38 Lit., plaga
- 1 Reyes 8:38 Lit., palmas
- 1 Reyes 8:40 O, reverencien
- 1 Reyes 8:43 O, reverencien
- 1 Reyes 8:44 Lit., en dirección a
- 1 Reyes 8:46 Lit., sus captores
- 1 Reyes 8:47 Lit., vuelven a su corazón
- 1 Reyes 8:48 Lit., en dirección a
- 1 Reyes 8:50 Lit., sus
- 1 Reyes 8:53 Lit., mano
- 1 Reyes 8:53 Heb., YHWH, generalmente traducido Señor
- 1 Reyes 8:54 Lit., orar
- 1 Reyes 8:54 Lit., postrado sobre sus
- 1 Reyes 8:54 Lit., palmas
- 1 Reyes 8:56 Lit., habló
- 1 Reyes 8:56 Lit., caído
- 1 Reyes 8:56 Lit., palabra
- 1 Reyes 8:56 Lit., habló
- 1 Reyes 8:56 Lit., mano
- 1 Reyes 8:59 Lit., el asunto de un día en su día
- 1 Reyes 8:61 Lit., completos con el
- 1 Reyes 8:64 Lit., había hecho
- 1 Reyes 8:66 Lit., hecho
1 Kings 8
King James Version
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.
2 And all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto king Solomon at the feast in the month Ethanim, which is the seventh month.
3 And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.
4 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.
5 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.
6 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.
7 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.
8 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.
9 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.
10 And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the Lord,
11 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.
12 Then spake Solomon, The Lord said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.
13 I have surely built thee an house to dwell in, a settled place for thee to abide in for ever.
14 And the king turned his face about, and blessed all the congregation of Israel: (and all the congregation of Israel stood;)
15 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,
16 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.
17 And it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the Lord God of Israel.
18 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.
19 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.
20 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.
21 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.
22 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:
23 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:
24 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.
25 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.
26 And now, O God of Israel, let thy word, I pray thee, be verified, which thou spakest unto thy servant David my father.
27 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?
28 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:
29 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.
30 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.
31 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:
32 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.
33 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:
34 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.
35 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:
36 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.
37 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;
38 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:
39 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;)
40 That they may fear thee all the days that they live in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers.
41 Moreover concerning a stranger, that is not of thy people Israel, but cometh out of a far country for thy name's sake;
42 (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;
43 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.
44 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:
45 Then hear thou in heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause.
46 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;
47 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;
48 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:
49 Then hear thou their prayer and their supplication in heaven thy dwelling place, and maintain their cause,
50 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:
51 For they be thy people, and thine inheritance, which thou broughtest forth out of Egypt, from the midst of the furnace of iron:
52 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.
53 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.
54 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.
55 And he stood, and blessed all the congregation of Israel with a loud voice, saying,
56 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.
57 The Lord our God be with us, as he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor forsake us:
58 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.
59 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:
60 That all the people of the earth may know that the Lord is God, and that there is none else.
61 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.
62 And the king, and all Israel with him, offered sacrifice before the Lord.
63 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.
64 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.
65 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.
66 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.
1 Kings 8
New King James Version
The Ark Brought into the Temple(A)
8 Now (B)Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the chief fathers of the children of Israel, to King Solomon in Jerusalem, (C)that they might bring (D)up the ark of the covenant of the Lord from the City of David, which is Zion. 2 Therefore all the men of Israel assembled with King Solomon at the (E)feast in the month of [a]Ethanim, which is the seventh month. 3 So all the elders of Israel came, (F)and the priests took up the ark. 4 Then they brought up the ark of the Lord, (G)the [b]tabernacle of meeting, and all the holy furnishings that were in the tabernacle. The priests and the Levites brought them up. 5 Also King Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel who were assembled with him, were with him before the ark, (H)sacrificing sheep and oxen that could not be counted or numbered for multitude. 6 Then the priests (I)brought in the ark of the covenant of the Lord to (J)its place, into the inner sanctuary of the temple, to the Most Holy Place, (K)under the wings of the cherubim. 7 For the cherubim spread their two wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubim overshadowed the ark and its poles. 8 The poles (L)extended so that the [c]ends of the poles could be seen from the holy place, in front of the inner sanctuary; but they could not be seen from outside. And they are there to this day. 9 (M)Nothing was in the ark (N)except the two tablets of stone which Moses (O)put there at Horeb, (P)when the Lord made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.
10 And it came to pass, when the priests came out of the holy place, that the cloud (Q)filled the house of the Lord, 11 so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the (R)glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.
12 (S)Then Solomon spoke:
“The Lord said He would dwell (T)in the dark cloud.
13 (U)I have surely built You an exalted house,
(V)And a place for You to dwell in forever.”
Solomon’s Speech at Completion of the Work(W)
14 Then the king turned around and (X)blessed the whole assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel was standing. 15 And he said: (Y)“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who (Z)spoke with His mouth to my father David, and with His hand has fulfilled it, saying, 16 ‘Since the day that I brought My people Israel out of Egypt, I have chosen no city from any tribe of Israel in which to build a house, that (AA)My name might be there; but I chose (AB)David to be over My people Israel.’ 17 Now (AC)it was in the heart of my father David to build a [d]temple for the name of the Lord God of Israel. 18 (AD)But the Lord said to my father David, ‘Whereas it was in your heart to build a temple for My name, you did well that it was in your heart. 19 Nevertheless (AE)you shall not build the temple, but your son who will come from your body, he shall build the temple for My name.’ 20 So the Lord has fulfilled His word which He spoke; and I have [e]filled the position of my father David, and sit on the throne of Israel, (AF)as the Lord promised; and I have built a temple for the name of the Lord God of Israel. 21 And there I have made a place for the ark, in which is (AG)the covenant of the Lord which He made with our fathers, when He brought them out of the land of Egypt.”
Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication(AH)
22 Then Solomon stood before (AI)the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and (AJ)spread out his hands toward heaven; 23 and he said: “Lord God of Israel, (AK)there is no God in heaven above or on earth below like You, (AL)who keep Your covenant and mercy with Your servants who (AM)walk before You with all their hearts. 24 You have kept what You promised Your servant David my father; You have both spoken with Your mouth and fulfilled it with Your hand, as it is this day. 25 Therefore, Lord God of Israel, now keep what You promised Your servant David my father, saying, (AN)‘You shall not fail to have a man sit before Me on the throne of Israel, only if your sons take heed to their way, that they walk before Me as you have walked before Me.’ 26 (AO)And now I pray, O God of Israel, let Your word come true, which You have spoken to Your servant David my father.
27 “But (AP)will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the (AQ)heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built! 28 Yet regard the prayer of Your servant and his supplication, O Lord my God, and listen to the cry and the prayer which Your servant is praying before You today: 29 that Your eyes may be open toward this [f]temple night and day, toward the place of which You said, (AR)‘My name shall be (AS)there,’ that You may hear the prayer which Your servant makes (AT)toward this place. 30 (AU)And may You hear the supplication of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. Hear in heaven Your dwelling place; and when You hear, forgive.
31 “When anyone sins against his neighbor, and is forced to take (AV)an oath, and comes and takes an oath before Your altar in this temple, 32 then hear in heaven, and act, and judge Your servants, (AW)condemning the wicked, bringing his way on his head, and justifying the righteous by giving him according to his righteousness.
33 (AX)“When Your people Israel are defeated before an enemy because they have sinned against You, and (AY)when they turn back to You and confess Your name, and pray and make supplication to You in this temple, 34 then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of Your people Israel, and bring them back to the land which You gave to their (AZ)fathers.
35 (BA)“When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against You, when they pray toward this place and confess Your name, and turn from their sin because You afflict them, 36 then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of Your servants, Your people Israel, that You may (BB)teach them (BC)the good way in which they should walk; and send rain on Your land which You have given to Your people as an inheritance.
37 (BD)“When there is famine in the land, pestilence or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers; when their enemy besieges them in the land of their [g]cities; whatever plague or whatever sickness there is; 38 whatever prayer, whatever supplication is made by anyone, or by all Your people Israel, when each one knows the plague of his own heart, and spreads out his hands toward this temple: 39 then hear in heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive, and act, and give to everyone according to all his ways, whose heart You know (for You alone (BE)know the hearts of all the sons of men), 40 (BF)that they may fear You all the days that they live in the land which You gave to our fathers.
41 “Moreover, concerning a foreigner, who is not of Your people Israel, but has come from a far country for Your name’s sake 42 (for they will hear of Your great name and Your (BG)strong hand and Your outstretched arm), when he comes and prays toward this temple, 43 hear in heaven Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You, (BH)that all peoples of the earth may know Your name and (BI)fear You, as do Your people Israel, and that they may know that this temple which I have built is called by Your name.
44 “When Your people go out to battle against their enemy, wherever You send them, and when they pray to the Lord toward the city which You have chosen and the temple which I have built for Your name, 45 then hear in heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their [h]cause.
46 “When they sin against You (BJ)(for there is no one who does not sin), and You become angry with them and deliver them to the enemy, and they take them captive (BK)to the land of the enemy, far or near; 47 (BL)yet when they [i]come to themselves in the land where they were carried captive, and repent, and make supplication to You in the land of those who took them captive, (BM)saying, ‘We have sinned and done wrong, we have committed wickedness’; 48 and when they (BN)return to You with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their enemies who led them away captive, and (BO)pray to You toward their land which You gave to their fathers, the city which You have chosen and the temple which I have built for Your name: 49 then hear in heaven Your dwelling place their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their [j]cause, 50 and forgive Your people who have sinned against You, and all their transgressions which they have transgressed against You; and (BP)grant them compassion before those who took them captive, that they may have compassion on them 51 (for (BQ)they are Your people and Your inheritance, whom You brought out of Egypt, (BR)out of the iron furnace), 52 (BS)that Your eyes may be open to the supplication of Your servant and the supplication of Your people Israel, to listen to them whenever they call to You. 53 For You separated them from among all the peoples of the earth to be Your inheritance, (BT)as You spoke by Your servant Moses, when You brought our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord God.”
Solomon Blesses the Assembly(BU)
54 (BV)And so it was, when Solomon had finished praying all this prayer and supplication to the Lord, that he arose from before the altar of the Lord, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven. 55 Then he stood (BW)and blessed all the assembly of Israel with a loud voice, saying: 56 “Blessed be the Lord, who has given (BX)rest[k] to His people Israel, according to all that He promised. (BY)There has not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised through His servant Moses. 57 May the Lord our God be with us, as He was with our fathers. (BZ)May He not leave us nor forsake us, 58 that He may (CA)incline our hearts to Himself, to walk in all His ways, and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, which He commanded our fathers. 59 And may these words of mine, with which I have made supplication before the Lord, be near the Lord our God day and night, that He may maintain the cause of His servant and the cause of His people Israel, as each day may require, 60 (CB)that all the peoples of the earth may know that (CC)the Lord is God; there is no other. 61 Let your (CD)heart therefore be [l]loyal to the Lord our God, to walk in His statutes and keep His commandments, as at this day.”
Solomon Dedicates the Temple(CE)
62 Then (CF)the king and all Israel with him offered sacrifices before the Lord. 63 And Solomon offered a sacrifice of peace offerings, which he offered to the Lord, twenty-two thousand bulls and one hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the children of Israel dedicated the house of the Lord. 64 On (CG)the same day the king consecrated the middle of the court that was in front of the house of the Lord; for there he offered burnt offerings, grain offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings, because the (CH)bronze altar that was before the Lord was too small to receive the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings.
65 At that time Solomon held (CI)a feast, and all Israel with him, a great assembly from (CJ)the entrance of Hamath to (CK)the Brook of Egypt, before the Lord our God, (CL)seven days and seven more days—fourteen days. 66 (CM)On the eighth day he sent the people away; and they [m]blessed the king, and went to their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the good that the Lord had done for His servant David, and for Israel His people.
Footnotes
- 1 Kings 8:2 Or Tishri, September or October
- 1 Kings 8:4 tent
- 1 Kings 8:8 heads
- 1 Kings 8:17 Lit. house, and so in vv. 18–20
- 1 Kings 8:20 risen in the place of
- 1 Kings 8:29 Lit. house
- 1 Kings 8:37 Lit. gates
- 1 Kings 8:45 justice
- 1 Kings 8:47 Lit. bring back to their heart
- 1 Kings 8:49 justice
- 1 Kings 8:56 peace
- 1 Kings 8:61 Lit. at peace with
- 1 Kings 8:66 thanked
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
