4. "Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, who has completed the work that he spoke to David my father, saying:
5. 'From the day when I led my people away from the land of Egypt, I did not choose a city from all the tribes of Israel, so that a house would be built in it to my name. And I did not choose any other man, so that he would be the ruler of my people Israel.
6. But I chose Jerusalem, so that my name would be in it. And I chose David, so that I might appoint him over my people Israel.'
7. And though David, my father, had decided that he would build a house to the name of the Lord God of Israel,
8. the Lord said to him: 'In so far as it was your will that you build a house to my name, certainly you have done well in having such a will.
9. But you shall not build the house. Truly, your son, who will go forth from your loins, shall build a house to my name.'
10. Therefore, the Lord has accomplished his word, which he had spoken. And I have risen up in place of my father David, and I sit upon the throne of Israel, just as the Lord spoke. And I have built a house to the name of the Lord, the God of Israel.
11. And I have placed in it the ark, in which is the covenant of the Lord that he formed with the sons of Israel."
12. Then he stood before the altar of the Lord, facing the entire multitude of Israel, and he extended his hands.
13. For indeed, Solomon had made a bronze base, and he had positioned it in the midst of the hall; it held five cubits in length, and five cubits in width, and three cubits in height. And he stood upon it. And next, kneeling down while facing the entire multitude of Israel, and lifting up his palms towards heaven,
14. he said: "O Lord God of Israel, there is no god like you in heaven or on earth. You preserve covenant and mercy with your servants, who walk before you with all their hearts.
15. You fulfilled for your servant David, my father, whatsoever you had said to him. And you carried out the deed that you promised with your mouth, just as the present time proves.