13. Now I have built a majestic temple for you,a place for you to live in for ever.”
14. As the people stood there, King Solomon turned to face them, and he asked God's blessing on them.
15. He said, “Praise the Lord God of Israel! He has kept the promise he made to my father David, when he said,
16. ‘From the time I brought my people out of Egypt, I have not chosen any city in all the land of Israel in which a temple should be built where I would be worshipped. But I chose you, David, to rule my people.’ ”
17. And Solomon continued, “My father David planned to build a temple for the worship of the Lord God of Israel,
18. but the Lord said to him, ‘You were right in wanting to build a temple for me,
19. but you will never build it. It is your son, your own son, who will build my temple.’
20. “And now the Lord has kept his promise. I have succeeded my father as king of Israel, and I have built the Temple for the worship of the Lord God of Israel.
21. I have also provided a place in the Temple for the Covenant Box containing the stone tablets of the covenant which the Lord made with our ancestors when he brought them out of Egypt.”
22. Then in the presence of the people Solomon went and stood in front of the altar, where he raised his arms