9. There was not anything in the ark except the two tablets of stone which Moses had placed there at Horeb, where Yahweh made a covenant with the Israelites after they went out from the land of Egypt.
10. When the priests went out from the holy place, the cloud filled the house of Yahweh.
11. The priests were not able to stand to minister because of the presence of the cloud, for the glory of Yahweh filled the house of Yahweh.
12. Then Solomon said, “Yahweh has said that he would dwell in the very thick cloud.
13. I have certainly built a lofty house for you, a place for you to live forever.”
14. Then the king turned his face around, and he blessed all of the assembly of Israel. (Now all the assembly of Israel was standing).
15. Then he said, “Blessed be Yahweh the God of Israel who has promised with his mouth to David my father and fulfilled by his oath, saying,
16. ‘From the day that I brought out my people Israel from Egypt I have not chosen a city from all the tribes of Israel to build a house where my name might be, but I have chosen David to be over my people Israel.’
17. David my father desired to build a house for the name of Yahweh the God of Israel,
18. but Yahweh said to David my father, ‘Because you desired to build a house for my name, you did well in that it was within your heart.
19. However, you will not build the house, but your son who has come from your loins, he shall build the house for my name.’
20. Yahweh has carried out his promise which he had made; I have risen in place of David my father, and I sit on the throne of Israel as Yahweh promised, and I have built the house for the name of Yahweh the God of Israel.
21. I have provided a place there for the ark, in which is the covenant which Yahweh made with our ancestors when He brought them out of the land of Egypt.”
22. Then Solomon stood before the altar of Yahweh in the presence of all of the assembly of Israel, and he spread out his hands to the heavens,
23. and he said, “O Yahweh, God of Israel, there is no god like you in the heavens above or on the earth beneath, keeping the covenant and the loyal love for your servants who are walking before you with all their heart.