16. “Since the day I brought my people Israel out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city in any tribe of Israel to have a temple built so that my Name might be there, but I have chosen David to rule my people Israel.”
17. ‘My father David had it in his heart to build a temple 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, you 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.”
20. ‘The Lord has kept the promise he made: I have succeeded David my father and now I sit on the throne of Israel, just as the Lord promised, and I have built 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.’
22. Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands towards heaven
23. and said:‘Lord, the God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below – you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way.