21. And I have prepared a place there for the Ark, which contains the covenant that the lord 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 entire community of Israel. He lifted his hands toward heaven,
23. and he prayed,“O lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in all of heaven above or on the earth below. You keep your covenant and show unfailing love to all who walk before you in wholehearted devotion.
24. You have kept your promise to your servant David, my father. You made that promise with your own mouth, and with your own hands you have fulfilled it today.
25. “And now, O lord, God of Israel, carry out the additional promise you made to your servant David, my father. For you said to him, ‘If your descendants guard their behavior and faithfully follow me as you have done, one of them will always sit on the throne of Israel.’
26. Now, O God of Israel, fulfill this promise to your servant David, my father.
27. “But will God really live on earth? Why, even the highest heavens cannot contain you. How much less this Temple I have built!
28. Nevertheless, listen to my prayer and my plea, O lord my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is making to you today.