| New King James Version | Berean Study Bible |
| 1Now Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the chief fathers of the children of Israel, to King Solomon in Jerusalem, that they might bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from the City of David, which is Zion. | 1At that time Solomon assembled before him in Jerusalem the elders of Israel—all the tribal heads and family leaders of the Israelites—to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from Zion, the City of David. |
| 2Therefore all the men of Israel assembled with King Solomon at the feast in the month of Ethanim, which is the seventh month. | 2And all the men of Israel came together to King Solomon at the feast in the seventh month, the month of Ethanim. |
| 3So all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark. | 3When all the elders of Israel had arrived, the priests took up the ark, |
| 4Then they brought up the ark of the LORD, the tabernacle of meeting, and all the holy furnishings that were in the tabernacle. The priests and the Levites brought them up. | 4and they brought up the ark of the LORD and the Tent of Meeting with all its sacred furnishings. So the priests and Levites carried them up. |
| 5Also King Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel who were assembled with him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen that could not be counted or numbered for multitude. | 5There, before the ark, King Solomon and the whole congregation of Israel who had assembled with him sacrificed so many sheep and oxen that they could not be counted or numbered. |
| 6Then the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place, into the inner sanctuary of the temple, to the Most Holy Place, under the wings of the cherubim. | 6Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, beneath the wings of the cherubim. |
| 7For the cherubim spread their two wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubim overshadowed the ark and its poles. | 7For the cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark and overshadowed the ark and its poles. |
| 8The poles extended so that the ends of the poles could be seen from the holy place, in front of the inner sanctuary; but they could not be seen from outside. And they are there to this day. | 8The poles extended far enough that their ends were visible from the Holy Place in front of the inner sanctuary, but not from outside the Holy Place; and they are there to this day. |
| 9Nothing was in the ark except the two tablets of stone which Moses put there at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt. | 9There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where the LORD had made a covenant with the Israelites after they had come out of the land of Egypt. |
| 10And it came to pass, when the priests came out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD, | 10And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, the cloud filled the house of the LORD |
| 11so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD. | 11so that the priests could not stand there to minister because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD. |
| 12Then Solomon spoke: “The LORD said He would dwell in the dark cloud. | 12Then Solomon declared: “The LORD has said that He would dwell in the thick cloud. |
| 13I have surely built You an exalted house, And a place for You to dwell in forever.” | 13I have indeed built You an exalted house, a place for You to dwell forever.” |
| 14Then the king turned around and blessed the whole assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel was standing. | 14And as the whole assembly of Israel stood there, the king turned around and blessed them all |
| 15And he said: “Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who spoke with His mouth to my father David, and with His hand has fulfilled it, saying, | 15and said: “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who has fulfilled with His own hand what He spoke with His mouth to my father David, saying, |
| 16‘Since the day that I brought My people Israel out of Egypt, I have chosen no city from any tribe of Israel in which to build a house, that My name might be there; but I chose David to be over My people Israel.’ | 16‘Since the day I brought My people Israel out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city from any tribe of Israel in which to build a house so that My Name would be there. But I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’ |
| 17Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a temple for the name of the LORD God of Israel. | 17Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a house for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel. |
| 18But the LORD said to my father David, ‘Whereas it was in your heart to build a temple for My name, you did well that it was in your heart. | 18But the LORD said to my father David, ‘Since it was in your heart to build a house for My Name, you have done well to have this in your heart. |
| 19Nevertheless you shall not build the temple, but your son who will come from your body, he shall build the temple for My name.’ | 19Nevertheless, you are not the one to build it; but your son, your own offspring, will build the house for My Name.’ |
| 20So the LORD has fulfilled His word which He spoke; and I have filled the position of my father David, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised; and I have built a temple for the name of the LORD God of Israel. | 20Now the LORD has fulfilled the word that He spoke. I have succeeded my father David, and I sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised. I have built the house for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel. |
| 21And there I have made a place for the ark, in which is the covenant of the LORD which He made with our fathers, when He brought them out of the land of Egypt.” | 21And there I have provided a place for the ark, which contains the covenant of the LORD that He made with our fathers when He brought them out of the land of Egypt.” |
| 22Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven; | 22Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven, |
| 23and he said: “LORD God of Israel, there is no God in heaven above or on earth below like You, who keep Your covenant and mercy with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts. | 23and said: “O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth below, keeping Your covenant of loving devotion with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts. |
| 24You have kept what You promised Your servant David my father; You have both spoken with Your mouth and fulfilled it with Your hand, as it is this day. | 24You have kept Your promise to Your servant, my father David. What You spoke with Your mouth You have fulfilled with Your hand this day. |
| 25Therefore, LORD God of Israel, now keep what You promised Your servant David my father, saying, ‘You shall not fail to have a man sit before Me on the throne of Israel, only if your sons take heed to their way, that they walk before Me as you have walked before Me.’ | 25Therefore now, O LORD, God of Israel, keep for Your servant, my father David, what You promised when You said: ‘You will never fail to have a man to sit before Me on the throne of Israel, if only your descendants guard their way to walk before Me as you have done.’ |
| 26And now I pray, O God of Israel, let Your word come true, which You have spoken to Your servant David my father. | 26And now, O God of Israel, please confirm what You promised to Your servant, my father David. |
| 27“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built! | 27But will God indeed dwell upon the earth? Even heaven, the highest heaven, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built. |
| 28Yet regard the prayer of Your servant and his supplication, O LORD my God, and listen to the cry and the prayer which Your servant is praying before You today: | 28Yet regard the prayer and plea of Your servant, O LORD my God, so that You may hear the cry and the prayer that Your servant is praying before You today. |
| 29that Your eyes may be open toward this temple night and day, toward the place of which You said, ‘My name shall be there,’ that You may hear the prayer which Your servant makes toward this place. | 29May Your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, toward the place of which You said, ‘My Name shall be there,’ so that You may hear the prayer that Your servant prays toward this place. |
| 30And may You hear the supplication of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. Hear in heaven Your dwelling place; and when You hear, forgive. | 30Hear the plea of Your servant and of Your people Israel when they pray toward this place. May You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place. May You hear and forgive. |
| 31“When anyone sins against his neighbor, and is forced to take an oath, and comes and takes an oath before Your altar in this temple, | 31When a man sins against his neighbor and is required to take an oath, and he comes to take an oath before Your altar in this temple, |
| 32then hear in heaven, and act, and judge Your servants, condemning the wicked, bringing his way on his head, and justifying the righteous by giving him according to his righteousness. | 32then may You hear from heaven and act. May You judge Your servants, condemning the wicked man by bringing down on his own head what he has done, and justifying the righteous man by rewarding him according to his righteousness. |
| 33“When Your people Israel are defeated before an enemy because they have sinned against You, and when they turn back to You and confess Your name, and pray and make supplication to You in this temple, | 33When Your people Israel are defeated before an enemy because they have sinned against You, and they return to You and confess Your name, praying and pleading with You in this temple, |
| 34then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of Your people Israel, and bring them back to the land which You gave to their fathers. | 34then may You hear from heaven and forgive the sin of Your people Israel. May You restore them to the land You gave to their fathers. |
| 35“When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against You, when they pray toward this place and confess Your name, and turn from their sin because You afflict them, | 35When the skies are shut and there is no rain because Your people have sinned against You, and they pray toward this place and confess Your name, and they turn from their sins because You have afflicted them, |
| 36then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of Your servants, Your people Israel, that You may teach them the good way in which they should walk; and send rain on Your land which You have given to Your people as an inheritance. | 36then may You hear from heaven and forgive the sin of Your servants, Your people Israel, so that You may teach them the good way in which they should walk. May You send rain on the land that You gave Your people as an inheritance. |
| 37“When there is famine in the land, pestilence or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers; when their enemy besieges them in the land of their cities; whatever plague or whatever sickness there is; | 37When famine or plague comes upon the land, or blight or mildew or locusts or grasshoppers, or when their enemy besieges them in their cities, whatever plague or sickness may come, |
| 38whatever prayer, whatever supplication is made by anyone, or by all Your people Israel, when each one knows the plague of his own heart, and spreads out his hands toward this temple: | 38then may whatever prayer or petition Your people Israel make—each knowing his own afflictions and spreading out his hands toward this temple— |
| 39then hear in heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive, and act, and give to everyone according to all his ways, whose heart You know (for You alone know the hearts of all the sons of men), | 39be heard by You from heaven, Your dwelling place. And may You forgive and act, and repay each man according to all his ways, since You know his heart—for You alone know the hearts of all men— |
| 40that they may fear You all the days that they live in the land which You gave to our fathers. | 40so that they may fear You all the days they live in the land that You gave to our fathers. |
| 41“Moreover, concerning a foreigner, who is not of Your people Israel, but has come from a far country for Your name’s sake | 41And as for the foreigner who is not of Your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of Your name— |
| 42(for they will hear of Your great name and Your strong hand and Your outstretched arm), when he comes and prays toward this temple, | 42for they will hear of Your great name and mighty hand and outstretched arm—when he comes and prays toward this temple, |
| 43hear in heaven Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You, that all peoples of the earth may know Your name and fear You, as do Your people Israel, and that they may know that this temple which I have built is called by Your name. | 43then may You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You. Then all the peoples of the earth will know Your name and fear You, as do Your people Israel, and they will know that this house I have built is called by Your Name. |
| 44“When Your people go out to battle against their enemy, wherever You send them, and when they pray to the LORD toward the city which You have chosen and the temple which I have built for Your name, | 44When Your people go to war against their enemies, wherever You send them, and when they pray to the LORD in the direction of the city You have chosen and the house I have built for Your Name, |
| 45then hear in heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause. | 45then may You hear from heaven their prayer and their plea, and may You uphold their cause. |
| 46“When they sin against You (for there is no one who does not sin), and You become angry with them and deliver them to the enemy, and they take them captive to the land of the enemy, far or near; | 46When they sin against You—for there is no one who does not sin—and You become angry with them and deliver them to an enemy who takes them as captives to his own land, whether far or near, |
| 47yet when they come to themselves in the land where they were carried captive, and repent, and make supplication to You in the land of those who took them captive, saying, ‘We have sinned and done wrong, we have committed wickedness’; | 47and when they come to their senses in the land to which they were taken, and they repent and plead with You in the land of their captors, saying, ‘We have sinned and done wrong; we have acted wickedly,’ |
| 48and when they return to You with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their enemies who led them away captive, and pray to You toward their land which You gave to their fathers, the city which You have chosen and the temple which I have built for Your name: | 48and when they return to You with all their heart and soul in the land of the enemies who took them captive, and when they pray to You in the direction of the land that You gave to their fathers, the city You have chosen, and the house I have built for Your Name, |
| 49then hear in heaven Your dwelling place their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause, | 49then may You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place, their prayer and petition, and may You uphold their cause. |
| 50and forgive Your people who have sinned against You, and all their transgressions which they have transgressed against You; and grant them compassion before those who took them captive, that they may have compassion on them | 50May You forgive Your people who have sinned against You and all the transgressions they have committed against You, and may You grant them compassion in the eyes of their captors to show them mercy. |
| 51(for they are Your people and Your inheritance, whom You brought out of Egypt, out of the iron furnace), | 51For they are Your people and Your inheritance; You brought them out of Egypt, out of the furnace for iron. |
| 52that Your eyes may be open to the supplication of Your servant and the supplication of Your people Israel, to listen to them whenever they call to You. | 52May Your eyes be open to the pleas of Your servant and of Your people Israel, and may You listen to them whenever they call to You. |
| 53For You separated them from among all the peoples of the earth to be Your inheritance, as You spoke by Your servant Moses, when You brought our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord GOD.” | 53For You, O Lord GOD, as Your inheritance, have set them apart from all the peoples of the earth, as You spoke through Your servant Moses when You brought our fathers out of Egypt.” |
| 54And so it was, when Solomon had finished praying all this prayer and supplication to the LORD, that he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven. | 54Now when Solomon had finished praying this entire prayer and petition to the LORD, he got up before the altar of the LORD, where he had been kneeling with his hands spread out toward heaven. |
| 55Then he stood and blessed all the assembly of Israel with a loud voice, saying: | 55And he stood and blessed the whole assembly of Israel in a loud voice, saying: |
| 56“Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised. There has not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised through His servant Moses. | 56“Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to His people Israel according to all that He promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises He made through His servant Moses. |
| 57May the LORD our God be with us, as He was with our fathers. May He not leave us nor forsake us, | 57May the LORD our God be with us, as He was with our fathers. May He never leave us nor forsake us. |
| 58that He may incline our hearts to Himself, to walk in all His ways, and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, which He commanded our fathers. | 58May He incline our hearts to Himself, to walk in all His ways and to keep the commandments and statutes and ordinances He commanded our fathers. |
| 59And may these words of mine, with which I have made supplication before the LORD, be near the LORD our God day and night, that He may maintain the cause of His servant and the cause of His people Israel, as each day may require, | 59And may these words with which I have made my petition before the LORD be near to the LORD our God day and night, so that He may uphold the cause of His servant and of His people Israel as each day requires, |
| 60that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God; there is no other. | 60so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God. There is no other! |
| 61Let your heart therefore be loyal to the LORD our God, to walk in His statutes and keep His commandments, as at this day.” | 61So let your heart be fully devoted to the LORD our God, as it is this day, to walk in His statutes and to keep His commandments.” |
| 62Then the king and all Israel with him offered sacrifices before the LORD. | 62Then the king and all Israel with him offered sacrifices before the LORD. |
| 63And Solomon offered a sacrifice of peace offerings, which he offered to the LORD, twenty-two thousand bulls and one hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the children of Israel dedicated the house of the LORD. | 63And Solomon offered as peace offerings to the LORD 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep. So the king and all the Israelites dedicated the house of the LORD. |
| 64On the same day the king consecrated the middle of the court that was in front of the house of the LORD; for there he offered burnt offerings, grain offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings, because the bronze altar that was before the LORD was too small to receive the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings. | 64On that same day the king consecrated the middle of the courtyard in front of the house of the LORD, and there he offered the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings, since the bronze altar before the LORD was too small to contain all these offerings. |
| 65At that time Solomon held a feast, and all Israel with him, a great assembly from the entrance of Hamath to the Brook of Egypt, before the LORD our God, seven days and seven more days—fourteen days. | 65So at that time Solomon and all Israel with him—a great assembly of people from Lebo-hamath to the Brook of Egypt—kept the feast before the LORD our God for seven days and seven more days—fourteen days in all. |
| 66On the eighth day he sent the people away; and they blessed the king, and went to their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the good that the LORD had done for His servant David, and for Israel His people. | 66On the fifteenth day Solomon sent the people away. So they blessed the king and went home, joyful and glad in heart for all the good things that the LORD had done for His servant David and for His people Israel. |
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