Solomon prays at the temple
12 Then Solomon stood in front of the Lord's altar. All the Israelite people who had come together there could see him. He lifted up his hands to pray. 13 He had made a bronze stage to stand on. It was 2.2 metres long, 2.2 metres wide and 1.3 metres high. He put it in the middle of the yard and he stood on it. Then he went down on his knees where all the Israelites could see him. He lifted up his hands towards the sky. 14 He prayed,
‘Lord, Israel's God, there is no God like you, either in heaven or on the earth. You continue to do what you have promised to do for your people. You faithfully love those who want to serve you. 15 You have done what you promised to do for your servant, my father David. You have used your power to finish today everything that you said you would do.
16 Now Lord, Israel's God, there is another promise that you spoke to my father David. I pray that you will do that too. You said to David, “There will always be one of your descendants to rule Israel as my chosen king. But for this to happen, your sons must be careful to obey my Law, as you have done.” 17 So now Lord, Israel's God, please cause what you promised to your servant David to happen.
18 But surely God, you do not live on the earth with people! The whole sky, or even heaven itself, is too small to contain you! So how can you live in this temple that I have built? 19 But Lord, my God, please listen to my prayer, as I ask you for help. Please answer me, your servant, because I need your help. 20 Watch over this temple and take care of it day and night. This is the place about which you said, “People will give honour to my name there.” Please answer my prayers when I turn towards this place to pray to you. 21 Hear the prayers of me, your servant, and the prayers of your people, the Israelites. Please answer us when we turn towards this place and we pray to you. Hear us from heaven, the place where you live. And when we pray, forgive us for our sins.
