Solomon Blesses the People
1 1Then Solomon said, "The LORD has said that he would dwell in thick darkness.
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But I have built you
2an exalted house, a place for you to dwell in forever."
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Then the king turned around and blessed all the assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel stood.
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And he said, "Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who with his hand has fulfilled what he promised with his mouth to David my father, saying,
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'Since the day that I brought my people out of the land of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel in which to build a house, that my name might be there, and I chose no man as prince over my people Israel;
6
3but I have chosen Jerusalem that my name may be there,
4and I have chosen David to be over my people Israel.'
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5Now it was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel.
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But the LORD said to David my father, 'Whereas
6it was in your heart to build a house for my name, you did well that it was in your heart.
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Nevertheless, it is not you who shall build the house, but your son who shall be born to you shall build the house for my name.'
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Now the LORD has fulfilled his promise that he made. For I have risen in the place of David my father and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and I have built the house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel.
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And there I have set the ark,
7in which is the covenant of the LORD that he made with the people of Israel."