2 Chronicles 6
Solomon dedicates God’s temple
Then Solomon said, "The Existing One told us that he would live in thick darkness. But I have built you a magnificent house, a place you can call home forever." Then the king turned around and blessed the entire assembly of Israel as they stood there, saying, "May Israel's God the Existing One be favored. He has kept his promise to my father David when he said, 'Since the day I brought my people out of Egypt, I never chose a tribe to build my house in, and I never chose a man to be prince of my people. Instead, I have chosen Jerusalem to bear my name, and I have chose David to rule my people.' David wanted to build a house for Israel's God the Existing One, but he told David, 'I appreciate that you wanted to build my house, but your son should be the one to do it, and not you.' Now the Existing One has fulfilled that promise he made. Just like the Existing one promised, I have stood up and taken my father's place on Israel's throne and built a house for Israel's God the Existing One. Then I moved the ark inside which is the Existing One's commitment that he made with Israel's people.
Then Solomon stood before the Existing One's altar in front of the entire assembly, and spread out his hands. There was a bronze platform which measured 7.5 feet on each side and 4.5 feet tall in the courtyard, and Solomon knelt down on top of it. In front of the entire assembly, he spread out his hands toward heaven and said, "Oh Israel's God the Existing One, there aren't any other gods like you all throughout heaven and earth. You keep your promises and show steady love to your servants who walk in front of you with their whole heart. You did exactly what you told your servant David who was my father. You promised with your mouth, and today you've fulfilled it with your hands. So now, oh Israel's God the Existing One, keep the promise you made to David saying, 'You'll always have descendants to sit on Israel's throne if your sons just closely observe my laws, walking before my like you did.' So now, oh Israel's God the Existing One, fulfill that promise you made to your servant David.
Solomon asks God to listen when people pray toward his house
"Will God really live with man on earth? The sky and universe can't even contain you, so how much less will this house be able to contain you! Yet you still consider your servant's prayers and desires, oh my God the Existing One. Keep your eyes on this house day and night so that you might hear the prayers your servant offers at this place where you promised to establish your reputation. Listen to your servant's pleas and Israel's pleas when they pray toward this place. Listen from heaven where you live, and forgive us when you hear us.
"If someone goes against his neighbor and swears an oath in front of your alter here, then listen from heaven and judge your servants, repaying the guilty with their own conduct and pardoning the righteous with a fair reward.
"If your people Israel are defeated by the enemy because they have acted against you, and they turn back, acknowledge you, and plead with you in this house, then hear from heaven and forgive your people, bringing them back to the land you gave them.
"When the skies refuse to rain because your people have gone against you, if they pray toward this place, acknowledge you, and turn from their ways, then hear from heaven and forgive your servant's offenses, teach them the good way to live, and grant rain to the land you gave your people as an inheritance.
"If there's any kind of famine, disease, plague, enemy attack, or anything like that, and your people recognize their affliction, stretch out their hands toward this house, and plead, then hear from heaven, forgive, and give each person what is just. You're the only one who knows each person's heart. Cause them to respect you and walk in your ways for as long as they live in the land you gave to our ancestors.
“When anyone from a foreign country comes to investigate your great reputation and prays toward this house, hear from heaven and do what the foreigner asks, so that everyone on earth might know your reputation and respect you like Israel does. Let them know that this house belongs to you.
“If your people go to battle against their enemies, no matter how you send them, if they pray toward your chosen city and this house, then hear their prayer from heaven and honor their efforts.
“When you get angry with them for acting out against you (like everyone does), and you allow their enemies to capture them, if they turn their heart, repent, plead with you saying ‘We went against you and acted incorrectly,’ then hear their prayers from heaven, honor their efforts, and forgive your people who acted against you. Oh my God, let your eyes and ears stay alert to the prayers that come from this place.
“Oh God the Existing One, now get up and enter your resting place, both you and the ark of your strength. Clothe your priests with salvation and let your believers celebrate in your goodness. Oh God the Existing One, do not turn your back on your chosen one! Remember the persistent love you had for your servant David.”