1Then Solomon said, “The Lord has said that he would dwell in a dark cloud; 2I have built a magnificent temple for you, a place for you to dwell forever.”
3While the whole assembly of Israel was standing there, the king turned around and blessed them. 4Then he said:
“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who with his hands has fulfilled what he promised with his mouth to my father David. For he said, 5‘Since the day I brought my people out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city in any tribe of Israel to have a temple built so that my Name might be there, nor have I chosen anyone to be ruler over my people Israel. 6But now I have chosen Jerusalem for my Name to be there, and I have chosen David to rule my people Israel.’
7“My father David had it in his heart to build a temple for the Name of the Lord, the God of Israel. 8But the Lord said to my father David, ‘You did well to have it in your heart to build a temple for my Name. 9Nevertheless, you are not the one to build the temple, but your son, your own flesh and blood—he is the one who will build the temple for my Name.’
10“The Lord has kept the promise he made. I have succeeded David my father and now I sit on the throne of Israel, just as the Lord promised, and I have built the temple for the Name of the Lord, the God of Israel. 11There I have placed the ark, in which is the covenant of the Lord that he made with the people of Israel.”
Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication
12Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in front of the whole assembly of Israel and spread out his hands. 13Now he had made a bronze platform, five cubits long, five cubits wide and three cubits high,6:13 That is, about 7 1/2 feet long and wide and 4 1/2 feet high or about 2.3 meters long and wide and 1.4 meters high and had placed it in the center of the outer court. He stood on the platform and then knelt down before the whole assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven. 14He said:
“Lord, the God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven or on earth—you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way. 15You have kept your promise to your servant David my father; with your mouth you have promised and with your hand you have fulfilled it—as it is today.
16“Now, Lord, the God of Israel, keep for your servant David my father the promises you made to him when you said, ‘You shall never fail to have a successor to sit before me on the throne of Israel, if only your descendants are careful in all they do to walk before me according to my law, as you have done.’ 17And now, Lord, the God of Israel, let your word that you promised your servant David come true.
18“But will God really dwell on earth with humans? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built! 19Yet, Lord my God, give attention to your servant’s prayer and his plea for mercy. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence. 20May your eyes be open toward this temple day and night, this place of which you said you would put your Name there. May you hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place. 21Hear the supplications of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place; and when you hear, forgive.
22“When anyone wrongs their neighbor and is required to take an oath and they come and swear the oath before your altar in this temple, 23then hear from heaven and act. Judge between your servants, condemning the guilty and bringing down on their heads what they have done, and vindicating the innocent by treating them in accordance with their innocence.
24“When your people Israel have been defeated by an enemy because they have sinned against you and when they turn back and give praise to your name, praying and making supplication before you in this temple, 25then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your people Israel and bring them back to the land you gave to them and their ancestors.
26“When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you, and when they pray toward this place and give praise to your name and turn from their sin because you have afflicted them, 27then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel. Teach them the right way to live, and send rain on the land you gave your people for an inheritance.
28“When famine or plague comes to the land, or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers, or when enemies besiege them in any of their cities, whatever disaster or disease may come, 29and when a prayer or plea is made by anyone among your people Israel—being aware of their afflictions and pains, and spreading out their hands toward this temple— 30then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Forgive, and deal with everyone according to all they do, since you know their hearts (for you alone know the human heart), 31so that they will fear you and walk in obedience to you all the time they live in the land you gave our ancestors.
32“As for the foreigner who does not belong to your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of your great name and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm—when they come and pray toward this temple, 33then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Do whatever the foreigner asks of you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your own people Israel, and may know that this house I have built bears your Name.
34“When your people go to war against their enemies, wherever you send them, and when they pray to you toward this city you have chosen and the temple I have built for your Name, 35then hear from heaven their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause.
36“When they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin—and you become angry with them and give them over to the enemy, who takes them captive to a land far away or near; 37and if they have a change of heart in the land where they are held captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their captivity and say, ‘We have sinned, we have done wrong and acted wickedly’; 38and if they turn back to you with all their heart and soul in the land of their captivity where they were taken, and pray toward the land you gave their ancestors, toward the city you have chosen and toward the temple I have built for your Name; 39then from heaven, your dwelling place, hear their prayer and their pleas, and uphold their cause. And forgive your people, who have sinned against you.
40“Now, my God, may your eyes be open and your ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.
41“Now arise, Lord God, and come to your resting place,
you and the ark of your might.
May your priests, Lord God, be clothed with salvation,
may your faithful people rejoice in your goodness.
42Lord God, do not reject your anointed one.
Remember the great love promised to David your servant.”
Kuweka Hekalu Wakfu
(1 Wafalme 8:12-21)
16:1 1Fal 8:12; Kut 19:9; Law 16:2; Ebr 12:18; Kut 20:21; 24:15-18; Za 18:8-11Ndipo Solomoni akasema, “Bwana alisema kwamba ataishi katika giza nene. 26:2 Ezr 7:15; Za 135:21Nimejenga Hekalu zuri kwa ajili yako, mahali pako pa kukaa milele.”
3Kusanyiko lote la Israeli lilipokuwa limesimama hapo, mfalme akageuka na kuwabariki. 4Kisha akasema:
“Ahimidiwe Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli, ambaye kwa mikono yake mwenyewe ametimiza lile alilomwahidi Daudi baba yangu kwa kinywa chake mwenyewe. Kwa kuwa alisema, 5‘Tangu siku niliyowatoa watu wangu kutoka Misri, sikuchagua mji katika kabila lolote la Israeli ili Hekalu lijengwe humo ili Jina langu lipate kuwamo humo, wala sikumchagua mtu yeyote kuwa kiongozi wa watu wangu Israeli. 66:6 Za 78:68-70; Kum 12:5; Kut 20:24; 2Nya 12:13; 1Nya 28:4; 1Sam 16:1; Za 89:19-20Lakini sasa nimeuchagua Yerusalemu ili Jina langu lipate kuwamo humo, na nimemchagua Daudi kuwatawala watu wangu Israeli.’
76:7 2Sam 7:2; 1Nya 28:2; Mdo 7:46; 1Fal 7:3“Ilikuwa moyoni mwa Daudi baba yangu kujenga Hekalu kwa ajili ya Jina la Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli. 86:8 1Fal 8:18-21; 2Kor 8:12Lakini Bwana akamwambia Daudi baba yangu, ‘Kwa sababu ilikuwa moyoni mwako kujenga Hekalu kwa ajili ya Jina langu, ulifanya vyema kuwa na jambo hili moyoni mwako. 9Hata hivyo, sio wewe utakayenijengea Hekalu, bali mwanao, ambaye ni nyama yako na damu yako mwenyewe, yeye ndiye atakayejenga Hekalu kwa ajili ya Jina langu.’
10“Bwana ametimiza ahadi aliyoiweka: Nimeingia mahali pa Daudi baba yangu na sasa ninakikalia kiti cha ufalme cha Israeli, kama vile Bwana alivyoahidi, nami nimejenga Hekalu kwa ajili ya Jina la Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli. 116:11 Kut 40:20; 10:2; Za 50:5; 1Fal 8:9-21; 2Nya 5:10Nimeliweka humo Sanduku la Agano, ambamo ndani yake kuna lile Agano la Bwana alilofanya na watu wa Israeli.”
Maombi Ya Solomoni Ya Kuweka Wakfu
(1 Wafalme 8:22-53)
126:12 1Fal 8:22; Ebr 9:5; 1Tim 2:8Kisha Solomoni akasimama mbele ya madhabahu ya Bwana machoni pa kusanyiko lote la Israeli, naye akakunjua mikono yake. 136:13 Neh 8:4; Za 95:6Basi Solomoni alikuwa ametengeneza jukwaa la shaba, urefu wake dhiraa tano, na upana wake dhiraa tano na kimo chake dhiraa tatu, naye akaliweka katikati ya ukumbi wa nje. Akapanda juu ya hilo jukwaa kisha akapiga magoti mbele ya kusanyiko lote la Israeli, akanyoosha mikono yake kwelekea mbinguni. 146:14 Kut 15:11; 8:10; Mwa 5:24; Kum 7:9; Dan 9:4; 2Sam 7:22; Za 86:8Akasema:
“Ee Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli, hakuna Mungu kama wewe juu mbinguni wala chini duniani, wewe unayetunza Agano lako la upendo na watumishi wanaodumu katika njia yako kwa moyo wote. 156:15 1Nya 22:9-10Umetimiza ahadi yako kwa mtumishi wako Daudi baba yangu, kwa kinywa chako uliahidi na kwa mkono wako umetimiza, kama ilivyo leo.
166:16 1Fal 2:4; 2Nya 7:18; Za 132:12; 2Sam 7:12-16; 1Fal 6:12“Sasa Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli, mtimizie mtumishi wako Daudi baba yangu ahadi zako ulizomwahidi uliposema, ‘Kamwe hutakosa kuwa na mtu atakayeketi mbele zangu kwenye kiti cha ufalme cha Israeli, kama wanao wakiangalia yote wayafanyayo kuenenda mbele zangu kama vile ulivyofanya.’ 17Sasa, Ee Bwana, Mungu wa Israeli, acha neno lako lile ulilomwahidi mtumishi wako Daudi baba yangu litimie.
186:18 Ufu 21:3; Isa 40:22; Mdo 7:49; Za 113:5-6; 2Nya 2:6“Lakini kweli, je, Mungu atafanya makao duniani na wanadamu? Mbingu, hata mbingu zilizo juu sana, haziwezi kukutosha wewe. Sembuse Hekalu hili nililojenga! 19Hata hivyo sikiliza dua ya mtumishi wako na maombi yake kwa huruma, Ee Bwana Mungu wangu. Sikia kilio na dua ambayo mtumishi wako anaomba mbele zako siku hii ya leo. 206:20 Dan 6:10; Kut 3:16; Kum 12:11; 2Nya 7:14; 30:20; Za 33:18; 34:15Macho yako na yafumbuke kuelekea Hekalu hili usiku na mchana, mahali hapa ambapo ulisema, ‘Jina langu litakuwako humo,’ ili kwamba upate kusikia maombi ambayo mtumishi wako ataomba kuelekea mahali hapa. 216:21 Isa 43:25; 55:7; Mik 7:18; Isa 44:22Usikie maombi ya mtumishi wako na ya watu wako Israeli wakati wanapoomba kuelekea mahali hapa. Sikia kutoka mbinguni, mahali pa makao yako na usikiapo, samehe.
226:22 Kut 22:11“Mtu anapomkosea jirani yake na akatakiwa kuapa, akija na kuapa mbele ya madhabahu yako ndani ya Hekalu hili, 236:23 Isa 3:11; Rum 2:8; Mt 16:27basi, sikia kutoka mbinguni na ukatende. Hukumu kati ya watumishi wako, ukimwadhibu yule mwenye hatia kwa kuleta juu ya kichwa chake yale aliyoyatenda. Umtangazie mwenye haki kwamba hana hatia, hivyo ukathibitishe kuwa haki kwake.
246:24 Law 26:17; Kum 32:15; Amu 2:11-15; Za 51:4“Wakati watu wako Israeli watakapokuwa wameshindwa na adui kwa sababu ya dhambi walizofanya dhidi yako, watakapokugeukia na kulikiri jina lako, wakiomba na kufanya dua kwako katika Hekalu hili, 25basi usikie kutoka mbinguni, ukasamehe dhambi ya watu wako Israeli na kuwarudisha katika nchi uliyowapa baba zao.
266:26 2Sam 1:21; Lk 4:25; 1Fal 17:1; Law 26:10“Wakati mbingu zitakapokuwa zimefungwa kusiwe na mvua kwa sababu watu wako wametenda dhambi dhidi yako, watakapoomba kuelekea mahali hapa na kulikiri jina lako nao wakageuka kutoka dhambi zao kwa sababu umewaadhibu, 276:27 2Nya 7:14; Yn 6:45; Zek 10:1; 1Fal 8:35, 36; Za 94:12basi usikie kutoka mbinguni na usamehe dhambi ya watumishi wako, watu wako Israeli. Wafundishe njia sahihi ya kuishi na ukanyeshe mvua juu ya nchi uliyowapa watu wako kuwa urithi.
286:28 2Nya 20:9“Wakati njaa au tauni vikija juu ya nchi, au koga au kawa, nzige au panzi, au wakati adui atakapowazingira katika mji wao wowote, maafa ya namna yoyote au ugonjwa wowote unaoweza kuwajia, 29wakati dua au maombi yatakapofanywa na mmojawapo wa watu wako Israeli, kila mmoja akitambua taabu zake na uchungu wake, naye akainyoosha mikono yake kuelekea Hekalu hili, 306:30 1Sam 2:3; 1Nya 28:9; Za 11:4basi usikie kutoka mbinguni, katika makao yako. Usamehe na utende, umpe kila mtu kulingana na matendo yake, kwa kuwa unaujua moyo wake (kwa kuwa ni wewe peke yako ujuaye mioyo ya watu wote), 316:31 Kum 6:13; Za 34:7-9ili wakuogope kwa wakati wote watakaoishi katika nchi uliyowapa baba zetu.
326:32 2Nya 9:6; Kum 4:6-8; Yn 12:20; Mdo 8:27; Kut 3:19-20; Kum 4:6-8; Za 113:3; Isa 56:3-8; Yn 10:16“Kwa habari ya mgeni ambaye si miongoni mwa watu wako Israeli, lakini amekuja kutoka nchi ya mbali kwa sababu ya jina lako kuu na mkono wako wenye nguvu ulionyooshwa, atakapokuja kuomba kuelekea Hekalu hili, 336:33 Kut 12:43; 2Nya 7:14basi na usikie kutoka mbinguni, mahali pa makao yako, ukafanye lolote ambalo mgeni huyo anakuomba, ili mataifa yote ya dunia wapate kujua jina lako na wakuogope kama wafanyavyo watu wako Israeli nao wapate pia kujua kwamba nyumba hii niliyoijenga imeitwa kwa Jina lako.
346:34 Kum 28:7; 1Nya 5:20“Wakati watu wako watakapokwenda vitani dhidi ya adui zao, popote utakapowapeleka, wakati watakapoomba kwa Bwana kuelekea mji ambao umeuchagua, na Hekalu nililolijenga kwa ajili ya Jina lako, 35basi usikie dua na maombi yao kutoka mbinguni, ukawatetee haki yao.
366:36 1Fal 8:46; Law 26:44; Rum 3:9; Ay 15:14-16; Mit 20:9; Mhu 7:20; Yak 3:2“Watakapotenda dhambi dhidi yako, kwa kuwa hakuna mtu yeyote ambaye hatendi dhambi, nawe ukachukizwa nao na kuwakabidhi kwa adui, ambaye atawachukua utumwani katika nchi iliyo mbali au karibu 376:37 1Fal 8:48; Isa 58:3; Yer 24:6-7na kama watabadilika mioyo yao katika nchi wanakoshikiliwa mateka, nao wakatubu na kukulilia katika nchi ya utumwa na kusema, ‘Tumetenda dhambi, tumefanya makosa na tumetenda uovu’; 386:38 Yer 29:12-13kama wakikugeukia kwa moyo wao wote na nafsi zao katika nchi ya adui zao ambao waliwachukua mateka, wakakuomba kuelekea nchi uliyowapa baba zao, kuelekea mji uliouchagua na Hekalu nililolijenga kwa ajili ya Jina lako, 39basi kutoka mbinguni, mahali pa makao yako, usikie dua yao na maombi yao na kuitetea haki yao. Uwasamehe watu wako, waliotenda dhambi dhidi yako.
406:40 Za 130:2; Isa 37:17“Sasa, Mungu wangu, macho yako na yafumbuke na masikio yako yasikie maombi yaombwayo mahali hapa.
416:41 Isa 33:10; Neh 9:25; Isa 51:10; Za 132:16; 1Nya 28:2“Sasa inuka, Ee Bwana Mungu,
na uje mahali pako pa kupumzikia,
wewe na Sanduku la nguvu zako.
Makuhani wako, Ee Bwana Mungu,
na wavikwe wokovu,
watakatifu wako na wafurahi
katika wema wako.
426:42 Za 89:24-28; Isa 55:3Ee Bwana Mungu, usimkatae
mpakwa mafuta wako.
Kumbuka upendo mkuu uliomwahidia
Daudi mtumishi wako.”
