1 Then Solomon said, The LORD has said that he would dwell in the thick darkness. 2 I, therefore, have built a house of habitation for thee and a place for thy dwelling for ever. 3 And the king turned his face and blessed the whole congregation of Israel, and all the congregation of Israel was standing. 4 And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who has with his hand fulfilled that which he spoke with his mouth to my father David, saying, 5 Since the day that I brought forth my people out of the land of Egypt, I chose no city among all the tribes of Israel to build a house in, that my name might be there; neither did I choose any man to be a prince over my people Israel. 6 But I have chosen Jerusalem that my name might be there and have chosen David to be over my people Israel. 7 Now it was in the heart of David, my father, to build a house unto the name of the LORD God of Israel. 8 But the LORD said to David, my father, Forasmuch as it was in thy heart to build a house for my name, thou didst well in that it was in thy heart; 9 notwithstanding, thou shalt not build the house, but thy son which shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build a house for my name. 10 The LORD, therefore, has performed his word that he has spoken, for I am risen up in the place of David, my father, and am set on the throne of Israel, as the LORD had said, and have built the house unto the name of the LORD God of Israel. 11 And in it I have put the ark, in which is the covenant of the LORD that he made with the sons of Israel.