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1 Kings 8:21-54 (CEV)
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21 I've also made a place in the temple for the sacred chest. And in that chest are the two flat stones on which is written the solemn agreement the LORD made with our ancestors when he led them out of Egypt. 22 Solomon stood facing the altar with everyone standing behind him. Then he lifted his arms toward heaven 23 and prayed: LORD God of Israel, no other god in heaven or on earth is like you! You never forget the agreement you made with your people, and you are loyal to anyone who faithfully obeys your teachings. 24 My father David was your servant, and today you have kept every promise you made to him. 25 LORD God of Israel, you promised my father that someone from his family would always be king of Israel, if they do their best to obey you, just as he did. 26 Please keep this promise you made to your servant David. 27 There's not enough room in all of heaven for you, LORD God. How could you possibly live on earth in this temple I have built? 28 But I ask you to answer my prayer. 29 This is the temple where you have chosen to be worshiped. Please watch over it day and night and listen when I turn toward it and pray. 30 I am your servant, and the people of Israel belong to you. So whenever any of us look toward this temple and pray, answer from your home in heaven and forgive our sins. 31 Suppose someone accuses a person of a crime, and the accused has to stand in front of the altar in your temple and say, "I swear I am innocent!" 32 Listen from heaven and decide who is right. Then punish the guilty person and let the innocent one go free. 33 Suppose your people Israel sin against you, and then an enemy defeats them. If they come to this temple and beg for forgiveness, 34 listen from your home in heaven. Forgive them and bring them back to the land you gave their ancestors. 35 Suppose your people sin against you, and you punish them by holding back the rain. If they turn toward this temple and pray in your name and stop sinning, 36 listen from your home in heaven and forgive them. The people of Israel are your servants, so teach them to live right. And please send rain on the land you promised them forever. 37 Sometimes the crops may dry up or rot or be eaten by locusts or grasshoppers, and your people will be starving. Sometimes enemies may surround their towns, or your people will become sick with deadly diseases. 38 Listen when anyone in Israel truly feels sorry and sincerely prays with arms lifted toward your temple. 39 You know what is in everyone's heart. So from your home in heaven answer their prayers, according to the way they live and what is in their hearts. 40 Then your people will worship and obey you for as long as they live in the land you gave their ancestors. 41 Foreigners will hear about you and your mighty power, and some of them will come to live among your people Israel. If any of them pray toward this temple, 42 (SEE 8:41) 43 listen from your home in heaven and answer their prayers. Then everyone on earth will worship you, just like your people Israel, and they will know that I have built this temple to honor you. 44 Our LORD, sometimes you will order your people to attack their enemies. Then your people will turn toward this temple I have built for you in your chosen city, and they will pray to you. 45 Answer their prayers from heaven and give them victory. 46 Everyone sins. But when your people sin against you, suppose you get angry enough to let their enemies drag them away to foreign countries. 47 Later, they may feel sorry for what they did and ask your forgiveness. Answer them when they pray toward this temple I have built for you in your chosen city, here in this land you gave their ancestors. From your home in heaven, listen to their sincere p 48 (SEE 8:47) 49 (SEE 8:47) 50 Forgive your people no matter how much they have sinned against you. Make the enemies who defeated them be kind to them. 51 Remember, they are the people you chose and rescued from Egypt that was like a blazing fire to them. 52 I am your servant, and the people of Israel belong to you. So listen when any of us pray and cry out for your help. 53 When you brought our ancestors out of Egypt, you told your servant Moses to say to them, "From all people on earth, the LORD God has chosen you to be his very own." 54 When Solomon finished his prayer at the altar, he was kneeling with his arms lifted toward heaven. He stood up,
This passage relates to the following topic(s):
(v. 39) Heart - God alone knows the hearts of all men
(v. 39) Strength / Sovereignty / Power - God alone knows the hearts of all men
(v. 46) Sin / Wickedness / Satan - There is no one who does not sin
This passage relates to the following question(s):
(v. 21) Should we pray in public or in private? Solomon stood in front of the whole assembly of Israel and prayed
This passage is referenced in the following quiet time(s):
(v. 22) Be Still My Soul - Postures (2008-03-28)
(v. 37) Followup - Heart Surgery (2011-01-21)
(v. 38) Followup - Heart Surgery (2011-01-21)
(v. 38) Prayer of the Righeous - God is a Consuming Fire (part II) (2013-01-06)
(v. 39) Followup - Heart Surgery (2011-01-21)
(v. 40) Followup - Heart Surgery (2011-01-21)
Definition(s):
David (Deh-vidd): well-beloved, dear
Egypt (Ee-jipt): that troubles or oppresses; anguish
Israel (Iz-rehl): who prevails with God
Israel (Is-ra-el): who prevails with God
Moses (Moh-ziz): taken out; drawn forth
Solomon (Sol-om-on): peaceable; perfect; one who recompenses
So (Soh):
