They reserved the burnt offerings and the cattle for the family divisions of the people to present to the <sc>Lordsc>, as prescribed in the scroll of Moses.<n id="1" />

All the leaders of the priests and people became more unfaithful and committed the same horrible sins practiced by the nations.<n id="1" /> They defiled the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s temple which he had consecrated in Jerusalem.p>

They burned down the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s temple and tore down the wall of Jerusalem.<n id="1" /> They burned all its fortified buildings and destroyed all its valuable items.

<p class="bodytext">Solomon sent a message to King Huram<n id="1" /> of Tyre:<n id="2" /> &#8220;Help me<n id="3" /> as you did my father David, when you sent him cedar logs<n id="4" /> for the construction of his palace.<n id="5" />

Look, I am ready to build a temple to honor<n id="1" /> the <sc>Lordsc> my God and to dedicate it to him in order to burn fragrant incense before him, to set out the bread that is regularly displayed,<n id="2" /> and to offer burnt sacrifices each morning and evening, and on Sabbaths, new moon festivals, and at other times appointed by the <sc>Lordsc> our God. This is something Israel must do on a permanent basis.<n id="3" />

<t /><p class="bodytext">Solomon began building the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s temple in Jerusalem<n id="1" /> on Mount Moriah, where the <sc>Lordsc> had appeared to his father David. This was the place that David prepared at the threshing floor of Ornan<n id="2" /> the Jebusite.

The combined wing span of the cherubs was 30 feet.<n id="1" /> One of the first cherub&#8217;s wings was seven and one-half feet long and touched one wall of the temple; its other wing was also seven and one-half feet long and touched one of the second cherub&#8217;s wings.<n id="2" />

&#8220;The Sea&#8221; stood on top of twelve bulls. Three faced northward, three westward, three southward, and three eastward. &#8220;The Sea&#8221; was placed on top of them, and they all faced outward.<n id="1" />

<p class="bodytext">Huram Abi<n id="1" /> made the pots, shovels, and bowls. He finished all the work on God&#8217;s temple he had been assigned by King Solomon.<n id="2" />

He told David,<n id="1" /> &#8216;Since the day I brought my people out of the land of Egypt, I have not chosen a city from all the tribes of Israel to build a temple in which to live.<n id="2" /> Nor did I choose a man as leader of my people Israel.

The <sc>Lordsc> has kept the promise he made. I have taken my father David&#8217;s place and have occupied the throne of Israel, as the <sc>Lordsc> promised. I have built this temple for the honor of the <sc>Lordsc> God of Israel

<p class="bodytext">&#8220;God does not really live with humankind on the earth!<n id="1" /> Look, if the sky and the highest heaven cannot contain you, how much less this temple I have built!

Night and day may you watch over this temple, the place where you promised you would live.<n id="1" /> May you answer your servant&#8217;s prayer for this place.<n id="2" />

When all your people Israel pray and ask for help,<n id="1" /> as they acknowledge their intense pain<n id="2" /> and spread out their hands toward this temple,

<p class="bodytext">&#8220;Foreigners, who do not belong to your people Israel, will come from a distant land because of your great reputation<n id="1" /> and your ability to accomplish mighty deeds;<n id="2" /> they will come and direct their prayers toward this temple.

<p class="bodytext">&#8220;When you direct your people to march out and fight their enemies,<n id="1" /> and they direct their prayers to you toward this chosen city and this temple I built for your honor,<n id="2" />

When they return to you with all their heart and being<n id="1" /> in the land where they are held prisoner and direct their prayers toward the land you gave to their ancestors, your chosen city, and the temple I built for your honor,<n id="2" />

When all the Israelites saw the fire come down and the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s splendor over the temple, they got on their knees with their faces downward toward the pavement. They worshiped and gave thanks to the <sc>Lordsc>, saying,<n id="1" /> &#8220;Certainly he is good; certainly his loyal love endures!&#8221;p>

King Solomon sacrificed 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep. Then the king and all the people dedicated God&#8217;s temple.

then I will remove you<n id="1" /> from my land I have given you,<n id="2" /> I will abandon this temple I have consecrated with my presence,<n id="3" /> and I will make you<n id="4" /> an object of mockery and ridicule<n id="5" /> among all the nations.