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le at Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles。 This feast was preeminently an occasion of rejoicing。 The labors of the harvest being ended and the toils of the new year not yet begun； the people were free from care and could give themselves up to the sacred； joyous influences of the hour。
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At the appointed time the hosts of Israel； with richly clad representatives from many foreign nations； assembled in the temple courts。 The scene was one of unusual splendor。 Solomon； with the elders of Israel and the most influential men among the people； had returned from another part of the city； whence they had brought the ark of the testament。 From the sanctuary on the heights of Gibeon had been transferred the ancient 〃tabernacle of the congregation； and all the holy vessels that were in the tabernacle〃 （2 Chronicles 5：5）； and these cherished reminders of the earlier experiences of the children of Israel during their wanderings in the wilderness and their conquest of Canaan； now found a permanent home in the splendid building that had been erected to take the place of the portable structure。
In bringing to the temple the sacred ark containing the two tables of stone on which were written by the finger of God the precepts of the Decalogue； Solomon had followed the example of his father David。 Every six paces he sacrificed。 With singing and with music and with great ceremony； 〃the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the Lord unto his place； to the oracle of the house； into the most holy place。〃 Verse 7。 As they came out of the inner sanctuary； they took the positions assigned them。 The singers Levites arrayed in white linen； having cymbals and psalteries and harpsstood at the east end of the altar； and with them a hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets。 See verse 12。
〃It came even to pass； as the trumpeters and singers were as one； to make one sound to be heard in praising and
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thanking the Lord； and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music； and praised the Lord； saying； For He is good； for His mercy endureth forever： that then the house was filled with a cloud； even the house of the Lord； so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud： for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God。〃 Verses 13；14。
Realizing the significance of this cloud； Solomon declared： 〃The Lord hath said that He would dwell in the thick darkness。 But I have built an house of habitation for Thee； and a place for Thy dwelling forever。〃 2 Chronicles 6：1；2。
〃The Lord reigneth； Let the people tremble： He sitteth between the cherubims； Let the earth be moved。 〃The Lord is great in Zion； And He is high above all the people。 Let them praise Thy great and terrible name； For it is holy。 。 。 。 〃Exalt ye the Lord our God； And worship at His footstool； For He is holy。〃 Psalm 99：1…5。
〃In the midst of the court〃 of the temple had been erected 〃a brazen scaffold；〃 or platform； 〃five cubits long； and five cubits broad； and three cubits high。〃 Upon this Solomon stood and with uplifted hands blessed the vast multitude before him。 〃And all the congregation of Israel stood。〃 2 Chronicles 6：13；3。
〃Blessed be the Lord God of Israel；〃 Solomon exclaimed； 〃who hath with His hands fulfilled that which He spake
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with His mouth to my father David； saying； 。 。 。 I have chosen Jerusalem； that My name might be there。〃 Verses 4…6。
Solomon then knelt upon the platform； and in the hearing of all the people offered the dedicatory prayer。 Lifting his hands toward heaven； while the congregation were bowed with their faces to the ground； the king pleaded： 〃Lord God of Israel； there is no God like Thee in the heaven； nor in the earth； which keepest covenant； and showest mercy unto Thy servants； that walk before Thee with all their heart。〃
〃Will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth？ Behold； heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain Thee； how much less this house which I have built？ Have respect therefore to the prayer of Thy servant； and to his supplication； O Lord my God； to hearken unto the cry and the prayer which Thy servant prayeth before Thee： that Thine eyes may be open upon this house day and night； upon the place whereof Thou hast said that Thou wouldest put Thy name there； to hearken unto the prayer which Thy servant prayeth toward this place。 Hearken therefore unto the supplications of Thy servant； and of Thy people Israel； which they shall make toward this place： hear Thou from Thy dwelling place； even from heaven； and when Thou hearest； forgive。 。 。 。
〃If Thy people Israel be put to the worse before the enemy； because they have sinned against Thee； and shall return and confess Thy name； and pray and make supplication before Thee in this house； then hear Thou from the heavens； and forgive the sin of Thy people Israel； and bring them again unto the land which Thou gavest to them and to their fathers。
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〃When the heaven is shut up； and there is no rain； because they have sinned against Thee； yet if they pray toward this place； and confess Thy name； and turn from their sin； when Thou dost afflict them； then hear Thou from heaven； and forgive the sin of Thy servants； and of Thy people Israel； when Thou hast taught them the good way； wherein they should walk； and send rain upon Thy land； which Thou hast given unto Thy people for an inheritance。
〃If there be dearth in the land； if there be pestilence； if there be blasting； or mildew； locusts； or caterpillars； if their enemies besiege them in the cities of their land； whatsoever sore or whatsoever sickness there be： then what prayer or what supplication soever shall be made of any man； or of all Thy people Israel； when everyone shall know his own sore and his own grief； and shall spread forth his hands in his house： then hear Thou from heaven Thy dwelling place； and forgive； and render unto every man according unto all his ways； whose heart Thou knowest； 。 。 。 that they may fear Thee； to walk in Thy ways； so long as they live in the land which Thou gavest unto our fathers。
〃Moreover concerning the stranger； which is not of Thy people Israel； but is come from a far country for Thy great name's sake； and Thy mighty hand； and Thy stretched…out arm； if they come and pray in this house； then hear Thou from the heavens； even from Thy dwelling place； and do according to all that the stranger calleth to Thee for； that all people of the earth may know Thy name； and fear Thee； as doth Thy people Israel； and may know that this house which I have built is called by Thy name。
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〃If Thy people go out to war against their enemies by the way that Thou shalt send them； and they pray unto Thee toward this city which Thou hast chosen； and the house which I have built for Thy name； then hear Thou from the heavens their prayer and their supplication； and maintain their cause。
〃If they sin against Thee； （for there is no man which sinneth not；） and Thou be angry with them； and deliver them over before their enemies； and they carry them away captives unto a land far off or near； yet if they bethink themselves in the land whither they are carried captive； and turn and pray unto Thee in the land of their captivity； saying； We have sinned； we have done amiss； and have dealt wickedly； if they return to Thee with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity； whither they have carried them captives； and pray toward their land； which Thou gavest unto their fathers； and toward the city which Thou hast chosen； and toward the house which I have built for Thy name： then hear Thou from the heavens； even from Thy dwelling place； their prayer and their supplications； and maintain their cause； and forgive Thy people which have sinned against Thee。
〃Now； my God； let； I beseech Thee； Thine eyes be open； and let Thine ears be attent unto the prayer that is made in this place。 Now therefore