5. King Solomon and all the Israelites gathered before the Ark and sacrificed so many sheep and cattle no one could count them all.
6. Then the priests put the Ark of the Agreement with the Lord in its place inside the Most Holy Place in the Temple, under the wings of the golden creatures.
7. The wings of these creatures were spread out over the place for the Ark, covering it and its carrying poles.
8. The carrying poles were so long that anyone standing in the Holy Place in front of the Most Holy Place could see the ends of the poles, but no one could see them from outside the Holy Place. The poles are still there today.
9. The only things inside the Ark were two stone tablets that Moses had put in the Ark at Mount Sinai. That was where the Lord made his agreement with the Israelites after they came out of Egypt.
41-42. “People who are not Israelites, foreigners from other lands, will hear about your greatness and power. They will come from far away to pray at this Temple.
43. Then hear from your home in heaven, and do whatever they ask you. Then people everywhere will know you and respect you, just as your people in Israel do. Then everyone will know I built this Temple as a place to worship you.
44. “When your people go out to fight their enemies along some road on which you send them, your people will pray to you, facing the city which you have chosen and the Temple I have built for you.
45. Then hear in heaven their prayers, and do what is right.
46. “Everyone sins, so your people will also sin against you. You will become angry with them and hand them over to their enemies. Their enemies will capture them and take them away to their countries far or near.
47. Your people will be sorry for their sins when they are held as prisoners in another country. They will be sorry and pray to you in the land where they are held as prisoners, saying, ‘We have sinned. We have done wrong and acted wickedly.’
48. They will truly turn back to you in the land of their enemies. They will pray to you, facing this land you gave their ancestors, this city you have chosen, and the Temple I have built for you.
49. Then hear their prayers from your home in heaven, and do what is right.
50. Forgive your people of all their sins and for turning against you. Make those who have captured them show them mercy.
51. Remember, they are your special people. You brought them out of Egypt, as if you were pulling them out of a blazing furnace.
52. “Give your attention to my prayers and the prayers of your people Israel. Listen to them anytime they ask you for help.
53. You chose them from all the nations on earth to be your very own people. This is what you promised through Moses your servant when you brought our ancestors out of Egypt, Lord God.”
54. Solomon prayed this prayer to the Lord, kneeling in front of the altar with his arms raised toward heaven. When he finished praying, he got up.
55. Then, in a loud voice, he stood and blessed all the people of Israel, saying: