1 Kings 8
BSA1 At that time [then, in a past era] Solomon [the king of peace] assembled [gathered, brought together] before him in Jerusalem [the city of peace, Zion] the elders [respected leaders, old men] of Israel [the descendants of Jacob, God’s chosen people]—all [every single one] the tribal heads [chiefs, princes] and family leaders [fathers, patriarchs] of the Israelites [the children of Israel, God’s covenant people]—to bring up [to ascend, to lift up] the ark [a chest, a box] of the covenant [a promise, an agreement] of the LORD [Yehovah, the supreme God] from Zion [a mountain], the City of David [the city of the beloved king, the ancestral home]. word study 2 And all [every single one, the entire assembly] the men [individuals, males] of Israel [the descendants of Jacob, God’s chosen people] came together [assembled, gathered] to King [the ruler, monarch] Solomon [the peaceful one] at the feast [festival, celebration] in the seventh month, the month of Ethanim [the month of abundance, October or November]. word study 3 When all [every single one, the entire assembly] the elders [responsible men, leaders] of Israel [the descendants of Jacob, God’s chosen people] had arrived [come, gathered], the priests [Levitical priests, spiritual leaders] took up [lifted, raised] the ark [the sacred chest], word study 4 and they brought up [to a higher place, ascended] the ark [a sacred chest] of the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God] and the Tent of Meeting [the tabernacle, a sacred dwelling place] with all [everything, the entirety] its sacred [holy, set apart] furnishings [utensils, vessels]. So the priests [spiritual leaders, mediators] and Levites [descendants of Levi, assistants to the priests] carried them up [bore the responsibility, lifted]. word study 5 There, before the ark [the sacred chest], King Solomon [the peaceful ruler] and the whole congregation [gathering, assembly] of Israel [God’s chosen people] who had assembled [come together, met] with him sacrificed [offered, slaughtered] so many sheep [flock, livestock] and oxen [cattle, domesticated animals] that they could not be counted [recounted, numbered] or numbered [tallied, accounted for]. word study 6 Then the priests [ministers of God, spiritual leaders] brought the ark [a sacred chest, container of the covenant] of the covenant [a promise or agreement between God and His people] of the LORD [Yehovah, the self-existent God] to its place [a designated location, a holy site] in the inner sanctuary [the most holy area, the divine dwelling] of the temple [the house of God, a place of worship], the Most Holy Place [the sacred innermost room, the divine throne room], beneath [under, in subjection to] the wings [the protecting and shielding presence] of the cherubim [heavenly guardians, divine messengers]. word study 7 For the cherubim [heavenly guardians, angelic beings] spread their wings [outstretched, covering] over the place [location, sacred area] of the ark [the covenant chest, God’s throne] and overshadowed [covered, protected] the ark [the sacred container] and its poles [carrying bars, staves]. word study 8 The poles [staves, bars] extended far enough that their ends were visible [seen, appeared] from the Holy Place [sanctuary, set-apart area] in front of the inner sanctuary [the most holy place, the oracle], but not from outside [beyond, without] the Holy Place; and they are there [remain, stay] to this day [until now, continually]. word study 9 There was nothing [absence of anything, emptiness] in the ark [a sacred chest, the Ark of the Covenant] except the two [a pair, dual] stone [made of rock, a lasting material] tablets [polished slabs, written records] that Moses [the Israelite leader, a prophet] had placed [to rest, to settle] in it at Horeb [Mount Sinai, a sacred mountain], where the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God] had made [to cut, to establish] a covenant [an agreement, a promise] with the Israelites [the descendants of Jacob, God’s chosen people] after they had come out [to exit, to depart] of the land [the earth, a territory] of Egypt [a country in northeastern Africa, a place of bondage]. word study 10 And when the priests [the spiritual leaders, ministers of God] came out [emerged, departed] of the Holy Place [the sacred sanctuary, set-apart area], the cloud filled [to make full, complete] the house [the temple, dwelling place] of the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God] word study 11 so that the priests [the spiritual leaders, ministers of God] could not stand [remain, endure] there to minister [serve, worship] because of the cloud [divine glory]; for the glory [honor, splendor, divine radiance] of the LORD [Yehovah, the supreme God] filled [completed, made full] the house [temple, dwelling place] of the LORD [the Lord’s presence, sacred space]. word study 12 Then [at that time, previously] Solomon [the king of Israel, successor of David] declared: “The LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] has said [spoken, commanded] that He would dwell [reside, live among] in the thick [heavy, dark] cloud [darkness, gloom]. word study 13 I have indeed [surely, certainly] built [constructed, established] You an exalted [lofty, elevated] house [temple, dwelling place], a place [residence, habitation] for You to dwell [reside, abide] forever [always, eternally].” word study 14 And as the whole [entire, complete] assembly [gathering, congregation] of Israel [God’s chosen people, descendants of Jacob] stood [standing upright, in reverence] there, the king [ruler, monarch] turned [to face, surround] around and blessed [praised, honored] them all [every single one, the entire group] word study 15 and said: “Blessed [praised, honored] be the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God], the God [Elohim, the supreme God] of Israel [the symbolic name of Jacob and his descendants], who has fulfilled [completed, made full] with His own hand [power, strength] what He spoke [declared, commanded] with His mouth [lips, voice] to my father [ancestor, progenitor] David, saying [declaring, promising], word study 16 ‘Since the day [from the very beginning, the time when] I brought My people [My chosen nation] Israel out of Egypt [a place of bondage, slavery], I have not chosen [selected, appointed] a city [a place of dwelling, a metropolis] from any tribe [a group of people, a family] of Israel in which to build [construct, establish] a house [a temple, a dwelling place] so that My Name [My identity, My character] would be there [in that place, present]. But I have chosen [selected, appointed] David [a king, a leader] to be over [to rule, to lead] My people [My nation, My family] Israel [My chosen ones, My descendants].’ word study 17 Now it was in the heart [innermost being, mind and will] of my father [ancestor, progenitor] David [beloved of God] to build [establish, construct] a house [temple, dwelling place] for the Name [reputation, character] of the LORD [Yehovah, the self-existent God], the God [Elohim, supreme Deity] of Israel [God’s chosen people]. word study 18 But the LORD [Yehovah, the self-existent God] said to my father [ancestor, progenitor] David, ‘Since it was in your heart [mind, will, and emotions] to build [construct, establish] a house [temple, dwelling place] for My Name [reputation, character, and authority], you have done well [acted pleasingly, been faithful] to have this in your heart [to have had this desire and intention]. word study 19 Nevertheless, you [as an individual, personally] are not the one to build [construct, establish] it; but your son [offspring, descendant], your own [flesh and blood] offspring, will build [construct, establish] the house [temple, dwelling place] for My Name [My reputation, My character, who I am].’ word study 20 Now the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] has fulfilled [established, performed] the word [promise, declaration] that He spoke [communicated, uttered]. I have succeeded [risen up, taken the place of] my father David [the youngest son of Jesse, a king of Israel], and I sit [dwell, remain] on the throne [seat of power, authority] of Israel [the symbolic name of Jacob, referring to his descendants], as the LORD [Yehovah, the supreme God] promised [spoke, declared]. I have built [constructed, established] the house [dwelling place, temple] for the Name [identity, honor, character] of the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God], the God [Elohim, the supreme God] of Israel [the symbolic name of Jacob, referring to his descendants]. word study 21 And there [in that specific location, at that point in time] I have provided [set, appointed, established] a place [location, dwelling] for the ark [box, chest, container of the covenant], which contains [holds, preserves] the covenant [agreement, promise, treaty] of the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] that He made [cut, established, ratified] with our fathers [ancestors, forefathers, patriarchs] when He brought them out [led them forth, delivered them] of the land [country, territory, region] of Egypt [a country in northeastern Africa].” word study 22 Then Solomon [the king of Israel] stood [in a strong sense] before [in the presence of, facing] the altar [a place of sacrifice] of the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] in front of [before, in the sight of] the whole [all, everything] assembly [congregation, a group of people gathered together] of Israel [the symbolic name of Jacob, referring to his descendants], spread out [stretching out, scattering] his hands [palms] toward [toward the direction of] heaven [the visible universe, the abode of God], word study 23 and said: “O LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God], God [Elohim, the supreme Creator] of Israel, there is no God [like the one true God] like You in heaven [the spiritual realm] above or on earth [the physical world] below, keeping [preserving, protecting] Your covenant [promise, agreement] of loving devotion [kindness, mercy] with Your servants [those who serve, obey] who walk [follow, obey] before You with all their hearts [entire being, inner self]. word study 24 You have kept [faithfully fulfilled, watched over] Your promise [covenant, solemn vow] to Your servant [faithful attendant, bondslave], my father David [the king]. What You spoke [uttered, declared] with Your mouth [lips, voice] You have fulfilled [accomplished, brought to pass] with Your hand [power, direction] this day [at this present time, as it is now]. word study 25 Therefore now [at this time, in this moment], O LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God], God [Elohim, the supreme Deity] of Israel, keep [protect, watch over, fulfill] for Your servant [one who serves, a bondservant], my father David, what You promised [spoke, declared] when You said: ‘You will never fail [be cut off, come to an end] to have a man [a descendant, an heir] to sit [dwell, reign] before Me on the throne [the seat of power, the kingdom] of Israel, if only [except, provided that] your descendants [sons, children] guard [watch, keep] their way [path, manner of life] to walk [live, conduct themselves] before Me as you have done [walked, lived].’ word study 26 And now [at this time, presently], O God [Elohim, the supreme God] of Israel [the descendants of Jacob], please [I pray, I implore] confirm [establish, verify] what You promised [spoke, uttered] to Your servant [slave, bondservant], my father [ancestor, patriarch] David [the youngest son of Jesse, a king of Israel]. word study 27 But will God [the supreme Creator, Elohim] indeed dwell [reside, have a fixed abode] upon [on or above] the earth [the land, the material world]? Even heaven [the visible sky], the highest heaven [the heaven of heavens, the spiritual realm], cannot contain [hold or sustain] You, much less [how much more impossible is it for] this temple [the house, the place of worship] I have built [constructed, established]. word study 28 Yet regard [have respect unto, turn towards] the prayer [supplication, humble request] and plea [petition, cry for help] of Your servant [slave, one who serves], O LORD [Yehovah, the Lord God] my God [Elohim, the supreme God], so that You may hear [listen to, give attention to] the cry [loud, ringing cry, shout for joy] and the prayer [petition, supplication] that Your servant [one who serves] is praying [making supplication, interceding] before You [in Your presence, face to face] today [on this day, at this time]. word study 29 May Your eyes [watchful and attentive] be open toward this temple [house of worship] night and day, toward the place [location of Your presence] of which You said, ‘My Name [identity and character] shall be there [in this specific location],’ so that You may hear [listen and respond to] the prayer [supplication and request] that Your servant [faithful follower and worshiper] prays toward this place [directing their heart and thoughts to You]. word study 30 Hear [listen attentively, give heed to] the plea [supplication, humble request] of Your servant [faithful attendant, one who serves] and of Your people [nation, those belonging to You] Israel [descendants of Jacob, God’s chosen] when they pray [intercede, make petition] toward [in the direction of, facing] this place [specific location, holy site]. May You hear [pay attention, respond] from heaven [the celestial realm], Your dwelling place [residence, throne room]. May You hear [listen, heed] and forgive [pardon, show mercy, release from guilt]. word study 31 When a man [individual, person] sins [misses the mark, rebels] against his neighbor [fellow, companion] and is required [obligated, bound] to take an oath [promise, vow], and he comes [approaches, draws near] to take an oath [swear, pledge] before Your altar [place of sacrifice, sacred table] in this temple [house, sacred dwelling], word study 32 then may You [listen from heaven, hear from above] hear from heaven and act [judge and intervene]. May You judge [vindicate and govern] Your servants, condemning the wicked man [the guilty, the unrighteous] by bringing down on his own head [punishing him accordingly] what he has done, and justifying [declaring righteous, making right] the righteous man [the just, the innocent] by rewarding him according to his righteousness [his moral integrity, his right standing with God]. word study 33 When Your people [nation, descendants] Israel [symbolic name of Jacob, God’s chosen] are defeated [struck down, smitten] before an enemy [adversary, one who opposes] because they have sinned [missed the mark, gone wrong] against You, and they return [turn back, come again] to You and confess [acknowledge, give thanks for] Your name [identity, honor, character], praying [interceding, seeking guidance] and pleading [making supplication, seeking favor] with You in this temple [house, dwelling place], word study 34 then may You [hear and listen attentively] hear from heaven [the abode of God, the visible universe] and forgive [pardon, show mercy] the sin [guilt, rebellion] of Your people [nation, community] Israel [descendants of Jacob]. May You restore [bring back, return] them to the land [earth, ground] You gave [granted, bestowed] to their fathers [ancestors, forefathers]. word study 35 When the skies [heaven, the visible universe] are shut [restrained, held back] and there is no [absence of] rain [water from the sky] because Your people have sinned [missed the mark, gone wrong] against You, and they pray [intercede, make requests] toward [to, in the direction of] this place [location, location of worship] and confess [acknowledge, admit] Your name [identity, character], and they turn [return, change direction] from their sins [guilt, wrongdoing] because You have afflicted [oppressed, humbled] them, word study 36 then may You [hear and listen, give attention] hear from heaven [the dwelling place of God] and forgive [pardon, show mercy] the sin [guilt, rebellion] of Your servants [those who serve and obey], Your people Israel [the chosen nation, descendants of Jacob], so that You may teach [guide, instruct] them the good [beneficial, pleasing] way [path, manner of life] in which they should walk [live, conduct their lives]. May You send [give, provide] rain [water from the sky, a blessing] on the land [the earth, the promised inheritance] that You gave [bestowed, entrusted] Your people as an inheritance [a possession, a gift]. word study 37 When [severe, widespread] famine [or hunger, scarcity of food] or plague [pestilence, disease] comes upon the land [the earth, a country], or blight [destruction of crops] or mildew [a type of fungal disease] or locusts [grasshoppers, devastating insects] or grasshoppers [locusts, creeping things], or when their enemy [adversary, one who hates them] besieges them in their cities [surrounds, attacks their towns], whatever plague [affliction, calamity] or sickness [disease, infirmity] may come [happen, occur], word study 38 then may whatever [humble and sincere] prayer [or supplication, a heartfelt request] or petition [a plea for favor or mercy] Your people Israel [Your chosen nation, descendants of Jacob] make—each knowing [being aware of, acknowledging] his own afflictions [troubles, plagues, or diseases] and spreading out [stretching forth, extending] his hands [palms, in a gesture of surrender] toward [in the direction of, facing] this temple [this sacred house, the place of worship]— word study 39 be heard by You [from Your heavenly throne] from heaven [the spiritual realm, the dwelling place of God], Your dwelling place [the fixed place where You live]. And may You forgive [show mercy, pardon] and act [do, make], and repay [give, render] each man according to all his ways [the path he chooses, his manner of life], since You know [are acquainted with, understand] his heart [the innermost part of his being, his mind and will]—for You alone [by Yourself, without any help] know [are familiar with, perceive] the hearts [the innermost thoughts and feelings] of all men— word study 40 so that they may [stand in awe of, revere] fear [with reverence and respect] You all the days [of their lifetime, every moment] they live [are alive, breathing] in the land [the earth, the ground] that [which, the specific one] You gave [bestowed, provided] to our [ancestors’, forebears] fathers. word study 41 And as for the foreigner [stranger, non-Israelite] who is not of Your people Israel [Your chosen nation] but has come from a distant [far away, remote] land because of Your name [Your reputation, glory]— word study 42 for they will hear [and listen obediently] of Your great [exalted, renowned] name and mighty [strong, powerful] hand and outstretched [stretched out, extended] arm—when he comes [approaches, enters] and prays [intercedes, makes petition] toward [in the direction of, facing] this temple [house, dwelling place], word study 43 then may You [the personal God] hear from heaven [the dwelling place of God], Your dwelling place [the foundation of Your presence], and do according to all [everything] for which the foreigner [the stranger or non-Israelite] calls to You [invokes Your name]. Then all the peoples [nations or tribes] of the earth [the land or world] will know Your name [Your character and reputation] and fear You [revere and worship You], as do Your people Israel [the chosen nation], and they will know that this house [the temple or place of worship] I have built [constructed and established] is called by Your Name [identified with Your presence]. word study 44 When Your people [nation, those chosen by God] go to war [battle, armed conflict] against their enemies [adversaries, those who oppose], wherever You send [dispatch, commission] them, and when they pray [intercede, petition] to the LORD [Yehovah, the self-existent God] in the direction of the city [urban center, place of gathering] You have chosen [selected, appointed] and the house [dwelling place, temple] I have built [constructed, established] for Your Name [reputation, character], word study 45 then may You hear [listen attentively, give heed] from heaven [the abode of God, the spiritual realm] their prayer [supplication, request for favor] and their plea [humble request, cry for grace], and may You uphold [maintain, do justice to] their cause [right, justice]. word study 46 When they sin [miss the mark, go wrong] against You—for there is no one who does not sin [fall short, disobey]—and You become angry [displeased, enraged] with them and deliver them to an enemy [adversary, oppressor] who takes them as captives [prisoners of war] to his own land, whether far [distant, remote] or near [close, neighboring], word study 47 and when they come to their senses [return to their right mind, bethink themselves] in the land [country, territory] to which they were taken, and they repent [turn again, make supplication] and plead with You in the land [region, territory] of their captors, saying, ‘We have sinned [missed the mark, gone wrong] and done wrong [acted perversely, twisted]; we have acted wickedly [committed wickedness, done evil],’ word study 48 and when they return [with complete sincerity, turning back] to You with all [every aspect of] their heart [innermost being, mind, and will] and soul [living being, essence] in the land [territory, region] of the enemies [adversaries, those who oppose] who took them captive [as prisoners, led them away], and when they pray [intercede, make their request] to You in the direction [toward, facing] of the land [country, inheritance] that You gave [provided, entrusted] to their fathers [ancestors, forefathers], the city [settlement, dwelling place] You have chosen [selected, appointed], and the house [temple, dwelling] I have built [constructed, established] for Your Name [reputation, character, identity], word study 49 then may You hear [from Your heavenly throne] from heaven [the visible universe], Your dwelling place, their prayer [supplication, humble request] and petition [cry for help], and may You uphold [maintain, do justice for] their cause [righteous judgment, justice]. word study 50 May You forgive [pardon, show mercy to] Your people [nation, those who belong to You] who have sinned [missed the mark, rebelled] against You and all the transgressions [rebellions, acts of disobedience] they have committed [done, carried out] against You, and may You grant [give, bestow upon] them compassion [tender love, mercy] in the eyes [presence, sight] of their captors [those who have taken them prisoner] to show [demonstrate, have] them mercy [kindness, pity]. word study 51 For [as a reason, because] they are Your people [a nation, Your special possession] and Your inheritance [a gift, a legacy]; You brought [led, guided] them out of Egypt [a land of bondage, slavery], out of the furnace [a place of refining, purification] for iron [a metal]. word study 52 May Your eyes [sources of divine insight] be open [fully attentive and aware] to the pleas [supplications, humble requests] of Your servant [faithful follower, one who serves] and of Your people Israel [the nation chosen by God], and may You listen [heed and respond] to them whenever they call [cry out, invoke Your name] to You [toward Your presence]. word study 53 For You, O Lord [Adonay, Master] GOD [Yehovah], as Your inheritance [a people set apart, a treasured possession], have set them apart [separated, distinguished] from all the peoples [nations, tribes] of the earth [land, world], as You spoke [declared, commanded] through Your servant [faithful messenger] Moses when You brought our fathers out of Egypt [a place of bondage, slavery].” word study 54 Now when Solomon [the king of Israel] had finished [completed, brought to an end] praying [to intercede, to petition] this entire [all, everything] prayer [supplication, request for favor] and petition [humble request, supplication] to the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God], he got up [rose, stood up] before the altar [place of sacrifice, where offerings are made] of the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God], where he had been kneeling [bending his knees, bowing down] with his hands [palms] spread out [stretched forth, extended] toward heaven [the sky, the abode of God]. word study 55 And he stood [in a strong sense, firmly established] and blessed [to praise or honor God, kneeling in worship] the whole [all, everything] assembly [congregation, group of people gathered] of Israel [Jacob’s descendants, God’s chosen people] in a loud [great, powerful] voice [sound, spoken words], saying [to speak, command, or proclaim]: word study 56 “Blessed [praised, worshiped] be the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God], who has given [granted, provided] rest [a state of peace, quietness] to His people [nation, community] Israel [the descendants of Jacob] according to [in fulfillment of, as promised] all [everything, every promise] that He promised [spoke, vowed]. Not [none, no] one word [promise, statement] has failed [been broken, fallen short] of all [every, each] the good [beneficial, pleasant] promises [vows, covenants] He made [spoke, declared] through [by the hand of, through the agency of] His servant [attendant, messenger] Moses. word study 57 May the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] our God [Elohim, the one supreme God] be with [together, in fellowship] us, as He was with [in the company of, accompanying] our fathers [ancestors, forefathers]. May He never [at no time, not ever] leave [abandon, relinquish] us nor [not, nothing] forsake [loosen, abandon] us. word study 58 May He [to stretch] incline our hearts [the innermost part of a person, including mind, will, and emotions] to Himself [toward], to walk [to move from one place to another] in all [everything] His ways [a road or path, a way of life] and to keep [to protect, attend to, or guard] the commandments [a command or law given by God] and statutes [a decree or law given by God] and ordinances [justice or judgment] He commanded [to give orders] our fathers [whether literal or figurative]. word study 59 And may these words [with which I have prayed, my supplication] with which I have made my petition [my humble request, my prayer] before the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God] be near [close, intimate] to the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God] our God [Elohim, our supreme Judge] day and night [continually, at all times], so that He may uphold [maintain, support] the cause [justice, righteous judgment] of His servant [His faithful one, His bondservant] and of His people [His nation, His chosen ones] Israel [the descendants of Jacob, God’s chosen people] as each day [daily, every day] requires [needs, demands], word study 60 so that all [every single one] the peoples [nations, tribes] of the earth [land, world] may know [learn, perceive, understand] that the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] is God [Elohim, the supreme God]. There is no [nothing, none] other [besides Him, except Him]! word study 61 So let your heart [the innermost part of your being, including mind, will, and emotions] be fully devoted [completely committed, perfect] to the LORD [Yehovah, the supreme God] our God [Elohim, the one true God], as it is this day [at this present time], to walk [to live, to follow] in His statutes [decrees, laws] and to keep [to obey, to guard] His commandments [laws, rules].” word study 62 Then the king [ruler, monarch] and all [everything, every person] Israel [God’s chosen people] with him [together, in accompaniment] offered [presented, slaughtered] sacrifices [gifts, offerings to God] before [in the presence of, facing] the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God]. word study 63 And Solomon [the king of peace] offered as peace offerings [sacrifices of thanksgiving, fellowship offerings] to the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God] 22,000 oxen [cattle, domesticated animals] and 120,000 [a hundred and twenty thousand] sheep [a flock, a multitude]. So the king [the monarch, the ruler] and all [every single one, the entirety of] the Israelites [the descendants of Jacob, the children of God] dedicated [set apart, consecrated] the house [the temple, the dwelling place] of the LORD [Yehovah, the Almighty God]. word study 64 On that same day [the very same, at that exact time] the king [the monarch, ruler] consecrated [set apart, dedicated] the middle [central, innermost] of the courtyard [open area, outer court] in front of [before, in the presence of] the house [temple, dwelling place] of the LORD [Yehovah, the Lord God], and there [in that place, at that location] he offered [presented, sacrificed] the burnt offerings [completely consumed, utterly given], the grain offerings [gifts of thanksgiving, tribute], and the fat [richest, choicest part] of the peace offerings [sacrifices of fellowship, communion], since [because, for the reason that] the bronze [copper, metallic] altar [place of sacrifice, table] before [in the presence of, facing] the LORD [Yehovah, the Lord God] was too small [insufficient, limited] to contain [hold, sustain] all these offerings [gifts, sacrifices]. word study 65 So at that time [when the occasion was right] Solomon [the king of peace] and all Israel [the chosen people] with him—a great [large, numerous] assembly [gathering, congregation] of people from Lebo-hamath [the entrance of Hamath] to the Brook [river, stream] of Egypt—kept the feast [celebrated, observed a festival] before the LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God] our God [Elohim, the supreme Creator] for seven days and seven more days—fourteen [two weeks, a double period] days in all. word study 66 On the [eighth, following the seventh] fifteenth day Solomon sent the people away [to their homes, to their tents]. So they blessed [praised, honored] the king and went home, joyful [rejoicing, glad] and glad [happy, pleased] in heart [their inner being, their emotions] for all the good things [goodness, welfare, blessings] that the LORD [Yehovah, the Lord God] had done [accomplished, performed] for His servant [faithful attendant, devoted follower] David and for His people [nation, community] Israel. word study