It was the biggest day in the history of Israel apart from the Exodus.  Israel had for the most defeated its enemies, the land was at peace, Solomon was on the throne, and the biggest and most glorious temple in the world had finished construction.  It was now time for the dedication.

The first thing Solomon did was address all of Israel who had been standing for the dedication.  He recounted the history that led up to this moment and blessed the people, worshiping the Lord who had fulfilled His promise.

Then he did what all good kings do.  He kneeled.

He kneeled before God Almighty knowing that it was not his own hands that had made it all possible.  He kneeled before God, humbling himself and recognizing who was the true King.  And he kneeled to the one who had directed him and and his father David.

He blessed the Lord.  He acknowledged that God could not live in a temple made by man, but that it was to in some ways a geographic center and place of his presence.  He asked that whenever the people sinned, that when they came to their senses and repented, praying towards Jerusalem, that the LORD would forgive and heal.  And he prayed that God would arise and come to his place in the temple in Jerusalem so that the people of God could rejoice in His goodness.

It was a glorious day for a kneeling king.

“When Solomon finished praying, fire descended from heaven and consumed the burn offering and the sacrifices, and teh glory of the LORD filled the temple.  The priests were not able to enter the LORD’s temple because the glory of the LORD filled the temple of the LORD” (2 Chr 7:1).