(לח) וּבַשָּׁנָה֩ הָאַחַ֨ת עֶשְׂרֵ֜ה בְּיֶ֣רַח בּ֗וּל ה֚וּא הַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַשְּׁמִינִ֔י כָּלָ֣ה הַבַּ֔יִת לְכָל־דְּבָרָ֖יו וּלְכָל־משפטו [מִשְׁפָּטָ֑יו] וַיִּבְנֵ֖הוּ שֶׁ֥בַע שָׁנִֽים׃
(38) and in the eleventh year, in the month of Bul—that is, the eighth month—the House was completed according to all its details and all its specifications. It took him seven years to build it.
(א) בְּיֶרַח בּוּל. הוּא מַרְחֶשְׁוָן, שֶׁהָעֵשֶׂב בָּלָה בַשָּׂדֶה, וּבוֹלְלִין לַבְּהֵמָה מִן הַבַּיִת, מִלְּשׁוֹן: וַיָּבָל לַחֲמוֹרִים.
(1) In the month of Bul. This is [the month of] Mar Cheshvan;49The Flood [מבול] during Noach’s time began in the month of Marcheshvan. [when] the grass in the field decays, and cattle is given fodder from what is stored, from the expression “and he gave fodder [ויבל] to the donkeys.”50Shoftim 19:21.
(א) בְּיֶרַח הָאֵתָנִים. תִּרְגֵּם יוֹנָתָן: בְּיַרְחָא דְּעַתִּיקַיָּא דְּקָרַן לֵהּ יַרְחָא קַדְמָאָה בְּחַגָּא וּכְעָן הוּא יַרְחָא שְׁבִיעָאָה, מִשֶּׁנִּתְּנָה תוֹרָה וּכְתִיב בְּנִיסָן שֶׁהוּא רֹאשׁ חֳדָשִׁים, נִקְרָא תִּשְׁרֵי שְׁבִיעִי.
(1) In the month Eisonim. [Targum] Yonoson rendered, “In the month which people of the ancient times called the first month, on the festival, and at present it is the seventh month,” i.e., since the Torah was given, and it is written in the month of Nissan which it is the first of the months, [therefore,] Tishrei3Although the construction of the Beis Hamikdosh was completed in the eighth month of the previous year [see above 6:38], Shlomo postponed its dedication until the following Tishrei. is called the seventh [month].4איתן means “mighty” and ירח האיתנים refers to the month of Tishrei which has the strongest spiritual effect for people to improve themselves because of the holidays celebrated during Tishrei—Ralbag. Alternatively, איתנים alludes to the Patriarchs. See Maseches Rosh Hashana 11a.
(א) בירח האתנים. חודש תשרי נקרא ירח האתנים, מלשון איתן וחוזק, על שם כי בחודש תשרי הם המועדים היותר חזקים, ומיישרים את האדם אל השלמות:
(ב) וַיִּקָּ֨הֲל֜וּ אֶל־הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹה֙ כָּל־אִ֣ישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בְּיֶ֥רַח הָאֵֽתָנִ֖ים בֶּחָ֑ג ה֖וּא הַחֹ֥דֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִֽי׃ (ג) וַיָּבֹ֕אוּ כֹּ֖ל זִקְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיִּשְׂא֥וּ הַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים אֶת־הָאָרֽוֹן׃ (ד) וַֽיַּעֲל֞וּ אֶת־אֲר֤וֹן ה' וְאֶת־אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֔ד וְאֶֽת־כָּל־כְּלֵ֥י הַקֹּ֖דֶשׁ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּאֹ֑הֶל וַיַּעֲל֣וּ אֹתָ֔ם הַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים וְהַלְוִיִּֽם׃ (ה) וְהַמֶּ֣לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹ֗ה וְכָל־עֲדַ֤ת יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ הַנּוֹעָדִ֣ים עָלָ֔יו אִתּ֖וֹ לִפְנֵ֣י הָֽאָר֑וֹן מְזַבְּחִים֙ צֹ֣אן וּבָקָ֔ר אֲשֶׁ֧ר לֹֽא־יִסָּפְר֛וּ וְלֹ֥א יִמָּנ֖וּ מֵרֹֽב׃ (ו) וַיָּבִ֣אוּ הַ֠כֹּהֲנִים אֶת־אֲר֨וֹן בְּרִית־ה' אֶל־מְקוֹמ֛וֹ אֶל־דְּבִ֥יר הַבַּ֖יִת אֶל־קֹ֣דֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִׁ֑ים אֶל־תַּ֖חַת כַּנְפֵ֥י הַכְּרוּבִֽים׃
(2) All the men of Israel gathered before King Solomon at the Feast, in the month of Ethanim—that is, the seventh month. (3) When all the elders of Israel had come, the priests lifted the Ark (4) and carried up the Ark of the LORD. Then the priests and the Levites brought the Tent of Meeting and all the holy vessels that were in the Tent. (5) Meanwhile, King Solomon and the whole community of Israel, who were assembled with him before the Ark, were sacrificing sheep and oxen in such abundance that they could not be numbered or counted. (6) The priests brought the Ark of the LORD’s Covenant to its place underneath the wings of the cherubim, in the Shrine of the House, in the Holy of Holies;
Note: Ask the students to find out when the ימי המלואים למשכן took place. With what holiday was the Chanukat Hamishkan associated? Based on the calendar: Why would it have made more sense for Shlomo to follow Moshe's precedent? How does ירח האתנים help us understand why he did not do so? We might want to come back to this after completing the analysis.
(א) ויעש וכו׳. ר״ל מלבד ימי החנוך הרבו עוד להביא קרבנות בימי החג בעבור חנוכת הבית:
That is to day that, aside from the days of dedication, they continued to bring many offerings on the days of the Festival (ofSuccot) on account of the dedication of the Temple
What is bothering the Radak? What subtle point is he clarifying about the nature of these days?
(ב) בחג. קודם חג הסכות נקהלו אלא אמר כי בחג נקהלו לעשות שם חנוכת המקדש והחג שבעת ימים קודם חג הסוכות הוא שנקהלו בירושלם כמו שנפרש:
On the Festival: The gathered before the festival. But it states that they gathered on the Festival to observe there the dedication of the Temple. And the Festival (refers to) the seven days prior to the Festival of Succot, that is when they gathered in Jerusalem, as we will explian.
(סה) וַיַּ֣עַשׂ שְׁלֹמֹ֣ה בָֽעֵת־הַהִ֣יא ׀ אֶת־הֶחָ֡ג וְכָל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל עִמּוֹ֩ קָהָ֨ל גָּד֜וֹל מִלְּב֥וֹא חֲמָ֣ת ׀ עַד־נַ֣חַל מִצְרַ֗יִם לִפְנֵי֙ ה' אֱלֹקֵ֔ינוּ שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִ֖ים וְשִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֑ים אַרְבָּעָ֥ה עָשָׂ֖ר יֽוֹם׃ (סו) בַּיּ֤וֹם הַשְּׁמִינִי֙ שִׁלַּ֣ח אֶת־הָעָ֔ם וַֽיְבָרֲכ֖וּ אֶת־הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וַיֵּלְכ֣וּ לְאָהֳלֵיהֶ֗ם שְׂמֵחִים֙ וְט֣וֹבֵי לֵ֔ב עַ֣ל כָּל־הַטּוֹבָ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר עָשָׂ֤ה ה' לְדָוִ֣ד עַבְדּ֔וֹ וּלְיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל עַמּֽוֹ׃
(65) So Solomon and all Israel with him—a great assemblage, [coming] from Lebo-hamath to the Wadi of Egypt—observed the Feast at that time before the LORD our God, seven days and again seven days, fourteen days in all. (66) On the eighth day he let the people go. They bade the king good-bye and went to their homes, joyful and glad of heart over all the goodness that the LORD had shown to His servant David and His people Israel.
(ה) וַיִּזְבַּ֞ח הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹה֮ אֶת־זֶ֣בַח הַבָּקָ֗ר עֶשְׂרִ֤ים וּשְׁנַ֙יִם֙ אֶ֔לֶף וְצֹ֕אן מֵאָ֥ה וְעֶשְׂרִ֖ים אָ֑לֶף וַֽיַּחְנְכוּ֙ אֶת־בֵּ֣ית הָֽאֱלֹקִ֔ים הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ וְכָל־הָעָֽם׃ (ו) וְהַכֹּהֲנִ֞ים עַל־מִשְׁמְרוֹתָ֣ם עֹמְדִ֗ים וְהַלְוִיִּ֞ם בִּכְלֵי־שִׁ֤יר ה' אֲשֶׁ֨ר עָשָׂ֜ה דָּוִ֣יד הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ לְהֹד֤וֹת לַה' כִּֽי־לְעוֹלָ֣ם חַסְדּ֔וֹ בְּהַלֵּ֥ל דָּוִ֖יד בְּיָדָ֑ם וְהַכֹּהֲנִים֙ מחצצרים [מַחְצְרִ֣ים] נֶגְדָּ֔ם וְכָל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל עֹמְדִֽים׃ (ס) (ז) וַיְקַדֵּ֣שׁ שְׁלֹמֹ֗ה אֶת־תּ֤וֹךְ הֶֽחָצֵר֙ אֲשֶׁר֙ לִפְנֵ֣י בֵית־ה' כִּֽי־עָ֤שָׂה שָׁם֙ הָֽעֹל֔וֹת וְאֵ֖ת חֶלְבֵ֣י הַשְּׁלָמִ֑ים כִּֽי־מִזְבַּ֤ח הַנְּחֹ֙שֶׁת֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֣ה שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה לֹ֣א יָכ֗וֹל לְהָכִ֛יל אֶת־הָעֹלָ֥ה וְאֶת־הַמִּנְחָ֖ה וְאֶת־הַחֲלָבִֽים׃ (ח) וַיַּ֣עַשׂ שְׁלֹמֹ֣ה אֶת־הֶ֠חָג בָּעֵ֨ת הַהִ֜יא שִׁבְעַ֤ת יָמִים֙ וְכָל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל עִמּ֔וֹ קָהָ֖ל גָּד֣וֹל מְאֹ֑ד מִלְּב֥וֹא חֲמָ֖ת עַד־נַ֥חַל מִצְרָֽיִם׃ (ט) וַֽיַּעֲשׂ֛וּ בַּיּ֥וֹם הַשְּׁמִינִ֖י עֲצָ֑רֶת כִּ֣י ׀ חֲנֻכַּ֣ת הַמִּזְבֵּ֗חַ עָשׂוּ֙ שִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֔ים וְהֶחָ֖ג שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִֽים׃
(5) King Solomon offered as sacrifices 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep; thus the king and all the people dedicated the House of God. (6) The priests stood at their watches; the Levites with the instruments for the LORD’s music that King David had made to praise the LORD, “For His steadfast love is eternal,” by means of the psalms of David that they knew. The priests opposite them blew trumpets while all Israel were standing. (7) Solomon consecrated the center of the court in front of the House of the LORD, because he presented there the burnt offerings and the fat parts of the offerings of well-being, since the bronze altar that Solomon had made was not able to hold the burnt offerings, the meal offerings, and the fat parts. (8) At that time Solomon kept the Feast for seven days—all Israel with him—a great assemblage from Lebo-hamath to the Wadi of Egypt. (9) On the eighth day they held a solemn gathering; they observed the dedication of the altar seven days, and the Feast seven days.
(א) כי חנכת המזבח עשו שבעת ימים. ארז"ל שאכלו ביום הכפורים כי שבעת ימים קודם חג הסכות יום הכפורים בכללם, והחנוכה היתה שמחה בזבחי שלמים במאכל ובמשתה ולא נחשב להם לעון שיצאה בת קול ואמרה כלכם מזומנים לחיי עולם הבא:
Based on the view of the Rabana: What alternative options could Shlomo have chosen in order to avoid this conflict? We will try to understand why he rejected each of them.
(ב) שלושה שמות לחג: א) חג הסוכות, על שם מצוות הסוכה. ב) חג האסיף, שבו מסיימים לאסוף את התבואה והפירות. ג) 'הֶחָג'. פעמים שהוא נקרא כך בלא תוספת, שנאמר (דברי הימים ב' ז, ח): "וַיַּעַשׂ שְׁלֹמֹה אֶת הֶחָג". וזאת מפני שהוא השמח והחגיגי שבחגים, והיתה בו שמחה יתירה בריקודים של שמחת בית השואבה (תוס' יו"ט ר"ה א, ב), ובו היו ישראל מקריבים יותר קרבנות מאשר בשאר החגים (העמק דבר טז, יג). ועניין השמחה המיוחדת שבחג הסוכות יבואר להלן (הלכה ח).
ודאין מערבין שמחה בשמחה מנלן דכתיב (מלכים א ח, סה) ויעש שלמה בעת ההיא את החג וכל ישראל עמו קהל גדול מלבוא חמת עד נחל מצרים [לפני ה' אלהינו] שבעת ימים ושבעת ימים ארבעה עשר יום ואם איתא דמערבין שמחה בשמחה איבעי ליה למינטר עד החג ומיעבד שבעה להכא ולהכא
§ The Gemara asks: With regard to the principle that one may not mix one joy with another joy, from where do we derive it? The Gemara explains that the source is as it is written with regard to the dedication of the Temple: “So Solomon held the feast at that time, and all Israel with him, a great congregation, from the entrance of Hamath to the Brook of Egypt, before the Lord our God, seven days and seven days, fourteen days” (I Kings 8:65). And if it is so that one may in fact mix one joy with another joy, he should have waited until the festival of Sukkot, which was the second set of seven days, and made a feast of seven days for this and for that, i.e., for the dedication of the Temple and for the festival of Sukkot together. The fact that he did not do so indicates that one must not mix one joy with another.
What question must we ask on Metsudot (source # 7 )? We will have to resolve this.
א"ר פרנך א"ר יוחנן אותה שנה לא עשו ישראל את יום הכפורים והיו דואגים ואומרים שמא נתחייבו שונאיהן של ישראל כלייה יצתה בת קול ואמרה להם כולכם מזומנין לחיי העולם הבא
Rabbi Parnakh said that Rabbi Yoḥanan said: That year, the Jewish people did not observe Yom Kippur, And they were worried and said: Perhaps the enemies of the Jewish people, a euphemism for the Jewish people themselves, have become liable to be destroyed for the transgression of eating on Yom Kippur, which is punishable by karet. A Divine Voice issued forth and said to them: All of you are designated for life in the World-to-Come.
מאי דרוש אמרו קל וחומר ומה משכן שאין קדושתו קדושת עולם וקרבן יחיד דוחה שבת דאיסור סקילה מקדש דקדושתו קדושת עולם וקרבן צבור ויום הכפורים דענוש כרת לא כ"ש אלא אמאי היו דואגים התם צורך גבוה הכא צורך הדיוט הכא נמי מיעבד ליעבדו מיכל לא ניכלו ולא לישתו אין שמחה בלא אכילה ושתיה
The Gemara asks: What derivation led them to conclude that it was permitted for them to eat on Yom Kippur? The Gemara explains that they based their ruling on an a fortiori inference: If at the dedication of the Tabernacle, whose sanctity is not a permanent sanctity, an individual’s offering, i.e., an offering of one of the tribal princes, overrides the prohibition of Shabbat, as the princes’ offerings were brought every day including Shabbat despite the attendant transgression of a prohibition that is punishable by stoning; then with regard to the dedication of the Temple, whose sanctity is a permanent sanctity and the offerings brought there were communal offerings, is it not all the more so clear that the dedication of the Temple overrides the prohibition of Yom Kippur, a violation that is punishable by the less severe punishment of karet? The Gemara asks: But if they had firm basis for their behavior, why were they worried? The Gemara answers that one can refute this a fortiori inference as follows: There, at the dedication of the Tabernacle, Shabbat was desecrated only for the necessities of the Temple service to God on High, i.e., by sacrificing offerings. Here, at the dedication of the Temple, they desecrated Yom Kippur by eating and drinking, which was for the need of common mortals. Based on this distinction the Gemara suggests: Here too, at the dedication of the Temple they should have performed the rites of the sacrificial offerings and they should not have eaten or drunk. The Gemara answers: There is no complete rejoicing without eating and drinking.
ויהי בימי אחשורוש (אסתר א, א) הוה המן ויהי בימי שפוט השופטים (רות א, א) הוה רעב ויהי כי החל האדם לרוב (בראשית ו, א) וירא ה' כי רבה רעת האדם (בראשית ו, ה)
The Gemara cites several proofs corroborating this interpretation. “And it came to pass [vayhi] in the days of Ahasuerus” led to grief, as there was Haman. “And it came to pass [vayhi] in the days when the judges ruled” (Ruth 1:1) introduces a period when there was famine. “And it came to pass [vayhi], when men began to multiply” (Genesis 6:1) is immediately followed by the verse: “And the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth” (Genesis 6:5).
והכתיב (ויקרא ט, א) ויהי ביום השמיני ותניא אותו היום היתה שמחה לפני הקדוש ברוך הוא כיום שנבראו בו שמים וארץ כתיב הכא ויהי ביום השמיני וכתיב התם (בראשית א, ה) ויהי (בקר) יום אחד
After citing several verses where vayhi portends grief, the Gemara mentions a number of verses that seem to indicate otherwise. But isn’t it written: “And it came to pass [vayhi] on the eighth day” (Leviticus 9:1), which was the day of the dedication of the Tabernacle? And it is taught in a baraita with regard to that day: On that day there was joy before the Holy One, Blessed be He, similar to the joy that existed on the day on which the heavens and earth were created. The Gemara cites a verbal analogy in support of this statement. It is written here, with regard to the dedication of the Tabernacle: “And it came to pass [vayhi] on the eighth day,” and it is written there, in the Creation story: “And it was [vayhi] evening, and it was morning, one day” (Genesis 1:5). This indicates that there was joy on the eighth day, when the Tabernacle was dedicated, similar to the joy that existed on the day the world was created. Apparently, the term vayhi is not necessarily a portent of grief.
How does this comparison help us to understand what Shlomo did, why he did it, and how the people reacted, what is Simcha lifnei Hashem?
Why didn't the Bat Kol simply say: "The halacha is according to Shlomo"?
Take note of which day of creation is associated with Simcha? What would you have expected?
Why didn't the Bat Kol simply say: "The halacha is according to Shlomo"?
Take note of which day of creation is associated with Simcha? What would you have expected?
Teaching Methodology: I would suggest assigning the following text to the students to anayze in small groups, to identify the major concepts that Shlomo taught the nation at Chanukat Habayit. This might help to understand the message of the Bat Kol to the nation and the nature of the simcha .Then they can contemplate the comparison to the simcha of the first day of creation. That should shed light on Shlomo's psak for that year: קדושת חנוחת הבית דוחה קדושת יום כפור .
(יב) אָ֖ז אָמַ֣ר שְׁלֹמֹ֑ה ה' אָמַ֔ר לִשְׁכֹּ֖ן בָּעֲרָפֶֽל׃ (יג) בָּנֹ֥ה בָנִ֛יתִי בֵּ֥ית זְבֻ֖ל לָ֑ךְ מָכ֥וֹן לְשִׁבְתְּךָ֖ עוֹלָמִֽים׃
(12) then Solomon declared: “The LORD has chosen To abide in a thick cloud: (13) I have now built for You A stately House, A place where You May dwell forever.”
(טו) וַיֹּ֗אמֶר בָּר֤וּךְ ה' אֱלֹקֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֲשֶׁר֙ דִּבֶּ֣ר בְּפִ֔יו אֵ֖ת דָּוִ֣ד אָבִ֑י וּבְיָד֥וֹ מִלֵּ֖א לֵאמֹֽר׃ (טז) מִן־הַיּ֗וֹם אֲשֶׁ֨ר הוֹצֵ֜אתִי אֶת־עַמִּ֣י אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵל֮ מִמִּצְרַיִם֒ לֹֽא־בָחַ֣רְתִּי בְעִ֗יר מִכֹּל֙ שִׁבְטֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל לִבְנ֣וֹת בַּ֔יִת לִהְי֥וֹת שְׁמִ֖י שָׁ֑ם וָאֶבְחַ֣ר בְּדָוִ֔ד לִֽהְי֖וֹת עַל־עַמִּ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (יז) וַיְהִ֕י עִם־לְבַ֖ב דָּוִ֣ד אָבִ֑י לִבְנ֣וֹת בַּ֔יִת לְשֵׁ֥ם ה' אֱלֹקֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (יח) וַיֹּ֤אמֶר ה' אֶל־דָּוִ֣ד אָבִ֔י יַ֗עַן אֲשֶׁ֤ר הָיָה֙ עִם־לְבָ֣בְךָ֔ לִבְנ֥וֹת בַּ֖יִת לִשְׁמִ֑י הֱטִיבֹ֔תָ כִּ֥י הָיָ֖ה עִם־לְבָבֶֽךָ׃ (יט) רַ֣ק אַתָּ֔ה לֹ֥א תִבְנֶ֖ה הַבָּ֑יִת כִּ֤י אִם־בִּנְךָ֙ הַיֹּצֵ֣א מֵחֲלָצֶ֔יךָ הֽוּא־יִבְנֶ֥ה הַבַּ֖יִת לִשְׁמִֽי׃ (כ) וַיָּ֣קֶם ה' אֶת־דְּבָר֖וֹ אֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבֵּ֑ר וָאָקֻ֡ם תַּחַת֩ דָּוִ֨ד אָבִ֜י וָאֵשֵׁ֣ב עַל־כִּסֵּ֣א יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל כַּֽאֲשֶׁר֙ דִּבֶּ֣ר ה' וָאֶבְנֶ֣ה הַבַּ֔יִת לְשֵׁ֥ם ה' אֱלֹקֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (כא) וָאָשִׂ֨ם שָׁ֤ם מָקוֹם֙ לָֽאָר֔וֹן אֲשֶׁר־שָׁ֖ם בְּרִ֣ית ה' אֲשֶׁ֤ר כָּרַת֙ עִם־אֲבֹתֵ֔ינוּ בְּהוֹצִיא֥וֹ אֹתָ֖ם מֵאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃ (ס)
(15) He said: “Praised be the LORD, the God of Israel, who has fulfilled with deeds the promise He made to my father David. For He said, (16) ‘Ever since I brought My people Israel out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city among all the tribes of Israel for building a House where My name might abide; but I have chosen David to rule My people Israel.’ (17) “Now my father David had intended to build a House for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel. (18) But the LORD said to my father David, ‘As regards your intention to build a House for My name, you did right to have that intention. (19) However, you shall not build the House yourself; instead, your son, the issue of your loins, shall build the House for My name.’ (20) “And the LORD has fulfilled the promise that He made: I have succeeded my father David and have ascended the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised. I have built the House for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel; (21) and I have set a place there for the Ark, containing the covenant which the LORD made with our fathers when He brought them out from the land of Egypt.”
(כג) וַיֹּאמַ֗ר ה' אֱלֹקֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ אֵין־כָּמ֣וֹךָ אֱלֹקִ֔ים בַּשָּׁמַ֣יִם מִמַּ֔עַל וְעַל־הָאָ֖רֶץ מִתָּ֑חַת שֹׁמֵ֤ר הַבְּרִית֙ וְֽהַחֶ֔סֶד לַעֲבָדֶ֕יךָ הַהֹלְכִ֥ים לְפָנֶ֖יךָ בְּכָל־לִבָּֽם׃ (כד) אֲשֶׁ֣ר שָׁמַ֗רְתָּ לְעַבְדְּךָ֙ דָּוִ֣ד אָבִ֔י אֵ֥ת אֲשֶׁר־דִּבַּ֖רְתָּ ל֑וֹ וַתְּדַבֵּ֥ר בְּפִ֛יךָ וּבְיָדְךָ֥ מִלֵּ֖אתָ כַּיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃ (כה) וְעַתָּ֞ה ה' ׀ אֱלֹקֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל שְׁ֠מֹר לְעַבְדְּךָ֨ דָוִ֤ד אָבִי֙ אֵת֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר דִּבַּ֤רְתָּ לּוֹ֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר לֹא־יִכָּרֵ֨ת לְךָ֥ אִישׁ֙ מִלְּפָנַ֔י יֹשֵׁ֖ב עַל־כִּסֵּ֣א יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל רַ֠ק אִם־יִשְׁמְר֨וּ בָנֶ֤יךָ אֶת־דַּרְכָּם֙ לָלֶ֣כֶת לְפָנַ֔י כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר הָלַ֖כְתָּ לְפָנָֽי׃ (כו) וְעַתָּ֖ה אֱלֹקֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל יֵאָ֤מֶן נָא֙ דבריך [דְּבָ֣רְךָ֔] אֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבַּ֔רְתָּ לְעַבְדְּךָ֖ דָּוִ֥ד אָבִֽי׃ (כז) כִּ֚י הַֽאֻמְנָ֔ם יֵשֵׁ֥ב אֱלֹקִ֖ים עַל־הָאָ֑רֶץ הִ֠נֵּה הַשָּׁמַ֜יִם וּשְׁמֵ֤י הַשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙ לֹ֣א יְכַלְכְּל֔וּךָ אַ֕ף כִּֽי־הַבַּ֥יִת הַזֶּ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר בָּנִֽיתִי׃ (כח) וּפָנִ֜יתָ אֶל־תְּפִלַּ֧ת עַבְדְּךָ֛ וְאֶל־תְּחִנָּת֖וֹ ה' אֱלֹקָ֑י לִשְׁמֹ֤עַ אֶל־הָֽרִנָּה֙ וְאֶל־הַתְּפִלָּ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֧ר עַבְדְּךָ֛ מִתְפַּלֵּ֥ל לְפָנֶ֖יךָ הַיּֽוֹם׃ (כט) לִהְיוֹת֩ עֵינֶ֨ךָ פְתֻח֜וֹת אֶל־הַבַּ֤יִת הַזֶּה֙ לַ֣יְלָה וָי֔וֹם אֶל־הַ֨מָּק֔וֹם אֲשֶׁ֣ר אָמַ֔רְתָּ יִהְיֶ֥ה שְׁמִ֖י שָׁ֑ם לִשְׁמֹ֙עַ֙ אֶל־הַתְּפִלָּ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר יִתְפַּלֵּ֣ל עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶל־הַמָּק֖וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃ (ל) וְשָׁ֨מַעְתָּ֜ אֶל־תְּחִנַּ֤ת עַבְדְּךָ֙ וְעַמְּךָ֣ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר יִֽתְפַּֽלְל֖וּ אֶל־הַמָּק֣וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה וְ֠אַתָּה תִּשְׁמַ֞ע אֶל־מְק֤וֹם שִׁבְתְּךָ֙ אֶל־הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וְשָׁמַעְתָּ֖ וְסָלָֽחְתָּ׃ (לא) אֵת֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר יֶחֱטָ֥א אִישׁ֙ לְרֵעֵ֔הוּ וְנָֽשָׁא־ב֥וֹ אָלָ֖ה לְהַֽאֲלֹת֑וֹ וּבָ֗א אָלָ֛ה לִפְנֵ֥י מִֽזְבַּחֲךָ֖ בַּבַּ֥יִת הַזֶּֽה׃ (לב) וְאַתָּ֣ה ׀ תִּשְׁמַ֣ע הַשָּׁמַ֗יִם וְעָשִׂ֙יתָ֙ וְשָׁפַטְתָּ֣ אֶת־עֲבָדֶ֔יךָ לְהַרְשִׁ֣יעַ רָשָׁ֔ע לָתֵ֥ת דַּרְכּ֖וֹ בְּרֹאשׁ֑וֹ וּלְהַצְדִּ֣יק צַדִּ֔יק לָ֥תֶת ל֖וֹ כְּצִדְקָתֽוֹ׃ (ס) (לג) בְּֽהִנָּגֵ֞ף עַמְּךָ֧ יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל לִפְנֵ֥י אוֹיֵ֖ב אֲשֶׁ֣ר יֶחֶטְאוּ־לָ֑ךְ וְשָׁ֤בוּ אֵלֶ֙יךָ֙ וְהוֹד֣וּ אֶת־שְׁמֶ֔ךָ וְהִֽתְפַּֽלְל֧וּ וְהִֽתְחַנְּנ֛וּ אֵלֶ֖יךָ בַּבַּ֥יִת הַזֶּֽה׃ (לד) וְאַתָּה֙ תִּשְׁמַ֣ע הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וְסָ֣לַחְתָּ֔ לְחַטַּ֖את עַמְּךָ֣ יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַהֲשֵֽׁבֹתָם֙ אֶל־הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר נָתַ֖תָּ לַאֲבוֹתָֽם׃ (ס) (לה) בְּהֵעָצֵ֥ר שָׁמַ֛יִם וְלֹא־יִהְיֶ֥ה מָטָ֖ר כִּ֣י יֶחֶטְאוּ־לָ֑ךְ וְהִֽתְפַּֽלְל֞וּ אֶל־הַמָּק֤וֹם הַזֶּה֙ וְהוֹד֣וּ אֶת־שְׁמֶ֔ךָ וּמֵחַטָּאתָ֥ם יְשׁוּב֖וּן כִּ֥י תַעֲנֵֽם׃ (לו) וְאַתָּ֣ה ׀ תִּשְׁמַ֣ע הַשָּׁמַ֗יִם וְסָ֨לַחְתָּ֜ לְחַטַּ֤את עֲבָדֶ֙יךָ֙ וְעַמְּךָ֣ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל כִּ֥י תוֹרֵ֛ם אֶת־הַדֶּ֥רֶךְ הַטּוֹבָ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר יֵֽלְכוּ־בָ֑הּ וְנָתַתָּ֤ה מָטָר֙ עַל־אַרְצְךָ֔ אֲשֶׁר־נָתַ֥תָּה לְעַמְּךָ֖ לְנַחֲלָֽה׃ (ס) (לז) רָעָ֞ב כִּֽי־יִהְיֶ֣ה בָאָ֗רֶץ דֶּ֣בֶר כִּֽי־יִ֠הְיֶה שִׁדָּפ֨וֹן יֵרָק֜וֹן אַרְבֶּ֤ה חָסִיל֙ כִּ֣י יִהְיֶ֔ה כִּ֧י יָֽצַר־ל֛וֹ אֹיְב֖וֹ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ שְׁעָרָ֑יו כָּל־נֶ֖גַע כָּֽל־מַחֲלָֽה׃ (לח) כָּל־תְּפִלָּ֣ה כָל־תְּחִנָּ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֤ר תִֽהְיֶה֙ לְכָל־הָ֣אָדָ֔ם לְכֹ֖ל עַמְּךָ֣ יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל אֲשֶׁ֣ר יֵדְע֗וּן אִ֚ישׁ נֶ֣גַע לְבָב֔וֹ וּפָרַ֥שׂ כַּפָּ֖יו אֶל־הַבַּ֥יִת הַזֶּֽה׃ (לט) וְ֠אַתָּה תִּשְׁמַ֨ע הַשָּׁמַ֜יִם מְכ֤וֹן שִׁבְתֶּ֙ךָ֙ וְסָלַחְתָּ֣ וְעָשִׂ֔יתָ וְנָתַתָּ֤ לָאִישׁ֙ כְּכָל־דְּרָכָ֔יו אֲשֶׁ֥ר תֵּדַ֖ע אֶת־לְבָב֑וֹ כִּֽי־אַתָּ֤ה יָדַ֙עְתָּ֙ לְבַדְּךָ֔ אֶת־לְבַ֖ב כָּל־בְּנֵ֥י הָאָדָֽם׃ (מ) לְמַ֙עַן֙ יִֽרָא֔וּךָ כָּל־הַ֨יָּמִ֔ים אֲשֶׁר־הֵ֥ם חַיִּ֖ים עַל־פְּנֵ֣י הָאֲדָמָ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר נָתַ֖תָּה לַאֲבֹתֵֽינוּ׃ (מא) וְגַם֙ אֶל־הַנָּכְרִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֛ר לֹא־מֵעַמְּךָ֥ יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל ה֑וּא וּבָ֛א מֵאֶ֥רֶץ רְחוֹקָ֖ה לְמַ֥עַן שְׁמֶֽךָ׃ (מב) כִּ֤י יִשְׁמְעוּן֙ אֶת־שִׁמְךָ֣ הַגָּד֔וֹל וְאֶת־יָֽדְךָ֙ הַֽחֲזָקָ֔ה וּֽזְרֹעֲךָ֖ הַנְּטוּיָ֑ה וּבָ֥א וְהִתְפַּלֵּ֖ל אֶל־הַבַּ֥יִת הַזֶּֽה׃ (מג) אַתָּ֞ה תִּשְׁמַ֤ע הַשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙ מְכ֣וֹן שִׁבְתֶּ֔ךָ וְעָשִׂ֕יתָ כְּכֹ֛ל אֲשֶׁר־יִקְרָ֥א אֵלֶ֖יךָ הַנָּכְרִ֑י לְמַ֣עַן יֵדְעוּן֩ כָּל־עַמֵּ֨י הָאָ֜רֶץ אֶת־שְׁמֶ֗ךָ לְיִרְאָ֤ה אֹֽתְךָ֙ כְּעַמְּךָ֣ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְלָדַ֕עַת כִּי־שִׁמְךָ֣ נִקְרָ֔א עַל־הַבַּ֥יִת הַזֶּ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר בָּנִֽיתִי׃ (מד) כִּי־יֵצֵ֨א עַמְּךָ֤ לַמִּלְחָמָה֙ עַל־אֹ֣יְב֔וֹ בַּדֶּ֖רֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תִּשְׁלָחֵ֑ם וְהִתְפַּֽלְל֣וּ אֶל־ה' דֶּ֤רֶךְ הָעִיר֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּחַ֣רְתָּ בָּ֔הּ וְהַבַּ֖יִת אֲשֶׁר־בָּנִ֥תִי לִשְׁמֶֽךָ׃ (מה) וְשָׁמַעְתָּ֙ הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם אֶת־תְּפִלָּתָ֖ם וְאֶת־תְּחִנָּתָ֑ם וְעָשִׂ֖יתָ מִשְׁפָּטָֽם׃ (מו) כִּ֣י יֶֽחֶטְאוּ־לָ֗ךְ כִּ֣י אֵ֤ין אָדָם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹא־יֶחֱטָ֔א וְאָנַפְתָּ֣ בָ֔ם וּנְתַתָּ֖ם לִפְנֵ֣י אוֹיֵ֑ב וְשָׁב֤וּם שֹֽׁבֵיהֶם֙ אֶל־אֶ֣רֶץ הָאוֹיֵ֔ב רְחוֹקָ֖ה א֥וֹ קְרוֹבָֽה׃ (מז) וְהֵשִׁ֙יבוּ֙ אֶל־לִבָּ֔ם בָּאָ֖רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֣ר נִשְׁבּוּ־שָׁ֑ם וְשָׁ֣בוּ ׀ וְהִֽתְחַנְּנ֣וּ אֵלֶ֗יךָ בְּאֶ֤רֶץ שֹֽׁבֵיהֶם֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר חָטָ֥אנוּ וְהֶעֱוִ֖ינוּ רָשָֽׁעְנוּ׃ (מח) וְשָׁ֣בוּ אֵלֶ֗יךָ בְּכָל־לְבָבָם֙ וּבְכָל־נַפְשָׁ֔ם בְּאֶ֥רֶץ אֹיְבֵיהֶ֖ם אֲשֶׁר־שָׁב֣וּ אֹתָ֑ם וְהִֽתְפַּֽלְל֣וּ אֵלֶ֗יךָ דֶּ֤רֶךְ אַרְצָם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר נָתַ֣תָּה לַאֲבוֹתָ֔ם הָעִיר֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּחַ֔רְתָּ וְהַבַּ֖יִת אֲשֶׁר־בנית [בָּנִ֥יתִי] לִשְׁמֶֽךָ׃ (מט) וְשָׁמַעְתָּ֤ הַשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙ מְכ֣וֹן שִׁבְתְּךָ֔ אֶת־תְּפִלָּתָ֖ם וְאֶת־תְּחִנָּתָ֑ם וְעָשִׂ֖יתָ מִשְׁפָּטָֽם׃ (נ) וְסָלַחְתָּ֤ לְעַמְּךָ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר חָֽטְאוּ־לָ֔ךְ וּלְכָל־פִּשְׁעֵיהֶ֖ם אֲשֶׁ֣ר פָּשְׁעוּ־בָ֑ךְ וּנְתַתָּ֧ם לְרַחֲמִ֛ים לִפְנֵ֥י שֹׁבֵיהֶ֖ם וְרִֽחֲמֽוּם׃ (נא) כִּֽי־עַמְּךָ֥ וְנַחֲלָתְךָ֖ הֵ֑ם אֲשֶׁ֤ר הוֹצֵ֙אתָ֙ מִמִּצְרַ֔יִם מִתּ֖וֹךְ כּ֥וּר הַבַּרְזֶֽל׃ (נב) לִהְי֨וֹת עֵינֶ֤יךָ פְתֻחוֹת֙ אֶל־תְּחִנַּ֣ת עַבְדְּךָ֔ וְאֶל־תְּחִנַּ֖ת עַמְּךָ֣ יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל לִשְׁמֹ֣עַ אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם בְּכֹ֖ל קָרְאָ֥ם אֵלֶֽיךָ׃ (נג) כִּֽי־אַתָּ֞ה הִבְדַּלְתָּ֤ם לְךָ֙ לְֽנַחֲלָ֔ה מִכֹּ֖ל עַמֵּ֣י הָאָ֑רֶץ כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר דִּבַּ֜רְתָּ בְּיַ֣ד ׀ מֹשֶׁ֣ה עַבְדֶּ֗ךָ בְּהוֹצִיאֲךָ֧ אֶת־אֲבֹתֵ֛ינוּ מִמִּצְרַ֖יִם אדושם ה'׃ (פ) (נד) וַיְהִ֣י ׀ כְּכַלּ֣וֹת שְׁלֹמֹ֗ה לְהִתְפַּלֵּל֙ אֶל־ה' אֵ֛ת כָּל־הַתְּפִלָּ֥ה וְהַתְּחִנָּ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את קָ֞ם מִלִּפְנֵ֨י מִזְבַּ֤ח ה' מִכְּרֹ֣עַ עַל־בִּרְכָּ֔יו וְכַפָּ֖יו פְּרֻשׂ֥וֹת הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃ (נה) וַֽיַּעְמֹ֕ד וַיְבָ֕רֶךְ אֵ֖ת כָּל־קְהַ֣ל יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל ק֥וֹל גָּד֖וֹל לֵאמֹֽר׃ (נו) בָּר֣וּךְ ה' אֲשֶׁ֨ר נָתַ֤ן מְנוּחָה֙ לְעַמּ֣וֹ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל כְּכֹ֖ל אֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבֵּ֑ר לֹֽא־נָפַ֞ל דָּבָ֣ר אֶחָ֗ד מִכֹּל֙ דְּבָר֣וֹ הַטּ֔וֹב אֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבֶּ֔ר בְּיַ֖ד מֹשֶׁ֥ה עַבְדּֽוֹ׃
(23) and said, “O LORD God of Israel, in the heavens above and on the earth below there is no god like You, who keep Your gracious covenant with Your servants when they walk before You in wholehearted devotion; (24) You who have kept the promises You made to Your servant, my father David, fulfilling with deeds the promise You made—as is now the case. (25) And now, O LORD God of Israel, keep the further promise that You made to Your servant, my father David: ‘Your line on the throne of Israel shall never end, if only your descendants will look to their way and walk before Me as you have walked before Me.’ (26) Now, therefore, O God of Israel, let the promise that You made to Your servant my father David be fulfilled. (27) “But will God really dwell on earth? Even the heavens to their uttermost reaches cannot contain You, how much less this House that I have built! (28) Yet turn, O LORD my God, to the prayer and supplication of Your servant, and hear the cry and prayer which Your servant offers before You this day. (29) May Your eyes be open day and night toward this House, toward the place of which You have said, ‘My name shall abide there’; may You heed the prayers which Your servant will offer toward this place. (30) And when You hear the supplications which Your servant and Your people Israel offer toward this place, give heed in Your heavenly abode—give heed and pardon. (31) “Whenever one man commits an offense against another, and the latter utters an imprecation to bring a curse upon him, and comes with his imprecation before Your altar in this House, (32) oh, hear in heaven and take action to judge Your servants, condemning him who is in the wrong and bringing down the punishment of his conduct on his head, vindicating him who is in the right by rewarding him according to his righteousness. (33) “Should Your people Israel be routed by an enemy because they have sinned against You, and then turn back to You and acknowledge Your name, and they offer prayer and supplication to You in this House, (34) oh, hear in heaven and pardon the sin of Your people Israel, and restore them to the land that You gave to their fathers. (35) “Should the heavens be shut up and there be no rain, because they have sinned against You, and then they pray toward this place and acknowledge Your name and repent of their sins, when You answer them, (36) oh, hear in heaven and pardon the sin of Your servants, Your people Israel, after You have shown them the proper way in which they are to walk; and send down rain upon the land which You gave to Your people as their heritage. (37) So, too, if there is a famine in the land, if there is pestilence, blight, mildew, locusts or caterpillars, or if an enemy oppresses them in any of the settlements of the land. “In any plague and in any disease, (38) in any prayer or supplication offered by any person among all Your people Israel—each of whom knows his own affliction—when he spreads his palms toward this House, (39) oh, hear in Your heavenly abode, and pardon and take action! Render to each man according to his ways as You know his heart to be—for You alone know the hearts of all men— (40) so that they may revere You all the days that they live on the land that You gave to our fathers. (41) “Or if a foreigner who is not of Your people Israel comes from a distant land for the sake of Your name— (42) for they shall hear about Your great name and Your mighty hand and Your outstretched arm—when he comes to pray toward this House, (43) oh, hear in Your heavenly abode and grant all that the foreigner asks You for. Thus all the peoples of the earth will know Your name and revere You, as does Your people Israel; and they will recognize that Your name is attached to this House that I have built. (44) “When Your people take the field against their enemy by whatever way You send them, and they pray to the LORD in the direction of the city which You have chosen, and of the House which I have built to Your name, (45) oh, hear in heaven their prayer and supplication and uphold their cause. (46) “When they sin against You—for there is no man who does not sin—and You are angry with them and deliver them to the enemy, and their captors carry them off to an enemy land, near or far; (47) and then they take it to heart in the land to which they have been carried off, and they repent and make supplication to You in the land of their captors, saying: ‘We have sinned, we have acted perversely, we have acted wickedly,’ (48) and they turn back to You with all their heart and soul, in the land of the enemies who have carried them off, and they pray to You in the direction of their land which You gave to their fathers, of the city which You have chosen, and of the House which I have built to Your name— (49) oh, give heed in Your heavenly abode to their prayer and supplication, uphold their cause, (50) and pardon Your people who have sinned against You for all the transgressions that they have committed against You. Grant them mercy in the sight of their captors that they may be merciful to them. (51) For they are Your very own people that You freed from Egypt, from the midst of the iron furnace. (52) May Your eyes be open to the supplication of Your servant and the supplication of Your people Israel, and may You heed them whenever they call upon You. (53) For You, O Lord GOD, have set them apart for Yourself from all the peoples of the earth as Your very own, as You promised through Moses Your servant when You freed our fathers from Egypt.” (54) When Solomon finished offering to the LORD all this prayer and supplication, he rose from where he had been kneeling, in front of the altar of the LORD, his hands spread out toward heaven. (55) He stood, and in a loud voice blessed the whole congregation of Israel: (56) “Praised be the LORD who has granted a haven to His people Israel, just as He promised; not a single word has failed of all the gracious promises that He made through His servant Moses.