5. Solomon and a crowd of people walked in front of the chest, and along the way they sacrificed more sheep and cattle than could be counted.
6. The priests carried the chest into the most holy place and put it under the winged creatures,
7. whose wings covered the chest and the poles used for carrying it.
8. The poles were so long that they could be seen from just outside the most holy place, but not from anywhere else. And they stayed there from then on.
9. The only things kept in the chest were the two flat stones Moses had put there when the Lord made his agreement with the people of Israel at Mount Sinai, after bringing them out of Egypt.
47-49. Later, they may feel sorry for what they did and ask your forgiveness. Answer them when they pray towards this temple I have built for you in your chosen city, here in this land you gave their ancestors. From your home in heaven, listen to their sincere prayers and do what they ask.
50. Forgive your people no matter how much they have sinned against you. Make the enemies who defeated them be kind to them.
51. Remember, they are the people you chose and rescued from Egypt that was like a blazing fire to them.
52. I am your servant, and the people of Israel belong to you. So listen when any of us pray and cry out for your help.
53. When you brought our ancestors out of Egypt, you told your servant Moses to say to them, “From all people on earth, the Lord God has chosen you to be his very own.”
54. When Solomon finished his prayer at the altar, he was kneeling with his arms lifted towards heaven. He stood up,
55. turned towards the people, blessed them, and said loudly: