1 Kings 8:62-66; 2 Chronicles 7:4-10; Psalm 132:1-18; 1 Kings 9:1-9; 2 Chronicles 7:11-22; 1 Kings 9:10-14; 2 Chronicles 8:1-3; 1 Kings 9:24; 2 Chronicles 8:11; 1 Kings 9:25; 2 Chronicles 8:12-16; 1 Kings 9:17-19; 2 Chronicles 8:4-6; 1 Kings 9:26-28; 2 Chronicles 8:17-18; 1 Kings 10:22; 2 Chronicles 9:21

Solomon's lavish sacrifice--22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep and goats--initiates the temple as a functioning place of worship. (1 Kings 8:63) Israeli people from near and far feasted and celebrated. Then Solomon sent them to their homes (1 Chronicles 7:10)

[God says to Solomon,] "I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there." (2 Chronicles 7:16) God does the choosing and the consecrating, although Solomon, the workers, slaves, artisans, and supervisors have done their respective parts in building the temple.

God chooses and consecrates holy places among us. God sees in those places. God loves in those places. God often thinks of those places. Is my heart, my soul, such a place?