THE DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLE.

THE Temple being finished, Solomon determined to postpone the dedication of it to the following year, as it was a year of jubilee. Some days before the feast of tabernacles, all the princes of the tribes and heads of families being assembled to solemnize so essential a rite, he commanded the priests and Levites to bring the different presents which David had bequeathed for the temple service. The numerous vessels appointed for the altar and sanctuary were next brought in, and lastly, with great solemnity, the Ark of the Covenant, and the Tabernacle of the Congregation. As soon as the Ark was deposited, the whole of the sacred building was filled with a miraculous cloud, upon which Solomon, prostrating himself towards the sanctuary, addressed a solemn prayer to God. "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which spake with his mouth unto David my father, and hath with his hand fulfilled it, saying, Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build an house, that my name might be therein; but I chose David to be over my people Israel. And it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the Lord God of Israel *." He concluded by beseeching the Lord Jehovah to fulfil the promise which he had made to David in favour of his successors. The picture represents the court of the priests: Solomon is seen in the foreground, standing before the brazen sea, which appears in the centre of the area. The king is raising his hands towards heaven, in an attitude of holy supplication. Below, on his left, are the Levites, with their harps, chanting those spiritual songs appointed for the temple service. Beyond them is the brazen altar of sacrifice. It has an ascent by steps, being sloped like the roof of a modern dwelling-house. Three priests are seen near the summit conducting the sacrifices.