Solomon's Blessing

In 1 Kings 8:54-61, Solomon offers a blessing to the people of Israel and what stuck out was the very first verse as it notes, "when Solomon finished praying this entire prayer and petition to the Lord, he got up from kneeling before the altar of the Lord, with his hands spread out toward heaven, and stood and blessed the whole congregation of Israel with a loud voice..."

Not very proper and religious. 

Next, in 1 Kings 8:64, Solomon consecrated the middle of the courtyard because that's where he offered up sacrifices. Wherever we are is set apart for the Lord and we can bless him anywhere. That day, Salomon offered up 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep. He said the temple was too small to accommodate his offerings-wouldn't that be something if our sacrifices and offerings were too large for the local church?

After 14 days of worshiping and celebrating the goodness of God, Solomon sent them home. They blessed him and went home to their tents rejoicing with joyful hearts for all the goodness the Lord had done for his servant David and for his people Israel. 

Fourteen days. 

I'm feeling pretty good if I'm not distracted beyond fourteen minutes in worship.