These cover corresponding (somewhat duplicative) accounts of the dedication of Solomon's temple.
It is the Festival of Shelters. All Israel comes to Jerusalem and begins sacrificing countless animals. Solomon has the ark brought into the temple. Levites place the ark in between the two cherubim of the inner sanctum.
Joyous music, worship, and prayer breaks out. Then, a thick cloud fills the temple, which is reminiscent of the events of Sinai. Actually, I don't think we have seen God take cloud form since the 40 years of wilderness. The cloud is so thick that the priests cannot continue their duties.
This prompts Solomon to do a long prayer of dedication of the temple. What stands out to me in it is that he anticipates foreigners coming to see the temple of God and praying.
Solomon then offers up 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep. This is their first Festival of Shelters with the temple. So, I wonder if the temple becomes the permanent location for it.
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