"The most imposing religious service ever performed in this world, either before or since that time."
Philip Smith, History of this world vol.1, p.173
Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel,
and all the heads of the tribes,
the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel,
unto king Solomon in Jerusalem,
that they might bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David,
And king Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel, that were assembled unto him,
And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD unto his place,
into the oracle of the house,
to the most holy place,
even under the wings of the cherubims.
1 Kings 8:1,5
Now when Solomon had made an end of praying,
the fire came down from heaven,
and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices;
and the glory of the LORD filled the house.
And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD,
because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD'S house.
And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down,
and the glory of the LORD upon the house,
they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement,
and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying,
For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
2 Chronicles 7:1-3