Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands — Solomon positioned himself before the bronze altar (מִזְבַּח יְהוָה), standing in full view of the assembled people (נֶגֶד כָּל־קְהַל־יִשְׂרָאֵל). He spread out his hands (וַיִּפְרֹשׂ אֶת־כַּפָּיו, spread his palms) in the posture of prayer—an ancient gesture of supplication and openness before the deity. The public positioning and visible gesture ensured all witnessed the king's prayer. The phrase 'before all the assembly' emphasized that this was not private devotion but public, representative prayer: the king prayed for the nation. The raised hands signified both humility (openness) and authority (blessing gesture). This verse transitions from historical recapitulation to intercessory prayer proper.

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