2 Chronicles 6:13
For Solomon had made a brasen scaffold, of five cubits long, and five cubits broad, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court: and upon it he stood, and kneeled down upon his knees before all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven,
The verse describes Solomon's prayer after the temple was finished, at its dedication, offered in the midst of the court before the altar in front of the immense assembled congregation of Israel. Solomon prayed from a raised bronze scaffold or platform set in the midst of the court, facing the altar. The platform was five cubits long and five cubits broad and three cubits high.
After ascending the platform Solomon stood and lifted up his hands to heaven to bless the congregation. Then he kneeled down on his knees before all Israel and spread or raised forth his hands toward heaven to pray, kneeling rather than standing for the dedicatory prayer. The prayer was public and spoken aloud so the people could hear it, and its words are recorded in the Bible.
In the prayer Solomon praised God for keeping covenant and showing mercy and for fulfilling his promise to David. He asked God to keep the promise of a continuing throne for David's descendants conditional on their obeying God's law. He asked God to attend to prayers offered toward the temple, hear from heaven, and forgive. The prayer acknowledges that even heaven cannot contain God, much less the temple. This teaches that God is not confined to a temple but meets his people by his Spirit when they gather for worship and visits and encourages them in their homes and wherever they may be, so his children can worship him in every place.
The lengthy prayer was appropriate for the occasion, inspired of God, and marked by the loftiest piety blended with the deepest humility, devotion, earnestness, and solemnity. While Solomon offered the earnest, solemn prayer, the congregation bowed with their faces to the ground. After Solomon's prayer, miraculous fire came from heaven and consumed the sacrifice.
Solomon's kneeling is the humble posture of a petitioner and teaches worshipers to approach God with humility, reverence, and awe, recognizing their dependence on him. His public vocal prayer serves as an example of public prayer offered vocally.