After speaking directly to God while facing the inner sanctuary, King Solomon shifts his attention to the people, turning around to offer introductory words and gratitude. This change in direction is not merely a physical movement, but a fundamental requirement for delivering a blessing. Just as with the Priestly Blessing, the one giving the blessing must look directly at those receiving it [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ, רלב״ג].
The exact words Solomon uses to bless the nation are a subject of discussion, as they are not explicitly recorded right away. The primary approach among commentators is that the specific text is either omitted here and was spoken only after his prayer, or it refers to the expressions of gratitude to God that immediately follow [רד״ק, רלב״ג]. Others suggest that Solomon offered a brief, standard greeting of peace, such as "May God be with you" or "Peace be upon you," just before beginning his prayer. Alternatively, the blessing might simply be the upcoming prayer itself. By asking God to always listen to the prayers the people offer in the Temple, Solomon was granting them the greatest possible blessing [אברבנאל].
Beyond the spoken words, the very act of blessing the nation served a profound purpose. It emphasized to the people that the Divine Presence rests in the Temple solely because of their merit. In truth, the Israelites themselves are the real sanctuary where God dwells [אלשיך].
As Solomon speaks, the massive congregation stands in the Temple courtyards [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This highlights a fundamental rule: it is strictly forbidden to sit in the Temple courtyard. The specific mention of the people standing implicitly reveals that King Solomon himself was seated at the time. This provides proof that only kings from the House of David were permitted to sit in the Temple courtyard [רלב״ג, אברבנאל, מצודת דוד]. Furthermore, the gathering reflects a miraculous reality. The physical space of the courtyard somehow managed to hold the entire nation of Israel standing together, even though they were as numerous as the sand on the seashore [אלשיך].