1 Kings 8:1-21
Solomon Moves the Ark into the Temple
1 ▼▼tc The Old Greek translation includes the following words at the beginning of ch. 8: “It so happened that when Solomon finished building the Lord’s temple and his own house, after 20 years.”
Then Solomon convened in Jerusalem Israel’s elders, all the leaders of the Israelite tribes and families, so they could witness the transferal of the ark of the Lord’s covenant from the City of David (that is, Zion). ▼▼tn Heb “Then Solomon convened the elders of Israel, the heads of the tribes, the chiefs of the fathers belonging to the sons of Israel to King Solomon [in] Jerusalem to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord from the City of David (it is Zion).”
2All the men of Israel assembled before King Solomon during the festival ▼ in the month of Ethanim ▼▼sn The month Ethanim. This would be September-October in modern reckoning.
(the seventh month). 3When all Israel’s elders had arrived, the priests lifted the ark. 4The priests and Levites carried the ark of the Lord, the tent of meeting, ▼▼tn Heb “the tent of assembly.”
▼▼sn The tent of meeting. See Exod 33:7-11.
and all the holy items in the tent. ▼▼tn Heb “and they carried the ark of the Lord…. The priests and the Levites carried them.”
5Now King Solomon and all the Israelites who had assembled with him went on ahead of the ark and sacrificed more sheep and cattle than could be counted or numbered. ▼▼tn Heb “And King Solomon and all the assembly of Israel, those who had been gathered to him, [were] before the ark, sacrificing sheep and cattle which could not be counted or numbered because of the abundance.”
6 The priests brought the ark of the Lord’s covenant to its assigned ▼▼tn The word “assigned” is supplied in the translation for clarification.
place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, in the Most Holy Place, under the wings of the cherubim. 7The cherubim’s wings extended over the place where the ark sat; the cherubim overshadowed the ark and its poles. ▼▼sn And its poles. These poles were used to carry the ark. See Exod 25:13-15.
8The poles were so long their ends were visible from the Holy Place in front of the inner sanctuary, but they could not be seen from beyond that point. ▼▼tn Heb “they could not be seen outside.”
They have remained there to this very day. 9There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets Moses had placed there in Horeb. ▼▼sn Horeb is another name for Mount Sinai.
It was there that ▼▼tn Heb “in Horeb where.”
the Lord made a covenant with the Israelites after he brought them out of the land of Egypt. 10Once the priests left the Holy Place, a cloud filled the Lord’s temple. 11The priests could not carry out their duties ▼▼tn Heb “were not able to stand to serve.”
because of the cloud; the Lord’s glory filled his temple. ▼▼tn Heb “the house of the Lord.”
12 Then Solomon said, “The Lord has said that he lives in thick darkness. 13O Lord, ▼▼tn The words “O Lord” do not appear in the original text, but they are supplied for clarification; Solomon addresses the Lord in prayer at this point.
truly I have built a lofty temple for you, a place where you can live permanently.” 14Then the king turned around ▼▼tn Heb “turned his face.”
and pronounced a blessing over the whole Israelite assembly as they stood there. ▼▼tn Heb “and he blessed all the assembly of Israel, and all the assembly of Israel was standing.”
15He said, “The Lord God of Israel is worthy of praise because he has fulfilled ▼▼tn The Hebrew text reads, “by his hand he has fulfilled.”
what he promised ▼▼tn The Hebrew text reads, “he promised by his mouth.”
my father David. 16He told David, ▼ ‘Since the day I brought my people Israel out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city from all the tribes of Israel to build a temple in which to live. ▼▼tn Heb “to build a house for my name to be there.”
▼▼sn To build a temple in which to live (Heb “to build a house for my name to be there”). In the OT, the word “name” sometimes refers to one’s reputation or honor. The “name” of the Lord sometimes designates the Lord himself, being indistinguishable from the proper name.
But I have chosen David to lead my people Israel.’ 17Now my father David had a strong desire ▼▼tn Heb “and it was with the heart of David my father.”
to build a temple to honor the Lord God of Israel. ▼▼tn Heb “to build a house for the name of the Lord God of Israel.” The word “name” in the OT sometimes refers to one’s reputation or honor. The “name” of the Lord sometimes designates the Lord himself, being indistinguishable from the proper name.
18The Lord told my father David, ‘It is right for you to have a strong desire to build a temple to honor me. ▼▼tn Heb “Because it was with your heart to build a house for my name, you did well that it was with your heart.”
19But you will not build the temple; your very own son will build the temple for my honor.’ ▼▼tn Heb “your son, the one who came out of your body, he will build the temple for my name.”
20The Lord has kept the promise he made. ▼▼tn Heb “his word that he spoke.”
I have taken my father David’s place and have occupied the throne of Israel, as the Lord promised. I have built this temple for the honor ▼▼tn Heb “name.”
of the Lord God of Israel 21and set up in it a place for the ark containing the covenant the Lord made with our ancestors ▼ when he brought them out of the land of Egypt.”
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