1 Kings 8:6-9 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 8:1-11

The temple, though richly beautified, yet while it was without the ark was like a body without a soul, or a candlestick without a candle, or (to speak more properly) a house without an inhabitant. All the cost and pains bestowed on this stately structure are lost if God do not accept them; and, unless he please to own it as the place where he will record his name, it is after all but a ruinous heap. When therefore all the work is ended (1 Kgs. 7:51), the one thing needful is yet behind, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 8:6

And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the Lord unto his place ,.... Destined for it, the like to which it had in the tabernacle: into the oracle of the house, to the most holy place ; that part of the house where the divine oracle was, the holy of holies; for though into it none but the high priest might enter, and he but once a year; yet in case of necessity, as for the repair of it, which the Jews F19 Vid. Maimon. Hilchot Beth Habechirah, c. 7. sect. 23. gather... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 8:7

For the cherubim spread forth their two wings over the place of the ark ,.... The most holy place where the ark stood, even from wall to wall: and the cherubim covered the ark, and the staves thereof above ; so that neither could be seen. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 8:8

And they drew out the staves ,.... Not made them larger, as Ben Gersom, than those in the tabernacle of Moses, this place being larger than that; nor did they draw them wholly out, and lay them up in the sanctuary, there being no further use for them, the ark having now a fixed place, and not to be removed; which would have been contrary to Exodus 25:15 but they drew them out some little way: that the ends of the staves were seen out in the holy place before the oracle ; not in that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 8:9

There was nothing in the ark, save the two tables of stone which Moses put there at Horeb ,.... That is, there were no other writings; or, as Ben Gersom says, no other part of the law, but the decalogue otherwise he observes there were in it Aaron's rod and the pot of manna, according to Hebrews 9:4 though the particle there may be rendered "at", or "with", or "by"; see Gill on Hebrews 9:4 and so they might be not within it, but in some place on the sides of it, see Deuteronomy 31:26 ,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 8:8

And there they are unto this day - This proves that the book was written before the destruction of the first temple, but how long before we cannot tell. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 8:9

Save the two tables of stone - See my notes on Hebrews 9:4 ; (note). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 8:6

And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant unto his [ i.e; its . But this word is never found in the A.V. It has come into use since the date of our translation] place [cf. 1 Kings 6:19 ] into the oracle of the house, to the most holy place [Heb. holy of holies ] , even under the wings of the cherubims [ 1 Kings 6:27 . Whether the ark stood with its length east and west, or north and south, it is somewhat difficult to decide. But see on 1 Kings 6:8 ]. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 8:6

The Ark of the Covenant. The ark was the heart of the temple. For it the shrine was erected. It was regarded as the throne of Jehovah. Hence the reverence with which it was approached. In itself the ark was not very remarkable. It was a chest 2.5 cubits long, and 1.5 cubits deep and broad, made of wood covered with gold; the lid, called "the mercy seat," being of pure gold, having the cherubim at its ends. For its construction see Exodus 25:1-40 ; where it is placed first as the most... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 8:7

For the cherubims spread forth their two wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubims covered [ יָסֹכוּ from סָכַךְ , texit ; hence, סֻכָה , booth ; LXX . περιεκάλυπτον , i.e; overshadowed and concealed. This word is of some importance as showing that the ark would thenceforward and always be in complete darkness, under the outstretched wings of the cherubim—a fact which suggests the true explanation of the following verse] the ark and the staves thereof... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 8:1-11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 8:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 8:7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 8:8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 8:9

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 8:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 8:9

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 8:6

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 8:6

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 8:7

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