1 Kings 8:9 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 8:9

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 8:9

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 8:8-11

The Dedication of the Temple and its Teaching. The eighth day of the seventh month of the year 1004 B.C or, according to some, B.C. 1000, was one of the brightest days of Jewish history— "a day in golden letters to be set Among the high tides of the calendar;" for on that day the holy and beautiful house, which had been seven and a half years in building, for which preparations had been made for a much longer period ( 1 Chronicles 22:5 ), and on which a force of some one hundred... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 8:9

There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone which Moses put there [ Exodus 25:16 ; Exodus 40:20 ; Deuteronomy 10:5 . This statement appears to be at variance with Hebrews 9:4 , which mentions "the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded," as in the ark, along with "the tables of the covenant." And it is to be observed that, while our text excludes these relics from the ark ( temp . Solomon), no other scripture save that just cited expressly includes... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 8:9

Comparing this statement with Hebrews 9:4, it would seem that Solomon, now that the sacred chest had reached its final resting-place, and stood in a large chamber surrounded by tables 2 Chronicles 4:8, removed the pot of manna and the rod from the interior, and set them elsewhere in the holy of holies. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 8:9

1 Kings 8:9. There was nothing in the ark, &c. Strictly and properly speaking. But in a looser sense, the pot of manna, and Aaron’s rod were also in or by it, (Hebrews 9:4,) being placed by Moses, as God commanded, (Numbers 17:10,) before the ark of the testimony, in the most holy place. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 8:1-21

The ark brought to the temple (8:1-21)People came from all over Israel to celebrate the dedication of the temple (see v. 65). The ceremony took place at the time of the mid-year festival season (8:1-2; see Leviticus 23:24,Leviticus 23:27,Leviticus 23:34).In transferring the ark from David’s temporary tent to the temple, Solomon, evidently remembering the mistake of his father, was careful to see that the priests and Levites carried the ark and all the holy vessels in the proper manner (3-9; cf.... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Kings 8:9

save, &c. Hebrews 9:4 speaks of the Ark as it was in the Tabernacle, not as in the Temple. Compare Hebrews 9:2 , Hebrews 9:3 , Hebrews 9:4 . when. Israel. The Septuagint reads "the Tables which Moses placed [there] in Horeb, which [Tables] the LORD covenanted with the sons of Israel". read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Kings 8:9

1 Kings 8:9. There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone, &c.— See Hebrews 9:4. Note; Though our eyes behold not the lustre of the Jewish temple, yet whilst by faith we are enabled to look to Jesus, all our requests will be granted, and at last with open face, we shall behold his brighter glory. read more