1 Kings 8:1-21

8:1 | Zion was the hill that David took from the Jebusites, but later the name was applied to the temple area northward – in the City of David, Jerusalem. Solomon first assembly of Israel for the temple dedication.

8:2 | During the feast mentioned here, the Feast of Tabernacles (Lev. 23:33-43), the Israelites lived in temporary shelters to commemorate God’s miraculous provision in their journey to the Promised Land.

8:3-8 | Just as God had prescribed, the priests carried the ark using long poles that passed through rings on its sides (Num. 7:9). This reflects God’s utter holiness – His separateness. No one can approach Him except on the conditions He sets. The priests kept the people from touching the ark, an act that would lead to death (2 Sam. 6:7). Contrast this with the access God’s people have to Him today, through Jesus Christ (Heb. 10:19-22).

8:9 | The ark contained only the two tablets of stone that communicated the covenant God made with His people (Deut. 9:9; 10:1-8): the Ten Commandments.

8:10-12 | At one time, the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle (Ex. 40:34-35). The cloud symbolized God’s mystery, obscuring the view of Him. It also represented His nearness – He was present in a tangible way.