Solomon Brings The Ark to The Temple

I Kings 8:1–21
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Chapter eight shares the climax of Solomon’s accomplishments and the dedication of the temple. The verses today recount the period of “moving in” (vv. 1-21). The most important item after all the new furnishings and utensils had been put in place was the Ark of the Covenant, which was from the wilderness tabernacle. Just as God had prescribed, the Ark was carried by the priests by means of long poles through rings on its’ sides. The priests put the Ark in its place under the outstretched wings of the golden cherubim in the Most Holy Place. Solomon stated that the temple was built with the Ark in mind (vv. 20-21). Inside the Ark were the two stone tables on which were written the ten commandments (v. 9). The pot of manna and Aaron’s rod that budded, which had been preserved in the Ark (Heb. 9:4) for many years were no longer there.

When the priests came out of the Temple an awesome thing happened. The cloud of the glory of the Lord filled the house and this was a visible sign of God’s presence. Solomon explained to the people that God had said He would dwell in the cloud over the Temple (Ex. 19:9; Lev. 16:2; Duet. 4:11).  The cloud did not remain visible to the people. After the dedication, it was visible only to the high priest when he entered the Holy of Holies.

Application

God says it is more important to build spiritual leaders than it is to build buildings. He wants to use me more than He does to use a building made from wood and stone. I must be careful to not become more interested in the physical than the spiritual.