1 Kings 8:9

_THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE ARK SAVE THE TWO TABLES OF STONE, WHICH MOSES PUT THERE AT HOREB, WHEN THE LORD MADE A COVENANT WITH THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, WHEN THEY CAME OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT._ There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone (Deuteronomy 31:26). Some have concluded from this statement that Aaron rod (Numbers 17:10), the golden censer and the manna (Exodus 16:33), had been removed since the Israelites were settled in the promised land or lost while the ark was captive among the Philistines. But nothing else was ever in the ark, the articles mentioned Hebrews 9:4, being not in, but by it, be

1-11 The bringing in the ark, is the end which must crown the work: this was done with great solemnity. The ark was fixed in the place appointed for its rest in the inner part of the house, whence they expected God to speak to them, even in the most holy place. The staves of the ark were drawn out, so as to direct the high priest to the mercy-seat over the ark, when he went in, once a year, to sprinkle the blood there; so that they continued of use, though there was no longer occasion to carry it by them. The glory of God appearing in a cloud may signify, 1. The darkness of that dispensation, in comparison with the light of the gospel, by which, with open face, we behold, as in a glass, the glory of the Lord. 2. The darkness of our present state, in comparison with the sight of God, which will be the happiness of heaven, where the Divine glory is unveiled....

Verse 1 Kings 8:9. _SAVE THE TWO TABLES OF STONE_] Hebrews 9:4....

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....

EXPOSITION THE DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLE.—The stately and impressive service with which the Temple, the character and contents of which have now been described, was dedicated, is related in this chapter, and divides itself into four sections. We have (1) the removal of the ark and Solomon's ascription of praise on the occasion (1 Kings 8:1). (2) The prayer of consecration (1 Kings 8:23-11). (3) The benediction of the congregation (1 Kings 8:55-11), and (4) the festal sacrifices which followed on and completed the dedication ...

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", Hebrews 9:4 and so they might be not within it, but in some place on the sides of it, see Deuteronomy 31:26, WHEN THE LORD MADE A COVENANT WITH THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, WHEN THEY CAME OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT; about two months after....

CHAPTER 8THE DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLE _ 1. The great assembly (1 Kings 8:1)_ 2. The transportation of the ark (1 Kings 8:3) 3. The glory of the LORD filling the house (1 Kings 8:10) 4. Solomon's opening words (1 Kings 8:12) 5. Solomon's great prayer (1 Kings 8:22) 6. Solomon's benediction (1 Kings 8:54) 7. The sacrifices and the feast ...

SOLOMON'S DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLE, PRAYER AND ADDRESS. This chapter is mainly Deuteronomic, being clearly written from the standpoint of one who has seen the Temple as the one national sanctuary of Israel, and has either witnessed its downfall or perceived that it was imminent. 1 Kings 8:1 is, however, probably from the early record of how the house of Yahweh was dedicated by Solomon, of which 1 Kings 8:62 is the continuation, the prayer of Solomon being Deuteronomic. In 1 Kings 8:12 f. we may have preserved an authentic poetic utterance of Solomon himself in the words of the dedication of the Temple. As they are given in the LXX they read as follows: Yahweh set the sun in heaven,...

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"....

There was _nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone_ We read in Hebrews 9:4 that in the ark of the covenant -was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded" as well as the tables of the covenant, and we may be sure that the writer there speaks according to tradition. The Old Testament narrative (Exodus 16:34) says that the pot of manna was laid up -before the testimony" and the same expression is used (Numbers 17:10) concerning Aaron's rod. This does not define whether they were put inside or on the outside of the ark. But it is most probable that during the time when the ark was moved from place to place they were kept inside it, but as soon as it was placed within the Temple they were removed. For the ta