1 Kings 8:9

The Ark Enters the Temple · 1 Kings 8:1–11
Read 1 Kings 8

Translations

Modern
There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where the LORD had made a covenant with the Israelites after they had come out of the land of Egypt.
Traditional
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.
Literal
Nothing was in the ark except the two tablets of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb when YHWH cut with the sons of Israel when they came out of the land of Egypt.
Latin
In arca autem non erat aliud nisi duæ tabulæ lapideæ quas posuerat in ea Moyses in Horeb, quando pepigit Dominus fœdus cum filiis Israël, cum egrederentur de terra Ægypti.

Original

Hebrew
English
There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where the LORD had made a covenant with the Israelites after they had come out of the land of Egypt.

Notes

The emphasis on the two stone tablets that Moses put in the ark (see 1 Kings 8:21; Exodus 25:21; Deuteronomy 31:26) suggests Solomon was thinking about renewing the covenant of Moses and dedicating the temple.

Solomon's building efforts peaked when he moved the ark to the new temple. The king prayed (1 Kings 8:22–53) and offered praise and blessings (8:56–61) to dedicate the temple to the Lord. After the dedication, the people celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles. The story highlights Solomon praising God and blessing the people (1 Kings 8:12–61).

The construction of the Temple and palace complex, along with the temple's dedication celebration, are key events in the 1 Kings account of Solomon's time. The temple, built to honor God, was Israel's most important building. Therefore, the writer of 1 Kings documented its construction details thoroughly.

Events

Parallels

2 Chronicles 5:1–14

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt

Places

Egypt: Ancient nation; Israelites enslaved there; plagues and Exodus Sinai: Mountain where Moses received the Ten Commandments

Glossary

Ark of the Covenant Haggai, Book of Kings, Books of First and Second Mount Sinai Temple

Topics

Ark of the Covenant: Tables of Testimony Alone Placed In Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: The Law Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant: Transferred to Solomon's Temple Dedication: Subjects of Temple of Solomon Horeb: A Range of Mountains of Which Mount Sinai is the Most Prominent Law: (Contained in the Books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy): Divine Authority For Table: of Testimony were Placed in the Ark of the Covenant The Ark of Covenant the First Temple: The Ark of God Brought Into with Great Solemnity Worship: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To