1 Kings 8

The temple isn’t the Temple without the Ark of the covenant. In chapter 8 we see Solomon bring the Ark from the city of David just south of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem up to the newly built Temple so that it could be dedicated to the Lord and the center place of worship for Israel.

As we see this play out realize that there would have been a sea of people, literally millions of people showing up to witness this historic event. It would be the largest parade type event ever seen in Israel.

Verses 1-2

If you remember from last week the Temple was finished in the 7th month the year prior. So it has been 11 months since the completion of the Temple at this point.

We are not completely sure what the delay was but it is most likely because it coincided with being able to celebrate the feast of Tabernacles.

Also we have church history that tells us that Solomon waiting the 11 months because he could then dedicate the Temple during the year of Jubilee.

Verses 3-9

You might remember that when David brought the Ark back to Jerusalem in 2 Samuel 6 he did so on a cart instead of the way that God prescribed which was to be carried by the priests only. The result of David transporting the Ark in a way that God did not approve of was the death of a man...

2 Samuel 6:6–8 ESV

6 And when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. 7 And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and God struck him down there because of his error, and he died there beside the ark of God. 8 And David was angry because the Lord had broken out against Uzzah. And that place is called Perez-uzzah to this day.

So we see Solomon moving the Ark the proper way to avoid such disaster.

Nothing was in the ark except the 2 tablets of stone - We are not told what happened to the golden pot that had manna from the Israelite’s time in the wilderness that was put in the ark in Exodus 16

Exodus 16:33 ESV

33 And Moses said to Aaron, “Take a jar, and put an omer of manna in it, and place it before the Lord to be kept throughout your generations.”

We also do not know what happened to Aaron’s rod that budded that was set before the ark in Numbers 17

Numbers 17:10 ESV

10 And the Lord said to Moses, “Put back the staff of Aaron before the testimony, to be kept as a sign for the rebels, that you may make an end of their grumblings against me, lest they die.”

I like what John Courson said...

Courson’s Application Commentary, Old Testament Volume 1 (Genesis–Job) 1 Kings 8:9

Hebrews 9:4 tells us that the ark contained the Ten Commandments, a pot of manna, and Aaron’s rod. Here, however, we see only the Ten Commandments within the ark. I believe the Holy Spirit included this information to help us to come to a very important understanding. That is, signs and wonders—budding rods and manna—as wonderful as they are, are not lasting. What lasts, what endures, what is absolutely essential is the Word of God.

Verses 10-13

This is the Shekinah glory of God that has been present with Israel many times before this moment as God’s presence led the Children of Israel in pillar of cloud by day in the wilderness, in a cloud on top of Mount Sinai as He gave the law and instructions for the tabernacle to Moses and the people, and plenty of other times God’s presence appeared to His people in the cloud as He spoke to His people, and was the way He manifested His presence in the Holy of Holies. It was also the same way God revealed His presence at the Mount of Transfiguration in Luke 9:34-35, and seems to be the same same cloud that Jesus was received into at His ascension in Acts 1:9, and will be the cloud that Jesus comes back on at His 2nd coming.

Verses 14-21

Verses 22-23

Verses 24-26

Verses 27-30

In those days the answer was no, but we know that God did indeed dwell on the earth for our sake!

John 1:14 ESV

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Pray toward this place - Many observant Jews turn toward Jerusalem from wherever they are even to this day when they pray.

Verses 31-32

Here we begin a list of 7 situations that could and would arise that would need God’s intervention.

Verses 33-34

Verses 35-40

Verses 41-43

Court of the Gentiles...

Verses 44-53

Verses 54-61

This is the first of many times we see someone in Scripture praying on their knees.

The account in 2 Chronicles 7 tells us that this happened after Solomon prayed.

2 Chronicles 7:1–3 ESV

1 As soon as Solomon finished his prayer, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. 2 And the priests could not enter the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord filled the Lord’s house. 3 When all the people of Israel saw the fire come down and the glory of the Lord on the temple, they bowed down with their faces to the ground on the pavement and worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”

Verses 62-66