2 Chronicles Chapter 5
1 Thus all the work that Solomon did for the LORD's house was finished. Solomon brought in the things that David his father had dedicated, even the silver, the gold, and all the vessels, and put them in the treasuries of God's house.
2 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the princes of the fathers' households of the children of Israel, to Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the LORD's covenant out of David's city, which is Zion.
3 So all the men of Israel assembled themselves to the king at the feast, which was in the seventh month.
4 All the elders of Israel came. The Levites took up the ark;
5 and they brought up the ark, the Tent of Meeting, and all the holy vessels that were in the Tent; these the Levitical priests brought up.
6 King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, who were assembled to him, were before the ark, sacrificing sheep and cattle that could not be counted or numbered for multitude.
7 The priests brought in the ark of the LORD's covenant to its place, into the inner sanctuary of the house, to the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubim.
8 For the cherubim spread out their wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubim covered the ark and its poles above.
9 The poles were so long that the ends of the poles were seen from the ark in front of the inner sanctuary; but they were not seen outside; and it is there to this day.
10 There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets which Moses put at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of Egypt.
11 When the priests had come out of the holy place (for all the priests who were present had sanctified themselves, and didn't keep their divisions;
12 also the Levites who were the singers, all of them, even Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and their brothers, arrayed in fine linen, with cymbals and stringed instruments and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them one hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets);
13 when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the LORD, saying, "For he is good; for his loving kindness endures forever!" then the house was filled with a cloud, even the LORD's house,
14 so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud; for the LORD's glory filled God's house.
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2 Chronicles Chapter 5 Guide
Construction being completed, the happy and solemn ceremony of dedication by the people and consecration by God followed immediately. With awe-inspiring dignity the Ark of God was carried to its resting place-not a new one, but which for long years had been the very centre of the nation's lifer Its progress to position was accompanied by vast sacrifices, which spoke eloquently and solemnly of sinful men's only way of approach to God.
Then came a great burst of harmony in which vocal and instrumental music were combined in chanting, the song of the goodness and mercy of God.
Thus man's dedication of the house of God was completed, and it was immediately answered by God's consecration. As in the Tabernacle of old, so now in the new Temple, the cloud of glory possessed and filled the sacred place so that the ministrations of the priests had to cease.
There is an order in this which we do well to consider. Work performed according to the divine order, offered in sacrifice and praise, is acceptable to God. Such work He receives by possessing it with His own presence and glory. Such reception ever halts our service, so that, without activity, even of the highest order, we may wonder and worship.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
2 Chronicles Chapter 5 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- The ark placed in the temple. -- (1-10)
- The temple filled with glory. -- (11-14)
Verses 1-10
The ark was a type of Christ, and, as such, a token of the presence of God. That gracious promise, Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world, does, in effect, bring the ark into our religious assemblies, if we by faith and prayer plead that promise; and this we should be most earnest for. When Christ is formed in a soul, the law written in the heart, the ark of the covenant settled there, so that it becomes the temple of the Holy Ghost, there is true satisfaction in that soul.
Verses 11-14
God took possession of the temple; he filled it with a cloud. Thus he signified his acceptance of this temple, to be the same to him that the tabernacle of Moses was, and assured his people that he would be the same in it. Would we have God dwell in our hearts, we must leave room for him; every thing else must give way. The Word was made flesh; and when he comes to his temple, like a refiner's fire, who may abide the day of his coming? May he prepare us for that day.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.