2 Chronicles 5:1–14 (September 19, 2025)

5:1 Thus all the work that Solomon did for the house of the Lord was finished. And Solomon brought in the things that David his father had dedicated, and stored the silver, the gold, and all the vessels in the treasuries of the house of God.

The Ark Brought to the Temple

2 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the leaders of the fathers' houses of the people of Israel, in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the city of David, which is Zion. 3 And all the men of Israel assembled before the king at the feast that is in the seventh month. 4 And all the elders of Israel came, and 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; the Levitical priests brought them up. 6 And King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, who had assembled before him, were before the ark, sacrificing so many sheep and oxen that they could not be counted or numbered. 7 Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the Lord to its place, in the inner sanctuary of the house, in the Most Holy Place, underneath the wings of the cherubim. 8 The cherubim spread out their wings over the place of the ark, so that the cherubim made a covering above the ark and its poles. 9 And the poles were so long that the ends of the poles were seen from the Holy Place before the inner sanctuary, but they could not be seen from outside. And they are[a] there to this day. 10 There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets that Moses put there at Horeb, where the Lord made a covenant with the people of Israel, when they came out of Egypt. 11 And when the priests came out of the Holy Place (for all the priests who were present had consecrated themselves, without regard to their divisions, 12 and all the Levitical singers, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, their sons and kinsmen, arrayed in fine linen, with cymbals, harps, and lyres, stood east of the altar with 120 priests who were trumpeters; 13 and it was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the Lord), and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the Lord,

“For he is good,

for his steadfast love endures forever,”

the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, 14 so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.

Footnotes

2 Chronicles 5:9 Hebrew it is

Summary

When all the work on the temple was complete, Solomon brought in the items that David had dedicated. He placed them in the treasuries of the temple (v. 1). The elders and Levites carried the ark of the covenant from the City of David into the Most Holy Place (vv. 2–7). The ark contained only the two tablets of the law that the Lord had given Moses (v. 10).

The priests withdrew after placing the ark, and all the Levitical singers, arrayed in white linen with cymbals, harps, and lyres, stood east of the altar with 120 priests sounding trumpets.

The sound of voices and instruments together praised the Lord: “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever” (v. 13). At that moment, the house of the Lord was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not stand to minister, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God (vv. 13–14).

Who is God?

God is the faithful covenant Lord whose presence dwells among His people. The ark at the temple’s center contained only the law, a reminder of God’s covenant word (v. 10). When the people gathered in obedience and praised His steadfast love, God responded by filling the temple with His glory.

He is a God who delights to dwell with His people in power and holiness. This reminds us that true worship is not about performance but about God’s presence. When His people lift their voices to magnify His goodness and covenant love, He draws near in glory.

What is our guilt?

Our guilt is that we often want the glory of God without the obedience and reverence that come with His covenant. The ark was central, yet many of us are tempted to marginalize God’s Word in worship. Israel’s song exalted God’s steadfast love, but we can be slow to praise, distracted, or halfhearted. Like the priests who could not stand under the weight of His presence (v. 14), we are reminded how lightly we sometimes treat the privilege of access to the holy God. We want His blessing, but we shrink from His glory, preferring worship that is convenient and comfortable rather than costly and reverent.

How does grace shine?

The glory that once filled Solomon’s temple has now come to us in Christ. John writes, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory” (John 1:14). As great as the temple and the ark with the law might have been, they were merely a shadow. Can you fathom this truth? Christ is the Word made flesh. The priests could not stand in the presence of God’s glory, no matter how much they consecrated themselves, but now, in Christ, we stand boldly in grace (Heb. 10:19–22).

The song of steadfast love endures forever, because the cross of Christ secures that love eternally. Where the glory cloud once filled the temple, now the Spirit fills the church, making us the dwelling place of God (Eph. 2:22). The glory has not departed—it has descended more fully in Jesus and abides with us through His Spirit.

Prayer

O Lord, your steadfast love endures forever, and your glory fills the earth. We confess that we often want your blessing without submitting to your Word, and we approach worship with divided hearts. Forgive us, and renew in us reverence and joy in your presence.

Thank you for Jesus Christ, the true ark and the Word made flesh, whose cross secures your covenant love and whose Spirit fills your church with glory. Teach us to lift our voices with one accord, so that our worship may reflect the majesty of your presence. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.