Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 8:3
And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.
3. all the elders ] The other representative persons mentioned in 1Ki 8:1 are all no doubt to be included in this phrase.
the priests took up the ark ] This duty was usually performed by the Levites (cf. Num 2:31), but on very solemn occasions the priests undertook it (see Jos 3:6; Jos 6:6). At this time it was necessary that they should do so, for the ark was to be brought into the most holy place, whither the Levites (Num 4:20) were forbidden to enter. Moreover, the final conveyance of the ark to its special seat was a duty to call for the most sacred of God’s ministers. It is worth while to compare with this passage the statement in 2Ch 5:4. There it is said ‘and the Levites took up the ark,’ and the narrative then continues, stating that the Levites ‘brought up’ the ark, i.e. carried it during the transfer, but before its introduction into the Temple, the phrase changes and we read ‘the priests brought in the ark of the covenant into his place.’
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
In 2Ch 5:4, the Levites took up the ark; and by the Law the ark was the special charge of the Kohathites Num 3:31; Num 4:15. But all priests were Levites Jos 3:3, though all Levites were not priests. And as Joshua had done Jos 3:6; Jos 6:6, so Solomon called upon the priests to bear the holy structure, allowing to mere Levites only the inferior honor of helping to transport the tabernacle and the vessels of the sanctuary.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
For although the Levites might do this, Num 4:15, yet the priests did it at this time, partly for the greater honour of the solemnity, and partly because the Levites might not enter into the holy place, much less into the holy of holies, where it was to be placed, into which the priests themselves might not have entered, if the high priest alone could have done it.
Object. The Levites are said to have done this, 2Ch 5:4.
Answ. That is most true, because all the priests were Levites, though all the Levites were not priests.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And all the elders of Israel came,…. To Zion, the city of David:
and the priests took up the ark; from thence; in 2Ch 5:4 it is said the Levites did it, whose business it was, De 31:25, and so the priests might be called; for every priest was a Levite, though every Levite was not a priest, and the priests did at all times bear the ark; see Jos 3:15.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(3) The priests took up the ark.To bear the ark on its journeys was properly the duty of the Levites of the family of Kohath (Num. 3:31; Num. 4:5); but to bring it out of the Holy of Holies (or, as here, from whatever corresponded thereto in the tent erected for the ark on Mount Zion), and to replace it therein, was the work of the priests alone. Hence in this passage, with literal accuracy, it is said, first, that the priests took up the ark; then (1Ki. 8:4) that the priests and Levites brought up the ark and the holy things; and, lastly (1Ki. 8:6), that the priests brought in the ark into the oracle. Josephus, indeed, declares that, as was natural on this occasion of special solemnityjust as at the passage of the Jordan, and the circuit round the walls of Jericho (Jos. 3:6-17; Jos. 6:6)the priests themselves bore the ark, while the Levites bore only the vessels and furniture of the Tabernacle.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
3. The priests took up the ark According to the requirements of the law, (Num 4:15; Deu 31:9,) and not as David carelessly attempted to do. Compare 2Sa 6:3; 1Ch 15:13. The parallel passage in Chronicles says that “the Levites took up the ark,” but that is no contradiction of this verse, for all priests were Levites, though all Levites were not priests. Priests bore the ark across the Jordan and around Jericho. Jos 3:6; Jos 6:6.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
(3) And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark. (4) And they brought up the ark of the LORD, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and all the holy vessels that were in the tabernacle, even those did the priests and the Levites bring up. (5) And king Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel, that were assembled unto him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen, that could not be told nor numbered for multitude. (6) And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD unto his place, into the oracle of the house, to the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubims. (7) For the cherubims spread forth their two wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubims covered the ark and the staves thereof above. (8) And they drew out the staves, that the ends of the staves were seen out in the holy place before the oracle, and they were not seen without: and there they are unto this day.
The ceremony of fetching the ark, bringing it up, and placing it in the holy place appointed for it, was not done without abundance of sacrifices. Jesus, our Ark, did not enter into the holy place, until by the sacrifice of himself he had obtained eternal redemption for us.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
1Ki 8:3 And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.
Ver. 3. And all the elders of Israel came. ] Heads of tribes, and fathers of families: bringing with them multitudes of common people, who cheerfully and voluntarily flocked to this feast, quod ob hanc dedicationem magnificentissimam fuit solemnissimum, saith A. Lapide.
And the priests took up the ark.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
took up. As commanded in Num 4:5, Num 4:15, Num 4:19.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
the priests took up: Num 4:15, Deu 31:9, Jos 3:6, Jos 3:14, Jos 3:15, Jos 4:9, Jos 6:6, 1Ch 15:2, 1Ch 15:11-15, 2Ch 5:5-8
Reciprocal: Deu 10:8 – bear 2Ch 5:4 – the Levites
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Ki 8:3. The priests took up the ark The ark had been carried by the priests three times before this; when they went over Jordan; when they encompassed the walls of Jericho; and when David sent it back by Zadok and Abiathar, at the time when he fled from Absalom. It was, however, the office of the Levites to carry the ark, which they did, except upon special occasions, of which this was one. The priests were now appointed to carry it for the greater honour of the solemnity; and because the Levites might not enter into the holy place, much less into the holy of holies, where it was to be placed, into which the priests themselves might not have entered, if the high-priest alone could have done this work without them.