Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 8:5
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.
5. were with him before the ark ] This must refer to the time when the great procession had reached the Temple court. At that spot the ark was set down, and king and people joined in a solemn sacrifice, before the priests bore the ark into the most holy place.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Sacrificing sheep and oxen; either, first, In the way, David did upon the like occasion, 2Sa 6:13. Or, secondly, When the ark was come into the priests court, where the altar stood, whence it was speedily to be conveyed to that place where the people could never behold it more. Or rather, thirdly, When the ark was seated in its place; for although they might in the way or passage offer some sacrifices, as David did; yet that was not a proper season to offer so many sacrifices as could not be told nor numbered, as these are here said to be; which far better agrees with what is more particularly related below, 1Ki 8:62-64, which is here signified in the general by way of anticipation, as is frequently done in the Scripture in like cases.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And King Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel, that were assembled together,…. On this solemn occasion:
were with him before the ark; while it was in the court of the priests, before it was carried into the most holy place:
sacrificing sheep and oxen, that could not be told nor numbered for multitude; the phrase seems to be hyperbolical, and designed to denote a great number.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(5) Sacrificing.This inaugural sacrifice corresponded on a grand scale to the ceremonial of the day, when David brought up the ark to Zion. When they that bare the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings, seven bullocks and seven rams (2Sa. 6:13; 1Ch. 15:26). It was offered before the ark, either as it left Mount Zion, or on arrival in the Temple, before it passed out of sight into the oracle.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
5. Before the ark, sacrificing Not, as the Vulgate, were walking with him before the ark; or, as Josephus, “the king and all the people went before, rendering the ground moist with sacrifices.” But rather, before the ark was borne into the temple, Solomon and all the multitude assembled in front of it, that is, in sight of it, and offered sacrifices. Thus Thenius: “The ark has already reached the inner court, and there, before it is brought into its appointed place, while it is set down for the time upon the steps of the porch, the king and people offer a solemn sacrifice in its presence.”
Could not be told See note on 1Ki 3:4.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
1Ki 8:5 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.
Ver. 5. Sacrificing sheep and oxen. ] At every six paces likely, as 2Sa 6:13 , but far more liberally.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
sacrificing sheep: 1Ki 8:62, 1Ki 8:63, 2Sa 6:13, 1Ch 16:1
Reciprocal: 2Sa 6:17 – offered 1Ki 8:21 – And I have 1Ki 12:32 – like unto 2Ch 5:6 – General
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Ki 8:5. King Solomon, and all the congregation with him before the ark This ceremony of removing the ark from the tabernacle which David had erected for it, to the temple, and depositing it in the most holy place, was opened with a pompous procession. The king himself, accompanied by all his chief officers and the elders of Israel, marched before the ark; these were followed by a great number of priests and Levites, who sung some canticles proper to the occasion, and played upon various instruments. Next to the ark followed another number of singers and players, with other priests bearing the tabernacle and the sacred utensils of the sanctuary, which had been brought from Gibeon. While the priests were placing the ark in the most holy place, the air rung with the sound of a hundred and twenty trumpets, and with the voices of the Levites, who sang the praises of God, repeating these words at proper intervals; Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; and his mercy endureth for ever. It was then that God seemed to come down in a visible manner, to take possession, as it were, of his new temple, by filling it with a glorious cloud, as he had formerly done the tabernacle; insomuch that the priests could not stand to offer up the sacrifices which they had prepared upon that occasion. See Universal Hist. Sacrificing sheep and oxen that could not be numbered When the ark was seated in its place; for although they might in the way offer some sacrifices, as David did, yet that was not a proper season to offer so many sacrifices as could not be numbered. This is more particularly related below, (1Ki 8:62-64,) and is here only mentioned by way of anticipation.