Topical Bible: Temple: Solomon's: The Ark of the Covenant

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The Ark of the Covenant holds a central place in the history and religious life of ancient Israel, particularly in relation to Solomon's Temple. The Ark, a sacred chest made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold, was constructed according to divine instructions given to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 25:10-22). It contained the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, Aaron's rod that budded, and a pot of manna (Hebrews 9:4).

The Ark's Journey to Solomon's Temple

The Ark's journey to Solomon's Temple marks a significant moment in Israel's history. After being housed in the Tabernacle during the wilderness wanderings and later in various locations, including Shiloh and Kiriath-jearim, King David brought the Ark to Jerusalem with great celebration (2 Samuel 6:12-15). However, it was Solomon, David's son, who would build a permanent dwelling for the Ark within the Temple.

The Dedication of Solomon's Temple

Solomon's Temple, also known as the First Temple, was constructed on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem, a site chosen by God and purchased by David (2 Chronicles 3:1). The Temple was completed in the eleventh year of Solomon's reign, and the Ark was brought into the Most Holy Place, or the Holy of Holies, during the Temple's dedication ceremony. This event is described in 1 Kings 8:6-11 and 2 Chronicles 5:7-14.

The Levites and priests carried the Ark into the inner sanctuary, placing it beneath the wings of the cherubim. As the Ark was set in place, the glory of the LORD filled the Temple, signifying God's presence among His people. The Berean Standard Bible records, "And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, the cloud filled the house of the LORD, so that the priests could not stand there to minister because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD" (1 Kings 8:10-11).

Significance of the Ark in Solomon's Temple

The Ark of the Covenant in Solomon's Temple symbolized the covenantal relationship between God and Israel. It was the focal point of worship and the place where God's presence dwelt among His people. The Ark's placement in the Holy of Holies, accessible only to the high priest once a year on the Day of Atonement, underscored the holiness and separateness of God, as well as the need for atonement and mediation.

The Ark's presence in the Temple also fulfilled God's promise to David that his son would build a house for the LORD's Name (2 Samuel 7:12-13). Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the Temple reflects the Ark's significance: "Now arise, O LORD God, and come to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your strength. May Your priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation, and may Your godly ones rejoice in goodness" (2 Chronicles 6:41).

The Ark's Legacy

The Ark of the Covenant remained in Solomon's Temple until the Temple's destruction by the Babylonians in 586 BC. Its fate after this event is not detailed in Scripture, leading to much speculation and mystery. Despite its physical absence, the Ark's legacy endures as a symbol of God's covenant, His holiness, and His desire to dwell among His people.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Kings 6:19
And the oracle he prepared in the house within, to set there the ark of the covenant of the LORD.
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1 Kings 8:6
And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD to his place, into the oracle of the house, to the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubim.
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2 Chronicles 5:2-10
Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, to Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion.
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Library

The Account of the Building of Solomon's Temple Contains Serious ...
... The Account of the Building of Solomon's Temple Contains Serious ... some sort of an
ascent about the temple of God ... that called Dabir, [5126] where the ark of the ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/24 the account of the.htm

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
... courts, the holy of holies, all the utensils, and the ark, were types ... of the glory
of our gospel matters in this temple which Solomon builded; therefore ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm

The Temple Spoken of by Christ is the Church. Application to the ...
... a stone of the inmost parts, where the ark is, and ... who were appointed over the works
of Solomon, and the ... who make the stones fitted for the temple, have some ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/23 the temple spoken of.htm

The Temple and Its Dedication
... In bringing to the temple the sacred ark containing ... of God the precepts of the Decalogue,
Solomon had followed ... ceremony, "the priests brought in the ark of the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 2 the temple and.htm

The Return of the Holy Family from Egypt
... had a temple which they said was like Solomon's temple, but this was idle boasting,
for it was utterly different. They had an Ark of the Covenant in imitation ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xvii the return of the.htm

The Captivity.
... than Hezekiah had done, overthrowing even Solomon's idol temples ... the Jews have a
story, that knowing the Temple was to be destroyed, he saved the Ark of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson x the captivity.htm

David's Charge to Solomon
... to build an house of rest for the ark of the ... office, and, among the latter, that
of building the Temple. ... unspoken inference is that loyalty to Solomon would be ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/davids charge to solomon.htm

A Little Sanctuary
... the horns of the altar to escape from Solomon's armed men ... stillness within the Holy
of Holies of the temple must have ... name of the cover of the sacred ark of the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 34 1888/a little sanctuary.htm

The Kingdom of all Israel.
... his horn for ever, He gave him a covenant of kings ... to raise a solid home for the
Ark, but this ... being offered to build and adorn the Temple, Solomon's great work ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson vi the kingdom of.htm

Author's Preface.
... The Ark. The flood. ... Solomon's writings. Nations surrounding Israel. ... From the Destruction
of the Temple to the Death of the Apostle John..The period of history. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tidwell/the bible period by period/authors preface.htm