1 Then King Solomon summoned into his presence at Jerusalem the elders of Israel, all the heads of the tribes and the chiefs of the Israelite families, to bring up the ark of the LORD’s covenant from Zion, the City of David.
2 All the Israelites came together to King Solomon at the time of the festival in the month of Ethanim, the seventh month.
3 When all the elders of Israel had arrived, the priests took up the ark,
4 and they brought up the ark of the LORD and the tent of meeting and all the sacred furnishings in it. The priests and Levites carried them up,
5 and King Solomon and the entire assembly of Israel that had gathered about him were before the ark, sacrificing so many sheep and cattle that they could not be recorded or counted.
6 The priests then brought the ark of the LORD’s covenant to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, and put it beneath the wings of the cherubim.
7 The cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark and overshadowed the ark and its carrying poles.
8 These poles were so long that their ends could be seen from the Holy Place in front of the inner sanctuary, but not from outside the Holy Place; and they are still there today.
9 There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where the LORD made a covenant with the Israelites after they came out of Egypt.
10 When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place, the cloud filled the temple of the LORD.
11 And the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled his temple.

Reflection

The Missing Piece (8:1–9)
In the seventh month, all of Israel comes together for the dedication of the temple eleven months after its completion. The celebration coincides with the Feast of Tabernacles, Israel’s annual harvest celebration and remembrance of God’s provision for His people in the wilderness. Now firmly established in the Promised Land, the people of Israel gather as the priests carry the ark to its resting place in the Most Holy Place. Without the ark, the symbol of God’s manifest presence, the temple is meaningless, a showy display without substance. The same is true in our lives. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. They are meant to be the place where God’s presence leads and guides us to reflect His goodness and grace to the world.

- In what ways is God’s presence reflected in your life and church? How has God provided for you during times of transition and “wilderness” wanderings?

Celebrating God’s Promises (8:10–11)
Imagine a worship service where the choir is unable to sing and the pastor unable to preach because of the awesome presence of God. This is precisely the scene described here. In many ways, what we are witnessing is the completion of God’s deliverance of His people from slavery in Egypt and their establishment in the land He promised. The wilderness is behind them. The future is bright. The struggles of the past are now seen in the light of the good days to come. So it is in our lives. Faith and hope light the way during dark days. The resurrection of Jesus and the promise of His imminent return guarantee a bright future lies ahead.

- What struggles have you overcome by God’s grace? How do you remember and celebrate His deliverance in your life? 

A letter to God 

Lord Jesus, I long to recognize Your presence in my life and church. May You come in the power of Your Spirit to set the captives free and empower Your servants to do Your will. In Your name, amen.

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