1 Kings 8:1 Meaning and Explanation
“Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto king Solomon in Jerusalem, that they might bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Solomon gathers Israel's leaders to bring the ark of the covenant up to the newly finished temple.
What Does 1 Kings 8:1 Mean?
The temple is complete, and now comes its heart: the ark, the gold-covered chest that carried the tablets of the law and marked the place where God met His people. Solomon calls together the elders, tribal heads, and family leaders to escort it from the city of David up to the house prepared for it.
The ark is not moved quietly or alone. The whole nation's leadership accompanies it, because the presence of God belongs to the whole covenant people, not to one man. So the gathered Church longs for God to dwell among His own, and Christ Himself becomes the meeting place where heaven and earth are joined.
1 Kings 8:1 in the Original Language
aron (אֲרוֹן), 'ark' -- a chest or box, here the sacred container of the covenant tablets.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Kings 8:1
What does 1 Kings 8:1 mean?
Solomon gathers Israel's leaders to bring the ark of the covenant up to the newly finished temple.