1 Kings 8:1 kjv
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.
1 Kings 8:1 nkjv
Now Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the chief fathers of the children of Israel, to King Solomon in Jerusalem, that they might bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from the City of David, which is Zion.
1 Kings 8:1 niv
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.
1 Kings 8:1 esv
Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the leaders of the fathers' houses of the people of Israel, before King Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion.
1 Kings 8:1 nlt
Solomon then summoned to Jerusalem the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes ? the leaders of the ancestral families of the Israelites. They were to bring the Ark of the LORD's Covenant to the Temple from its location in the City of David, also known as Zion.
1 Kings 8 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 25:22 | "And there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you... from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim..." | Ark as meeting place of God with His people. |
| Num 10:33 | "So they departed from the mount of the LORD... and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them..." | Ark leads Israel, symbolizing God's guidance. |
| Deut 12:5-7 | "But you shall seek the place where the LORD your God chooses, out of all your tribes, to put His name for His dwelling..." | Command for a central sanctuary; foreshadows Jerusalem. |
| Josh 3:6 | "Then Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, 'Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over before the people.'" | Ark's role in major national transitions. |
| 1 Sam 4:3-11 | "Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD from Shiloh to us..." | Ark as symbol of God's presence in battle, yet capture possible. |
| 2 Sam 6:1-17 | "Again David gathered all the choice men of Israel... to bring up the ark of God..." | David's initial attempt and successful bringing of Ark to Jerusalem. |
| 2 Sam 5:7, 9 | "Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion... So David dwelt in the stronghold, and called it the City of David." | Establishes Zion/City of David as David's capital. |
| 1 Chron 15:25 | "So David and the elders of Israel and the captains over thousands went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from the house of Obed-Edom with joy." | Parallel account, emphasizing unified leadership and joy. |
| 1 Kgs 6:1 | "Now it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel had come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign..." | Context: Start of Temple building. |
| 1 Kgs 7:51 | "So King Solomon finished all the work that he had done for the house of the LORD..." | Immediate context: Temple completion. |
| 1 Kgs 8:2-10 | "Therefore all the men of Israel assembled... And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place..." | Following verses describe the procession and Ark's placement. |
| 2 Chron 5:2-10 | "Now Solomon assembled the elders of Israel... Then the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD..." | Direct parallel account in Chronicles. |
| Ps 78:67-68 | "Moreover He rejected the tent of Joseph... But chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion which He loved." | God's specific choice of Judah and Zion for His dwelling. |
| Ps 132:8 | "Arise, O LORD, to Your resting place; You and the ark of Your strength." | Prayer for God to inhabit the Temple via the Ark. |
| Jer 3:16 | "In those days, says the LORD, 'They shall say no more, 'The ark of the covenant of the LORD.'' " | Prophecy about a future era where the Ark will not be needed. |
| Ezek 43:4-5 | "And the glory of the LORD came into the temple by way of the gate... Then the Spirit lifted me up..." | Prophetic vision of God's glory returning to Temple. |
| Heb 9:3-5 | "And behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All... containing the ark of the covenant..." | New Testament description of the Ark's place in the Tabernacle. |
| Rev 11:19 | "Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple..." | Vision of the heavenly Ark, reminding of ultimate divine presence. |
| John 2:19-21 | "Jesus answered and said to them, 'Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.' ...He was speaking of the temple of His body." | Christ as the ultimate dwelling place of God's presence. |
| Acts 7:46-47 | "who found favor before God and asked to find a dwelling for the God of Jacob. But Solomon built Him a house." | Stephen's speech confirms Solomon's role in building God's house. |
| 1 Cor 3:16 | "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" | Believers as the new Temple of the Holy Spirit. |
1 Kings 8 verses
1 Kings 8 1 Meaning
This pivotal verse marks the dramatic culmination of King Solomon's monumental Temple construction, setting the stage for its grand dedication. It describes the precise moment King Solomon convenes the supreme leaders of Israel—elders, tribal heads, and patriarchal chiefs—in Jerusalem. Their solemn purpose is to orchestrate the procession of the most sacred object in Israel, the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord, from its temporary location in the City of David (also known as Zion) into the newly completed Temple. This act symbolizes the permanent dwelling of God's presence among His people in their designated central sanctuary.
1 Kings 8 1 Context
1 Kings 8:1 initiates the climactic event in the books of Kings following the detailed accounts of the construction of the Temple (1 Kings 6) and Solomon's palace (1 Kings 7). The Temple, commissioned by David and built by Solomon, stands complete. This verse bridges the architectural descriptions with the theological purpose of the structure—to house the Ark of the Covenant, the tangible symbol of God's presence and His covenant with Israel. The context highlights a moment of national unity, spiritual anticipation, and the establishment of Jerusalem as the unequivocal religious and political center, solidifying Solomon's reign and fulfilling generations of divine promises regarding a chosen dwelling place for God among His people. It is a moment of unprecedented grandeur in Israel's history.
1 Kings 8 1 Word analysis
- Then King Solomon: Highlights the monarchical authority and fulfillment of David's divine commission by his son, Solomon. This establishes his leadership in religious and national affairs. Solomon (שְׁלֹמֹה, Shelomo) means "peace" or "His replacement" (of David).
- assembled (קָהַל, qāhal): This verb implies a formal, intentional gathering, often with religious significance or for an official assembly (a "qahal," congregation). It indicates a planned, sacred event, not a casual meeting, signifying the immense importance of the occasion.
- the elders of Israel (זְקֵנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, ziqēney Yisraʾel): Refers to the established, experienced leaders representing the people at large. These were prominent figures in local communities, holding authority and wisdom. Their presence signifies national endorsement and participation.
- all the heads of the tribes (כָּל־רָאשֵׁי הַמַּטּוֹת, kol raʾshey hammattot): Denotes the leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel, ensuring tribal representation and unity in this national sacred act. This emphasizes the inclusivity of the gathering across the diverse tribal confederacy.
- the chief fathers of the children of Israel (נְשִׂיאֵי הָאָבוֹת לִבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, neŝiʾey haʾāvôt livney Yisraʾel): A broader category of prominent family heads or patriarchal leaders, reinforcing the complete representation of the entire Israelite community. This hierarchy underscores the gravitas and consensus behind the event.
- to King Solomon in Jerusalem: The leaders are gathered to Solomon, emphasizing his central role and authority in initiating and presiding over this national religious act. Jerusalem is explicitly named as the focal point, establishing its status as the divinely chosen capital.
- that they might bring up (לְהַעֲלוֹת, lehaʿalot): From the root עָלָה (ʿalah), meaning "to go up" or "to ascend." This verb is often used for cultic pilgrimage or offering sacrifices to God, suggesting a solemn, respectful, and deliberate procession uphill towards the Temple.
- the ark of the covenant of the Lord (אֲרוֹן בְּרִית יְהוָה, ʾaron berit YHWH): The most sacred object, symbolizing God's active presence, His covenant fidelity, and His sovereign rule over Israel. It contained the Ten Commandments, embodying the Law and the foundational agreement between God and His people. It is called "of the Lord" (YHWH), highlighting its divine ownership and significance.
- from the City of David (מֵעִיר דָּוִד, meʿir David): Refers to the Jebusite fortress captured by David (2 Sam 5:6-9) and renamed. It was where David had temporarily housed the Ark (2 Sam 6:12) and indicates the Ark's journey from a provisional tabernacle to a permanent dwelling.
- which is Zion (הִיא צִיּוֹן, hi Tzion): Identifies the City of David specifically as Zion, linking the Ark's ascent to the prophetic and theological significance of Mount Zion as God's chosen dwelling place (Ps 132:13-14) and the spiritual capital. This solidifies Jerusalem's religious authority.
1 Kings 8 1 Bonus section
This verse carries a subtle polemical undertone against pagan deities, which were often localized to specific, limited areas and represented by carved images. By contrast, the God of Israel, YHWH, has His Name dwell in the Temple (1 Kgs 8:29), and His presence is powerfully symbolized by the unseen glory above the Ark, which now comes to rest in a sanctuary built not for a material image but for His divine presence among His chosen people, gathering all Israel in unity around Him. The specific listing of all segments of leadership underscores the profound national unity achieved under Solomon for this event, a unity deeply rooted in their shared faith in Yahweh. This collective action mirrors the national convenants and dedications of earlier times in Israel's history (e.g., Joshua 24). The move also implies a completion and shift: while the Tabernacle had served faithfully for centuries, the Temple signals a new era of permanence and stability for the national worship of Israel, fulfilling the promise made to David regarding his offspring building God's house (2 Sam 7).
1 Kings 8 1 Commentary
1 Kings 8:1 portrays a meticulously orchestrated national event, symbolizing the consummation of generations of God's covenant promises and King David's legacy. With the Temple's completion, Solomon gathers a fully representative assembly of Israel's leadership, signifying a unified nation presenting itself before God. The core purpose—to "bring up" the Ark of the Covenant—is fraught with theological weight. This solemn procession of God's throne symbol from the provisional tent in the City of David to the magnificent, permanent Temple on Mount Moriah underscores the transition from a portable dwelling (Tabernacle) to a fixed house for God's Name. It firmly establishes Jerusalem as the religious heart of Israel and highlights the centrality of God's presence among His people through the Covenant embodied in the Ark. This event, under Solomon's reign, solidifies the divine-human partnership in building God's dwelling, paving the way for the glory of the Lord to fill His house, as described in the subsequent verses.