5:1 was finished Solomon completed the temple approximately 960 bc. See 1 Kgs 7:51 and note.

the holy objects of David his father Refers to the spoils of war collected by David (1 Chr 18:7–11).

into the storehouses of the house of God See 1 Chr 26:22–28; note on 26:26.

5:2 Solomon assembled Just as his father, David, did, Solomon gathers the leaders of Israel to move the ark, this time to its permanent residence (compare 1 Chr 13; 15).

the ark of the covenant of A wooden box or chest that contained the tablets of the law and symbolized Yahweh’s presence among the Israelites. See note on Exod 25:10.

5:3 the feast that is in the seventh month Refers to the Feast of Booths (Lev 23:33–44).

Israelite Festivals Table

5:4 and the Levites took up the ark Solomon ensures that the ark is carried in the proper way (see note on 1 Chr 15:2).

5:6 sacrificing sheep and cattle Just as it was with David, the processional of the ark was accompanied by sacrifices of worship (see 1 Chr 15:26).

5:7 the inner sanctuary of See 1 Kgs 6:5 and note.

the most holy place Compare Lev 16.

underneath the wings of the cherubim These cherubim are described in 2 Chr 3:10–13.

5:9 the ends of the poles See 1 Kgs 8:8 and note.

5:10 the two stone tablets Refers to the tablets on which the Ten Commandments were inscribed (Exod 34:1–5; Deut 10:1–5). Later tradition indicates that the ark also contained Aaron’s staff and a jar of manna (compare Heb 9:4).

5:11 sanctified themselves See note on Exod 29:1.

without keeping their divisions The Chronicler emphasizes the priests’ commitment to unity and worship.

5:12 all the Levitical singers See 1 Chr 25:1–31 and note.

Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun These same men led the worship when David moved the ark to Jerusalem (1 Chr 16:37, 42). David later appointed them as the temple musicians (1 Chr 25:1).

5:13 for he is good, because his loyal love is everlasting This refrain is part of the thanksgiving psalm sung when David brought the ark to Jerusalem (1 Chr 16:8–36 and note). The quotation here most likely reflects Psa 106:1, but the phrase is common throughout Psalms (e.g., Pss 107:1; 118:1; 136:1). See note on 2 Chron 1:8.

was filled with a cloud Just as He does in the wilderness, God appears in the temple as a cloud. See Exod 19:9 and note.

Theophany in the Old Testament

5:14 were not able to stand to minister See 1 Kgs 8:11 and note.