2 Chronicles 5

King James Version

Full text for 2 Chronicles Chapter 5

1¶ Thus all the work that Solomon made for the house of the LORD was finished: and Solomon brought in [all] the things that David his father had dedicated; and the silver, and the gold, and all the instruments, put he among the treasures of the house of God.

2Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which [is] Zion.

3Wherefore all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto the king in the feast which [was] in the seventh month.

4And all the elders of Israel came; and the Levites took up the ark.

5And they brought up the ark, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and all the holy vessels that [were] in the tabernacle, these did the priests [and] the Levites bring up.

6Also king Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel that were assembled unto him before the ark, sacrificed sheep and oxen, which could not be told nor numbered for multitude.

7And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD unto his place, to the oracle of the house, into the most holy [place, even] under the wings of the cherubims:

8For the cherubims spread forth [their] wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubims covered the ark and the staves thereof above.

9And they drew out the staves [of the ark], that the ends of the staves were seen from the ark before the oracle; but they were not seen without. And there it is unto this day.

10[There was] nothing in the ark save the two tables which Moses put [therein] at Horeb, when the LORD made [a covenant] with the children of Israel, when they came out of Egypt.

11¶ And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy [place]: (for all the priests [that were] present were sanctified, [and] did not [then] wait by course:

12Also the Levites [which were] the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, [being] arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:)

13It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers [were] as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up [their] voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, [saying], For [he is] good; for his mercy [endureth] for ever: that [then] the house was filled with a cloud, [even] the house of the LORD;

14So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Solomon completed the Temple and brought in dedicated treasures. He then assembled all Israel to bring the Ark of the Covenant into the newly finished house of the LORD. As the priests and Levites, accompanied by musicians, praised God with trumpets and song, the Temple was filled with a cloud, signifying the overwhelming glory of the LORD, preventing the priests from ministering.

Medium Summary

Upon the completion of the Temple, Solomon gathered the elders, tribal heads, and all Israel in Jerusalem to bring the Ark of the Covenant from the City of David into its designated place. The Levites carried the Ark, along with the Tabernacle and its holy vessels, while King Solomon and the congregation offered innumerable sacrifices. The priests placed the Ark in the Most Holy Place, beneath the cherubim's wings, where it contained only the two tables of the covenant. As sanctified priests and Levite musicians, including 120 trumpeters, united in praise, proclaiming God's goodness and enduring mercy, the Temple was filled with a cloud. This cloud, the glory of the LORD, was so profound that the priests could not stand to minister.

Long Summary

After Solomon finished all the work for the house of the LORD, he brought in the dedicated treasures of silver, gold, and instruments from his father David. Subsequently, Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, heads of tribes, and chief fathers in Jerusalem to transfer the Ark of the Covenant from the City of David, which is Zion, to the newly completed Temple. This significant event occurred during a feast in the seventh month. The Levites carried the Ark, and the priests and Levites together brought up the Tabernacle of the congregation and all its holy vessels. King Solomon and the entire assembly offered an immense multitude of sheep and oxen as sacrifices before the Ark. The priests then brought the Ark of the Covenant into its place within the Temple's oracle, the Most Holy Place, positioning it under the wings of the cherubim, which covered both the Ark and its staves. The staves were drawn out so their ends were visible from the oracle but not from outside. The Ark contained only the two tables of the covenant placed there by Moses at Horeb. When the sanctified priests emerged from the holy place, Levite singers from Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, arrayed in white linen with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, joined by 120 trumpeting priests. As the trumpeters and singers unified their sound in praising and thanking the LORD, proclaiming, "For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever," the entire house of the LORD was filled with a cloud. This manifestation of the glory of the LORD was so overwhelming that the priests were unable to stand and continue their ministry.

Core Concepts

  • Temple CompletionThe finalization of Solomon's extensive construction work on the house of the LORD, including the integration of dedicated treasures from David.
  • Ark of the CovenantThe central sacred object, representing God's presence and covenant with Israel, which was solemnly transferred into the Most Holy Place of the new Temple.
  • Glory of the LORDA visible manifestation of God's presence, appearing as a cloud that filled the Temple, signifying divine approval and the overwhelming majesty of God.
  • Levitical MinistryThe active participation of the Levites in carrying the Ark and holy vessels, and specifically the Levite singers and priests in leading unified musical praise and trumpeting.
  • Sacrificial OfferingsThe immense number of sheep and oxen sacrificed by King Solomon and the congregation, demonstrating devotion and purification during the Ark's transfer.
  • Most Holy PlaceThe innermost sanctuary of the Temple, where the Ark of the Covenant was permanently placed under the wings of the cherubim, serving as the dwelling place of God's presence.