Solomon had completed the temple his father David had desired to build. Now Solomon prepares the temple for use. The most important act of preparation is to bring the ark into the temple. This is a cause for much sacrifice and praise.

What Does It Say?

1. Thus all the work that Solomon made for the house of the LORD was _____________.
2. Solomon brought the Ark of the Covenant out of the city of __________, which is __________.
3. Israel assembled for the bringing up of the ark in the feast which was in the _________ month.
4. In celebration of the bringing up of the ark, Solomon sacrificed sheep and _________, which could not be told nor numbered for __________.
5. Among those praising God were a hundred and twenty __________ sounding with ____________.

What Does It Mean?

1. In 2 Chronicles 5:7And 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:
   See All..., the inner room of the temple, which is sometimes called the Holy of Holies, is given several names. It is called “his place,” “the oracle of the house,” and “the most holy place.” Please take each of these names and explain what you see as its meaning and significance. Look the word oracle up in an English dictionary. Also look up 1 Kings 6:16-23 [16] And he built twenty cubits on the sides of the house, both the floor and the walls with boards of cedar: he even built them for it within, even for the oracle, even for the most holy place. [17] And the house, that is, the temple before it, was forty cubits long. [18] And the cedar of the house within was carved with knops and open flowers: all was cedar; there was no stone seen. [19] And the oracle he prepared in the house within, to set there the ark of the covenant of the LORD. [20] And the oracle in the forepart was twenty cubits in length, and twenty cubits in breadth, and twenty cubits in the height thereof: and he overlaid it with pure gold; and so covered the altar which was of cedar. [21] So Solomon overlaid the house within with pure gold: and he made a partition by the chains of gold before the oracle; and he overlaid it with gold. [22] And the whole house he overlaid with gold, until he had finished all the house: also the whole altar that was by the oracle he overlaid with gold. [23] And within the oracle he made two cherubims of olive tree, each ten cubits high.
   See All...; Psalm 28:2Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.
   See All...; Romans 3:1-2 [1] What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? [2] Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
   See All...; 1 Peter 4:11If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
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2.  2 Chronicles 5:9And 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.
   See All... states, “And 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.” Bible teachers disagree on what exactly this means. The ark had four rings of gold at its four corners. The priests had two boards of wood (the staves) which they would place in the rings in order to carry the ark when they moved it (see Exodus 25:12-16 [12] And thou shalt cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in the four corners thereof; and two rings shall be in the one side of it, and two rings in the other side of it. [13] And thou shalt make staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold. [14] And thou shalt put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, that the ark may be borne with them. [15] The staves shall be in the rings of the ark: they shall not be taken from it. [16] And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee.
   See All...). In this context, explain how you understand 2 Chronicles 5:9And 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.
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3.  2 Chronicles 5:10There 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.
   See All... states that there “was nothing in the ark save the two tables which Moses put therein at Horeb.” Compare this with the statement in Hebrews 9:4Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;
   See All.... How do you explain both of these statements?

What Does It Mean to Me?

1. In 2 Chronicles 5:13It 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;
   See All..., we read this word of praise to the Lord: “For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.” This is a common formula for praising the Lord in Old Testament passages. See 1 Chronicles 16:34O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
   See All...; Ezra 3:11And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.
   See All...; Psalm 106:1Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
   See All...; Psalm 107:1O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
   See All...; Psalm 118:1O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.
   See All..., 29; Psalm 136:1O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
   See All...; Jeremiah 33:11The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD.
   See All.... Explain the full meaning of this phrase as you see it. Why is this phrase a good way to praise God? How can you apply this to your life?
2. When the priests brought the ark into the temple and the Levites and priests praised the Lord, “then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD; So 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” (2 Chronicles 5:13-14 [13] It 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; [14] So 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.
   See All...). Compare this with Exodus 40:34-35 [34] Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. [35] And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
   See All... and 1 Kings 8:10-12 [10] And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD, [11] So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD. [12] Then spake Solomon, The LORD said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.
   See All.... What is the significance of the cloud? What is represented by the cloud filling the house of the Lord? What does this incident teach us about God?

Suggested Memory Verses

2 Chronicles 5:13It 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;
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