Synopsis of the Chapter
Solomon brings the sacred vessels with the offerings into the temple, and the Ark of the Covenant into the Holy of Holies; God through a cloud displays His glory therein.
Verse 9: The Carrying Poles ¶
9. But the carrying poles, etc. The meaning is, that is to say: The poles by which the Ark was carried were longer, not than the oracle, but than the Ark itself; therefore they appeared to the priests who stood in the Holy Place, at the doors of the Oracle, or the Holy of Holies; but if anyone had stood further outside — that is, at a greater distance from the doors of the Oracle — he could not see them.
Verse 10: Nothing in the Ark but Two Tablets ¶
10. AND THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE ARK BUT THE TWO TABLETS. — How the urn with the manna and the Deuteronomy are said to have been in the Ark, I have explained in Hebrews chapter IX, verse 4.
Verse 11: The Courses Not Yet Divided ¶
11. NOR AS YET AT THAT TIME HAD THE COURSES AND ORDER AMONG THE PRIESTS BEEN DIVIDED. — In Hebrew, it was not observed, as it was exactly observed after the dedication of the temple. For on this occasion, because of the very many victims to be sacrificed, the priests and Levites whose turns of ministering fell that week were not sufficient; but all who had been summoned flowed together from all Israel, as many as were able to come.