BibleWord.ai› Bible› 1 Kings› Chapter 8› Verse 9

1 Kings 8:9

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Kings 8:9 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone which Moses put there at Horeb, when Jehovah made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone which Moses put there at Horeb, when Jehovah made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.
1 Kings 8:9 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Kings 8

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of Jehovah unto its place, into the oracle of the house, to the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubim.
7For the cherubim spread forth their wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubim covered the ark and the staves thereof above.
8And the staves were so long that the ends of the staves were seen from the holy place before the oracle; but they were not seen without: and there they are unto this day.
9There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone which Moses put there at Horeb, when Jehovah made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.
10And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of Jehovah,
11so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud; for the glory of Jehovah filled the house of Jehovah.
12Then spake Solomon, Jehovah hath said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.
← 1 Kings 8:81 Kings 8:10 →
← Full Chapter 8 1 Kings Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“There was nothing in the ark, save the two tables of stone which Moses put there at Horeb, etc.] That is, there were no other writings; or, as Ben Gersom says, no other part of the law, but the decalogue otherwise he observes there were in it Aaron’s rod and the pot of manna, according to (<580904>Hebrews 9:4) though the particle there may be rendered “at”, or “with”, or “by”, (see Gill on “<580904>Hebrews 9:4”) and so they might be not within it, but in some place on the sides of it, (see <053126>Deuteronomy 31:26), when the Lord made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt; about two months after.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone--Nothing else was ever in the ark, the articles mentioned (Heb 9:4) being not in, but by it, being laid in the most holy place before the testimony (Exo 16:33; Num 17:10).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Comparing this statement with Hebrews 9:4, it would seem that Solomon, now that the sacred chest had reached its final resting-place, and stood in a large chamber surrounded by tables 2 Chronicles 4:8, removed the pot of manna and the rod from the interior, and set them elsewhere in the holy of holies. return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Nothing - Strictly and properly: but in a more large sense, the pot of manna, and Aaron's rod were also in it, Heb 9:4, that is, by it, in the most holy place, before the ark of the testimony, where God commanded Moses to put them. 3 Kings (1 Kings) 8:10”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“8:9 The focus on the two stone tablets that Moses placed in the Ark (cp. 8:21; see Exod 25:21; Deut 31:26) suggests that Solomon had in mind both a renewal of the Mosaic covenant and the Temple dedication.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“nothing: Exo 25:21; Deu 10:2; Ch2 5:10 in the ark: Exo 16:33; Num 17:10; Heb 9:4 put there at Horeb: Exo 25:21, Exo 40:20; Deu 10:2, Deu 10:5, Deu 31:26 when: or, where, Kg1 8:21; Exo 24:8, Exo 34:27, Exo 34:28; Deu 4:13, the cloud, Exo 13:21, Exo 14:24, Exo 16:10, Exo 24:16-18, Exo 40:34, Exo 40:35; Lev 16:2; Num 9:15; Ch2 5:13, Ch2 5:14, Ch2 7:1-3; Eze 10:4; Rev 15:8 3 Kings (1 Kings) 8:11”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read 1 Kings 8 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification