John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 5. And King Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel, that were assembled together , etc.] On this solemn occasion: were with him before the ark ; while it was in the court of the priests, before it was carried into the most holy place: sacrificing sheep and oxen, that could not be told nor numbered for multitude ; the phrase seems to be hyperbolical, and designed to denote a great number.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-11 - The bringing in the ark, is the end which must crown the work: this wa done with great solemnity. The ark was fixed in the place appointed for its rest in the inner part of the house, whence they expected God to speak to them, even in the most holy place. The staves of the ark wer drawn out, so as to direct the high priest to the mercy-seat over the ark, when he went in, once a year, to sprinkle the blood there; so tha they continued of use, though there was no longer occasion to carry it by them. The glory of God appearing in a cloud may signify, 1. The darkness of that dispensation, in comparison with the light of the gospel, by which, with open face, we behold, as in a glass, the glor of the Lord. 2. The darkness of our present state, in comparison with the sight of God, which will be the happiness of heaven, where the Divine glory is unveiled.
Original Hebrew והמלך4428 שׁלמה8010 וכל3605 עדת5712 ישׂראל3478 הנועדים3259 עליו5921 אתו854 לפני6440 הארון727 מזבחים2076 צאן6629 ובקר1241 אשׁר834 לא3808 יספרו5608 ולא3808 ימנו4487 מרב׃7230
