lectionary.com

Epiphany · The First Sunday after the Epiphany

1 Kings 8:6-13

The Ark Brought to the Temple

January 11, 2026

The Building of the Temple, Jean Fouquet
The Building of the Temple, Jean Fouquet, c. 1470Bibliothèque nationale de France, Paris
A French manuscript miniature that paints Solomon's temple as a fifteenth-century cathedral building site, with cranes, scaffolding and masons at work.In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord: Ephesians uses the building image, and this is a real building going up.Jean FouquetThe leading French painter of the fifteenth century, who went to Italy, learned perspective, and brought it back into manuscript illumination.Bibliothèque nationale de France, ParisThe French national library, descended from the royal collection, holding manuscripts from the whole history of the French book.Bibliothèque nationale de France, Paris
Historic One-Year Lectionary
GospelLuke 2:41-52Lk 2:41-52
EpistleRom. 12:1-5Rom 12:1-5
Old Testament1 Kings 8:6-131 Kgs 8:6-13
PsalterPs. 50:1-15Ps 50:1-15

Overview & Insights

“And a cloud filled the house of the Lord... for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.” (1 Kings 8:10-11)

The ark of God, the great symbol of the LORD’s presence with the people and the receptacle for the tablets of the law (Exod. 25:10–22; Deut. 10:1–5; Josh. 3–6), had hitherto remained in a tent sanctuary somewhere in the old city of David (2 Sam. 6:16–17; 7:2; 1 Kgs. 3:15)—except for the brief trip described in 2 Samuel 15:24–29. First Kings 8:1–21 recounts the circumstances of its relocation and Solomon’s speech about the significance of the event.

From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.

Take it further: 1 Kings 8:6-13

Commentary

1 Kings 8:(1-6, 10-11), 22-30, 41-43 Commentary1 Kgs 8:(1-6, 10-11), 22-30, 41-43 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

Reformed commentary on the ark entering the temple and the glory-cloud filling the house of the Lord.

Enduring Word Bible Commentary 1 Kings Chapter 8Enduring Word Bible Commentary 1 Kgs Chapter 8 Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik works through the dedication of Solomon's temple and the descent of the cloud of glory.

1 Kings 8:6 Commentaries1 Kgs 8:6 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic commentators gathered on the bringing of the ark into the inner sanctuary.

1 Kings 8 Commentary (Precept Austin)1 Kgs 8 Commentary (Precept Austin) Precept Austin

A resource hub collecting multiple commentaries, sermons, and word studies on the temple dedication chapter.

Background & Word Study

I Kings 8 | Sefaria Sefaria

Hebrew text with English translation and Jewish commentary for the dedication of the temple.

1 Kings 8:6 Interlinear1 Kgs 8:6 Interlinear BibleHub

Hebrew word-by-word interlinear with parsing for the ark being placed in the most holy place.

Books of 1-2 Kings Overview (BibleProject)Books of 1-2 Kgs Overview (BibleProject) BibleProject

Animated overview tracing the storyline of the monarchy and the temple across 1 and 2 Kings.

The Church Fathers

1 Kings 8 - Catena Bible & Commentaries1 Kgs 8 - Catena Bible & Commentaries Catena

Patristic comment on the temple dedication and the glory of the Lord filling the house.

Questions preachers ask

What happens when the ark enters the temple?

As the priests bring the ark into Solomon's newly built temple, the glory-cloud fills the house, the sign that God has come to dwell in the midst of his people.

Prep at sermons.com

Ready to write?

  • Full sermons on Luke 2:41-52
  • Illustrations cleared for use in worship
  • Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Open it at sermons.com →

Trusted by pastors since 1995.

Free every Tuesday

Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox

The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.