2 Chr 5:1-10

With the heavy lifting behind them, the temple and all of it's interior done to the standards and specifications that were ordained. The attention now turns to restoring the ark to the rightful place at the temple - in the inner room of the temple "holy of holiest". Care was taken as to how this was to be transported given earlier times and the contents only included the 10 Commandments on 2 stone tablets. Only the designated Levites were allowed to transport the ark with the huge poles to the place of prominence at the temple under the cherubim. Gone were the gold pot of manna and Aaron's rod. From the commentary:

Solomon had completed the temple. He finished the work in the 8th month of his 11th year as king. That was in September or October 960 BC. The dedication of the temple was in the autumn of the next year. That was in the 7th month of the year 959 BC. At that time, there was a special week when the Jews lived in shelters. They did this to remember the time when God led them through the desert. Solomon dedicated the temple to God on the 8th day during this special time.

Interesting how it now develops and the next few chapters will be about the dedication of the temple. Clearly a great time to be a fly on the wall and see the spledor and the sentiment of the time. Spent the evening listening to SK and also doing my SS lesson for the HS. Good stuff and got me going again.  Prayers for the family as they head down to FL for the week.

Praise for today: Exalt the Lord of God and worship at his holy mountain, for the Lord our God is holy. Ps 99:9