1 Kings 8:11

11 and because of the cloud, the priests were not able to continue ministering, for the glory of the Lord filled the temple.^[a]

1 Kings 8:11 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 8:11

So that the priests could not stand to minister, because
of the cloud
Either through the darkness it first caused, or through the light that broke out of it, which was dazzling to them, or through the terror it struck their minds with; they could neither minister in the holy place, by offering incense there; and as for the most holy place, none but the high priest could minister there, and that on one day only; nor in the court of the priests, at the altar of burnt offerings:

for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of the Lord;
a bright and glorious stream came forth from the cloud, and spread itself all over the house, and then took up its abode in the most holy place as in the tabernacle, ( Exodus 40:34 ) ( Ezekiel 43:2 Ezekiel 43:4 Ezekiel 43:5 ) .

1 Kings 8:11 In-Context

9 Nothing was in the ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had put there at Horeb,where the Lord made a covenant with the Israelites when they came out of the land of Egypt.

10 When the priests came out of the holy place, the cloud filled the Lord's temple,

11 and because of the cloud, the priests were not able to continue ministering, for the glory of the Lord filled the temple.

12 Then Solomon said: The Lord said that He would dwell in thick darkness,

13 but I have indeed built an exalted temple for You, a place for Your dwelling forever.

Footnotes

• [a]. 2 Ch 5:2-14