Verse-by-Verse Commentary
The Book of 2 Chronicles
Chapter 5: The Glory of the LORD Filled the House
The temple is finished, and the ark of the covenant is carried into the most holy place beneath the wings of the cherubim. Then, as the singers and trumpeters join as one to praise the LORD, 'for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever,' the cloud of God's glory fills the house so that the priests cannot even stand to minister. When God's people worship Him with one heart, the presence of God comes down.
About This Commentary
This is a verse-by-verse study of 2 Chronicles chapter 5. For each section you will find the KJV text, the Hebrew words that sharpen the meaning, plain explanation, and a Gospel Focus. Every Scripture quotation is from the King James Version.
Into the Most Holy Place (2 Chronicles 5:7-8)
The ark of the covenant is brought to its resting place beneath the wings of the cherubim.
Under the Wings of the Cherubims
"And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD unto his place, to the oracle of the house, into the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubims: For the cherubims spread forth their wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubims covered the ark and the staves thereof above."
Word Study
"oracle," Hebrew debir (דְּבִיר), the innermost sanctuary, the most holy place. The ark of the covenant, which had journeyed from the wilderness through the days of the judges, been captured and returned, and finally been brought up to Jerusalem by David with such care, at last comes to rest "unto his place, to the oracle (debir) of the house, into the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubims." The ark represented the throne and presence of God among His people; now it is settled in the innermost room of the finished temple, its long journey over. The great cherubim Solomon had made "spread forth their wings over the place of the ark," overshadowing it, a picture of the angelic hosts that surround the presence of God. The ark, which held the tables of the covenant, being placed beneath the outspread wings shows God's covenant and His presence enthroned at the very heart of Israel's life. The rest that God had given His people (chapter 22 of 1 Chronicles) is now mirrored in the rest of the ark: the symbol of God's presence has come home to dwell in the midst of His people.
Explanation
The priests carried the ark of the covenant into the temple and placed it in its appointed spot, the innermost room called the most holy place, beneath the wings of the two great cherubim Solomon had made. The cherubim's wings spread out over the ark, covering it and the poles used to carry it. The ark, the symbol of God's presence and throne among His people, which had traveled with Israel for generations, finally came to rest at the center of the finished temple, overshadowed by the cherubim, at the heart of the nation's worship.
Gospel Focus
The ark, at last brought to rest under the wings of the cherubim, speaks of the presence of God dwelling in the midst of His people. The ark's lid was the "mercy seat," where blood was sprinkled on the Day of Atonement, and Scripture tells us Christ is our mercy seat, "whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation" (Romans 3:25), the meeting place between God and man. The cherubim overshadowing the ark recall the cherubim that guarded the way to Eden's tree of life (Genesis 3:24); the presence of a holy God is fenced with reverence. Yet the whole movement of the gospel is God bringing His presence to dwell with His people, and finally within them: the ark in the temple was a shadow of "God with us" in Christ, and now "know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16). The presence once shut away in the innermost room, approachable only by the high priest once a year, is now, through Christ, poured out upon all who believe. The ark come home to its resting place foreshadows the day when "the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them" (Revelation 21:3), the goal of all redemption, God dwelling with His people forever.
The Glory Fills the House (2 Chronicles 5:13-14)
As the singers praise God with one voice, the cloud of His glory fills the temple.
For He Is Good; For His Mercy Endureth For Ever
"It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD; So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God."
Word Study
"glory," Hebrew kavod (כָּבוֹד), weight, honor, the visible manifestation of God's presence. The climax of the whole temple project is not the architecture but the moment God's presence comes down. And note precisely when it happens: "as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD." The Hebrew stresses unity, they were "as one," making "one sound." When the worshippers were of one heart and one voice, praising with the same refrain that runs through Scripture, "For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever", then "the house was filled with a cloud... for the glory (kavod) of the LORD had filled the house of God." The kavod is the weighty, radiant presence of God, the same glory-cloud that had led Israel from Egypt and filled the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34-35). It was so overwhelming that "the priests could not stand to minister." Human service simply stopped in the presence of God's glory. The lesson is unmistakable: united, wholehearted praise of the good and merciful God is the setting in which His manifest presence comes. Where God's people worship Him as one, exalting His goodness and everlasting mercy, God draws near in glory.
Explanation
The high point came during the worship. The trumpeters and singers joined together in perfect unity, making one sound as they praised and thanked the LORD with the familiar words, "For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever." At that moment the temple was filled with a cloud, the visible glory of God, so overwhelming that the priests could not continue their duties. The presence of God had filled His house. The Chronicler makes clear that this manifestation of God's glory came as the people worshipped Him with one heart and voice, exalting His goodness and unfailing mercy.
Gospel Focus
Two things stand out as the glory fills the house, and both speak to us. First, unity: the presence of God came "as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound." God delights to manifest His presence among a people who worship Him with one heart. So on the day of Pentecost the disciples "were all with one accord in one place" (Acts 2:1) when the Spirit came, and Jesus prayed "that they all may be one" (John 17:21). Division grieves the Spirit; unity invites His presence. Second, the content of their praise: "For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever." They magnified God's goodness and everlasting covenant love, and God came down. When we exalt the goodness and unfailing mercy of God, supremely shown in the cross, we are on holy ground. And notice that when the glory came, "the priests could not stand to minister"; before the overwhelming presence of God, human effort and performance cease, and we are left simply in awe of Him. The goal of all worship is not our activity but His presence. Under the new covenant, the glory that filled the temple has come to dwell in Christ, "we beheld his glory" (John 1:14), and in His people by the Spirit. Seek His presence in united, wholehearted praise of His goodness and mercy, and know that the God who filled the temple still fills the hearts that worship Him as one.
Chapter in Review
Second Chronicles 5 brings the temple to its glorious purpose. The ark of the covenant is carried into the most holy place beneath the outspread wings of the cherubim, the symbol of God's presence coming home to rest at the heart of His people. Then, as the trumpeters and singers join "as one, to make one sound" in praising the LORD, "For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever," the cloud of God's glory fills the house so overwhelmingly that the priests cannot stand to minister. The chapter teaches that the goal of worship is the manifest presence of God, that His glory comes among a people united in wholehearted praise of His goodness and everlasting mercy, and that before His glory all human effort must bow. It points to Christ, in whom the glory dwells bodily, and to the Spirit who fills the hearts of a united people, foreshadowing the day when God will dwell with His people forever.
Key Takeaways
- The goal of the temple was God's presence. Not the building but the glory that filled it was the point; so with our worship.
- God's presence comes to a united people. The glory fell as the worshippers were "as one"; unity invites the Spirit.
- Exalt God's goodness and mercy. "For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever" was on their lips when glory came.
- Before His glory, human effort ceases. The priests could not stand; worship's aim is His presence, not our performance.
- The glory dwells in Christ and His people. What filled the temple now dwells in Jesus and, by the Spirit, in us.
Questions for Reflection
- Is the presence of God the true goal of your worship, or only its outward forms?
- Are you contributing to unity among God's people, the setting in which His presence comes?
- Does your praise exalt the goodness and everlasting mercy of God?
- Are you willing to let your own activity cease in awe before the presence of God?
- Do you know the indwelling glory of God in Christ by His Spirit?
References
- Scripture: 2 Chronicles 5:1-14, King James Version (commentary focuses on verses 7-8 and 13-14).
- Cross-references: Genesis 3:24; Exodus 40:34-35; John 1:14; 17:21; Acts 2:1; Romans 3:25; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Revelation 21:3.
- Hebrew word meanings: standard lexical sources (Strong's, BDB) for debir and kavod; background on the ark, the cherubim, and the glory-cloud filling the temple.