Bible Strands
1 Kings 8:1
At that time Solomon assembled before him in Jerusalem the elders of Israel—all the tribal heads and family leaders of the Israelites—to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from Zion, the City of David.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records Solomon gathering the elders, tribal heads, and family leaders of Israel in Jerusalem. This assembly takes place immediately prior to the seventh-month feast at the City of David.
The words — The Hebrew יַקְהֵל (yak.hel) translates literally as "he called together," and אָ֣ז ('az) means "then." These terms function as a temporal marker and a verb of deliberate mobilization.
The thread — The same leadership assembly appears in 2 Chronicles 5:2, which mirrors this gathering of Israel's heads. The ark's relocation also aligns with the earlier movements recorded in 1 Chronicles 15:25 and 2 Samuel 6:12.
Why it lands — The text states that Solomon formally convened national leaders to transport the covenant ark from Zion. Readers must note the organized, multi-generational scope of the operation and the explicit shift of the ark's location from David's city to Jerusalem.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto king Solomon in Jerusalem, that they might bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the city of David, which is Zion.
Cross-references
- 2 Chronicles 5:2 At that time Solomon assembled in Jerusalem the elders of Israel—all the tribal heads and family leaders of the Israelites—to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD from Zion, the City of David.
- 1 Chronicles 15:25 So David, the elders of Israel, and the commanders of thousands went with rejoicing to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD from the house of Obed-edom.
- 2 Samuel 6:12 Now it was reported to King David, “The LORD has blessed the house of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.” So David went and had the ark of God brought up from the house of Obed-edom into the City of David with rejoicing.
- Numbers 7:2 And the leaders of Israel, the heads of their families, presented an offering. These men were the tribal leaders who had supervised the registration.
- Joshua 23:2 he summoned all Israel, including its elders, leaders, judges, and officers. “I am old and well along in years,” he said,
- Joshua 24:1 Then Joshua assembled all the tribes of Israel at Shechem. He summoned the elders, leaders, judges, and officers of Israel, and they presented themselves before God.
- 2 Samuel 5:7 Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the City of David).
- 2 Samuel 6:1 David again assembled the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand in all.
- 2 Samuel 6:6 When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen had stumbled.
- 1 Kings 3:15 Then Solomon awoke, and indeed it had been a dream. So he returned to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. Then he held a feast for all his servants.