Bible Strands
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.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The chronicler records Solomon’s actions in Jerusalem immediately after finishing the temple and securing David’s dedicated furnishings. He addresses the assembled tribal heads and family leaders to relocate the ark from Zion, the City of David.
The words — The Hebrew verb יַקְהֵיל (yak.hēl) means “he called together,” describing Solomon’s formal gathering of Israel’s elders and tribal heads. The noun זִקְנֵי (ziknē) translates literally to “elders,” specifying the authoritative leaders summoned for this task.
The thread — This gathering of leaders to move the ark echoes David’s earlier preparations in 2 Chronicles 1:4 and parallels the communal movements recorded in Numbers 10:33. The relocation also follows the pattern of covenant ark transport seen in 2 Samuel 6:12.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to recognize that Solomon’s temple dedication depends on the formal assembly of Israel’s leadership and the physical restoration of the ark to its designated place. It demands attention to the procedural order of worship rather than emotional response.
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 Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the city of David, which is Zion.
Cross-references
- 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.
- 2 Chronicles 1:4 Now David had brought the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim to the place he had prepared for it, because he had pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem.
- Numbers 10:33 So they set out on a three-day journey from the mountain of the LORD, with the ark of the covenant of the LORD traveling ahead of them for those three days to seek a resting place for them.
- Numbers 10:36 And when it came to rest, he would say: “Return, O LORD, to the countless thousands of Israel.”
- 2 Samuel 5:7 Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the City of David).
- 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.
- 1 Chronicles 15:12 And he said to them, “You are the heads of the Levitical families. You and your relatives must consecrate yourselves so that you may bring the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel, to the place I have prepared for it.
- 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.
- 1 Chronicles 16:1 So they brought the ark of God and placed it inside the tent that David had pitched for it. And they presented burnt offerings and peace offerings before God.
- 1 Chronicles 24:6 The scribe, Shemaiah son of Nethanel, a Levite, recorded their names in the presence of the king and of the officers: Zadok the priest, Ahimelech son of Abiathar, and the heads of families of the priests and the Levites—one family being taken from Eleazar, and then one from Ithamar.