V.1-10 We remember that the ark had been brought by David and put in a tent in Zion which was part of Jerusalem. Now the ark is brought into the finished temple and put in the holiest of all, under the wings of the cherubim. Of all the things which were in the temple, the ark is the most important, for it represents the presence of Christ as God. He was hidden behind the veil (curtain). In Exodus 19:16-19, we read of the frightening circumstances when God came down on to Mount Sinai. The reason why this same thing didn’t happen when God came down and sat on the ark in darkness was because of the veil. If God had gone out, everyone would have died, and no one could go past the veil into His presence (except the High Priest, once a year). But when Christ died on the cross, 1,500 years later, the veil was torn in two so that God could come out to meet us, and we can go boldly in to meet Him (Read carefully Heb. 10:19-22). This is your privilege. Are you going in? All you need is a good conscience to be in the presence of God.
V.9 The staves had been in the sides of the ark to carry it, now in its final resting place they wouldn’t be used again.
V.11-14 The final act — the dedication of the finished temple to the Lord. Notice the total harmony (v. 13). If they were one in heart they would make one sound in worship — so will we.
V.13-14 God is well pleased with this completed work, and shows it by filling the house with a cloud that is God’s glory — the same cloud (glory) that had filled the tabernacle in the wilderness (Ex. 40:34-35).