2 Chronicles 5:11

And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place: (for all the priests that were present were sanctified, and did not then wait by course:

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(11) For all the priests.—From this point to “for his mercy endureth for ever,” 2Chronicles 5:13, the narrative is peculiar to the chronicler. He has characteristically inserted between the two halves of the short verse (1Kings 8:10) a long parenthesis, dwelling upon the Levitical ministrations.

That were present.—That could be found. So Vulg. (Comp. 2Kings 19:4.)

Were sanctified.—Had sanctified (or purified) themselves, for the purpose of taking part in the ceremony (1Chronicles 15:12).

And did not then wait by course.—They had not to observe courses (1 Chronicles 24). Not merely the class of priests then on duty, but all the classes indiscriminately took part in the solemnity.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

5:11-14 God took possession of the temple; he filled it with a cloud. Thus he signified his acceptance of this temple, to be the same to him that the tabernacle of Moses was, and assured his people that he would be the same in it. Would we have God dwell in our hearts, we must leave room for him; every thing else must give way. The Word was made flesh; and when he comes to his temple, like a refiner's fire, who may abide the day of his coming? May he prepare us for that day.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

From the ark - Or, according to a different reading here and according to 1 Kings 8:8, some read, "the ends of the staves were seen from the Holy place."

There it is unto this day - This should be corrected as in the margin.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

11. all the priests that were present … did not then wait by course—The rotation system of weekly service introduced by David was intended for the ordinary duties of the priesthood; on extraordinary occasions, or when more than wonted solemnity attached to them, the priests attended in a body.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

According to David’s appointment, 1 Chronicles 24 1Ch 25, which was only for the ordinary service; but in extraordinary solemnities, such as this eminently was they all came together.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

See Chapter Introduction

Geneva Study Bible

And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place: (for all the priests that were present were {e} sanctified, and did not then wait by course:

(e) Were prepared to serve the Lord.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

11–14 (= 1 Kings 8:10-11). The Descent of the Glory of the Lord

11. out of the holy place] The priests could remain neither in the Holy of Holies where they had deposited the ark, nor even in the holy place, but were driven altogether out of the Temple building into the Temple court (cp. 2 Chronicles 5:14).

and did not then wait by course] R.V. and did not keep their courses. Cp. 1 Chronicles 24:1-19.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 11. - The parallel (1 Kings 8:10) shows the first half of this verse and the last sentence of ver. 13 to make its tenth verse. All between these two is special to the present passage and to Chronicles. All the priests... not by course; i.e. all of all the courses, twenty-four in number, instead of only the one course on daily duty at the time (1 Chronicles 23:6-32; 1 Chronicles 24:1-31). Present; or, found more literally; that is to say, all who were not for one cause or another out of reach (1 Chronicles 29:17; Ezra 8:25). The Hebrew word is the familiar הַגִּמְצְאִים. 2 Chronicles 5:11

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

2 Chronicles 5:11-13 describe the part which the priests and Levitical singers and musicians took in the solemn act of transferring the ark to the temple-a matter entirely passed over in the narrative in 1 Kings 8:11, which confines itself to the main transaction. The mention of the priests gives occasion for the remark, 2 Chronicles 5:11, "for all the priests present had sanctified themselves, but the courses were not to be observed," i.e., the courses of the priests (1 Chronicles 24) could not be observed. The festival was so great, that not merely the course appointed to perform the service of that week, but also all the courses had sanctified themselves and co-operated in the celebration. In reference to the construction לשׁמור אין, cf. Ew. 321, b.