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:

And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, (for all the priests that were present had sanctified themselves, and did not keep their courses;

Now when the priests were come out of the sanctuary, (for all the priests that could be found there, mere sanctified: and as yet at that time the courses and orders of the ministries were not divided among them,)

And it came to pass when the priests were come out of the holy place (for all the priests that were present were hallowed without observing the courses;

And it cometh to pass, in the going out of the priests from the sanctuary, for all the priests who are present have sanctified themselves, there is none to watch by courses,

Now when the priests had come out of the holy place, (for all the priests who were present had made themselves holy, not keeping to their divisions;

It happened, when the priests had come out of the holy place, (for all the priests who were present had sanctified themselves, regardless of the divisions;

And having gone out from the Sanctuary, the priests (for all the priests who were able to be found there were sanctified, and in that time the turns and orders of the ministries had not yet been divided among them)

When the priests were come out - After having carried the ark into the holy of holies, before the sacred service had commenced.

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.

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.

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.

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 Chron 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.

By course - According to David's appointment, 1Ch. 24:1-31, 25:1-22, which was only for the ordinary service, but in extraordinary solemnities, such as this, they all came together.