There was nothing in the ark, &c. Strictly and properly speaking. But in a looser sense, the pot of manna, and Aaron's rod were also in or by it, (Hebrews 9:4,) being placed by Moses, as God commanded, (Numbers 17:10,) before the ark of the testimony, in the most holy place.
Related Commentaries of 1 Kings 8:9
1 Kings 8:9
9 There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came outc of the land of Egypt.