1 Kings 8:3 - Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

The priests took up the ark. — To bear the ark on its journeys was properly the duty of the Levites of the family of Kohath (Numbers 3:31; Numbers 4:5); but to bring it out of the Holy of Holies (or, as here, from whatever corresponded thereto in the tent erected for the ark on Mount Zion), and to replace it therein, was the work of the priests alone. Hence in this passage, with literal accuracy, it is said, first, that “the priests took up the ark;” then (1 Kings 8:4) that the priests and Levites brought up the ark and the holy things; and, lastly (1 Kings 8:6), that “the priests brought in the ark into the oracle.” Josephus, indeed, declares that, as was natural on this occasion of special solemnity — just as at the passage of the Jordan, and the circuit round the walls of Jericho (Joshua 3:6-17; Joshua 6:6) — the priests themselves bore the ark, while the Levites bore only the vessels and furniture of the Tabernacle.