Nothing in the ark; strictly and properly: for in a more large sense, as in is oft taken for by or near, as is confessed, and hath been proved before; so the pot of manna and Aaron's rod were also in it, Hebrews 9:4, i.e. by it, to wit, in the most holy place, before the ark of the testimony, where God commanded Moses to put them, as it is expressed, Exodus 16:33,34 Num 17:10, and not strictly in it. But of this more, God assisting, on Hebrews 9:4.
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.