The idea
Psalm 132, a Psalm of Ascents sung by pilgrims going up to Jerusalem, remembers David's oath to find a dwelling for the Ark and God's answer: 'This is my rest for ever; here will I dwell.' 'For the Psalmist, where the Ark goes, the presence of the LORD goes. Why? Because of the glory cloud.' The proof is Solomon's dedication: only after the priests carry the Ark into the Holy of Holies does the cloud come down and the glory of the LORD fill the Temple. 'Now that the Ark is where it belongs, God can once again dwell with his people.'
Key verses
- Psalm 132:8 — 'Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength.'
- Psalm 132:13 — 'This is my rest for ever; here will I dwell.'
- 1 Kings 8:10 — the cloud fills the house once the Ark is inside.
The connection
| Old Testament root | New Testament fulfilment | |
|---|---|---|
| The cloud follows the Ark into the sanctuary | → | The Spirit overshadows Mary — the Ark has returned |
This is the premise the Annunciation argument needs: the cloud and the Ark belong together. When Gabriel says the power of the Most High will overshadow Mary, a reader who knows Exodus 40 and 1 Kings 8 knows the Ark is back.