Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Kings 8:3

3 And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark .

For although the Levites might do this, Numb. 4. 15. yet the Priests did it at this time, partly, for the greater honour of the Solemnity; and partly, because the Levites might not enter into the Holy place, much less into the Holy of Holies, where it was to be placed, into which the Priests themselves might not have entred, if the High-Priest alone could have done it. Obj The Levites are said to have done this, 2 Chron. 5. 4. Ans. That is most true, because all the Priests were Levites, though all the Levites were not Priests.