Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Kings 8:11

"so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud; for the glory of Jehovah filled the house of Jehovah." — 1 Kings 8:11 (ASV)

The priests could not stand to minister. —So in Exodus 40:35, Moses was not able to enter into the Tabernacle; for the cloud rested on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. They shrank from the glory of the Lord, whom none could see and live; just as Isaiah (Isaiah 6:5) felt undone when he beheld the glory of the Lord in the Temple; and as even the Apostles trembled when they entered into the bright cloud which overshadowed them on the Mount of Transfiguration, and knew not what they said (Luke 9:33–34). But it was not so much from terror of the Lord, who is a consuming fire, as simply from awe and reverence of His unspeakable glory.