Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Chronicles 5:8

"For the cherubim spread forth their wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubim covered the ark and the staves thereof above." — 2 Chronicles 5:8 (ASV)

For the cherubims spread forth their wings. —Rather, And the cherubim were spreading forth wings. Kings has for (kî), making the sentence an explanation of the last clause of 2 Chronicles 5:7.

Covered. —Kings has the technical term for the cherubim “covering” the ark (Exodus 25:20; 1 Chronicles 28:18). In Hebrew writing, the difference is marked by the transposition of a single letter. Perhaps, therefore, our present reading is a clerical error.