Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 8:8
8. Drew out the staves “That is, they drew the staves, after the ark was set down in the most holy place, so far forward, that their ends could be observed from the sanctuary by the elevations on the vail, which might be seen in the sanctuary itself, but not without. The object of this cannot be determined with certainty. Some of the rabbies were of opinion that by this means the high priest on the great day of atonement was enabled to enter between the staves directly before the ark.” ... read more
Wesley's Explanatory Notes - 1 Kings 8:8
And they drew out the staves, that the ends of the staves were seen out in the holy place before the oracle, and they were not seen without: and there they are unto this day.Drew out — Not wholly, which was expressly forbidden, Exodus 25:15; Numbers 4:6, but in part.Seen out — In the most holy place, which is oft called by way of eminency, the holy place, and the Hebrew words rendered before the oracle, may be as well rendered, within the oracle. And these staves were left in this posture,... read more