The Tabernacle of DavidSýnishorn

The Setup

The lives of King Saul and King David have been thoroughly scrutinized, examined, debated, and expounded upon for centuries. Profound lessons can be gleaned from both of their experiences, carrying significant relevance to our contemporary interactions with our Heavenly Father.

Until recently, the concept of the tabernacle of David was a foreign concept to me. Upon delving into recent studies, the implications for today's context become strikingly apparent, unveiling the profound nature of David's heart and the prophetic significance of his fervent desire for God's presence above all else. This passion is vividly expressed in Psalm 27:4, where David declares, “one thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.”

In the mid-19th century, Methodist minister George Smith emphasized the often-overlooked Tabernacle of David, stating, “It is scarcely possible to find a more neglected, or a more important, portion of scriptural inquiry than this.”

Kevin Conner, a notable figure in the 1970s, authored one of the most influential books on the topic. Interestingly, upon encountering the phrase "tabernacle of David" for the first time, Conner candidly admitted, “I did not even know that David had a tabernacle.”

While David's designation as a man after God’s heart is affirmed in both Samuel and reiterated in Acts 13:22, it is imperative to note that this distinction did not imply perfection. David, despite his flaws, including lust, adultery, murder, a detrimental census, and less-than-stellar fatherhood, exhibited a remarkable inclination for repentance, exemplified in Psalm 51—a poignant response to the prophet Nathan's confrontation of David's transgressions with Bathsheba.

In the coming days of this Bible plan, our exploration will encompass the prophet Amos, the Jerusalem Council in Acts, and an in-depth examination of King Saul's and King David's lives. Through this journey, we aim to unravel the implications for contemporary Christians by understanding the pivotal role of the tabernacle of David in the heart of Jerusalem.