THE TWO TABERNACLES: THE OLD AND THE NEW
From the time David placed the Ark in the Tabernacle upon Mt Zion until the building of the Temple of Solomon there were two Tabernacles in Israel. There were two companies of ministers upon two mountains.
i. The Tabernacle of Moses upon Mount Gibeon.
1 Chr 16:37-43 (NIV) David left Asaph and his associates before the ark of the covenant of the LORD to minister there regularly, according to each day’s requirements. 38 He also left Obed-Edom and his sixty-eight associates to minister with them. Obed-Edom son of Jeduthun, and also Hosah, were gatekeepers. 39 David left Zadok the priest and his fellow priests before the tabernacle of the LORD at the high place in Gibeon 40 to present burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar of burnt offering regularly, morning and evening, in accordance with everything written in the Law of the LORD, which he had given Israel. 41 With them were Heman and Jeduthun and the rest of those chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the LORD, “for his love endures forever.” 42 Heman and Jeduthun were responsible for the sounding of the trumpets and cymbals and for the playing of the other instruments for sacred song. The sons of Jeduthun were stationed at the gate. 43 Then all the people left, each for his own home, and David returned home to bless his family.
2 Chr 1:1-13 (NIV) Solomon son of David established himself firmly over his kingdom, for the LORD his God was with him and made him exceedingly great. 2 Then Solomon spoke to all Israel—to the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, to the judges and to all the leaders in Israel, the heads of families— 3 and Solomon and the whole assembly went to the high place at Gibeon, for God’s Tent of Meeting was there, which Moses the Lord’s servant had made in the desert.
4 Now David had brought up the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim to the place he had prepared for it, because he had pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem.
5 But the bronze altar that Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made was in Gibeon in front of the tabernacle of the LORD; so Solomon and the assembly inquired of him there. 6 Solomon went up to the bronze altar before the LORD in the Tent of Meeting and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it. 7 That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” 8 Solomon answered God, “You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. 9 Now, LORD God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. 10 Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?” 11 God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, riches or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, 12 therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, riches and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.”
13 Then Solomon went to Jerusalem from the high place at Gibeon, from before the Tent of Meeting. And he reigned over Israel.
At this site there was no Ark of the Covenant. The priests who ministered were attending to the Outer Court and the Holy Place. The Holy of Holies was empty. This can be seen in the later days during the times of the Messiah as witnessed in the dispensational fulfillment of this pattern.
ii. The Tabernacle of David at Mt Zion.
2 Sam 5:7 (NIV) Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion, the City of David.
1 Ki 8:1-2 (NIV) Then King Solomon summoned into his presence at Jerusalem the elders of Israel, all the heads of the tribes and the chiefs of the Israelite families, to bring up the ark of the Lord’s covenant from Zion, the City of David
The Ark and hence the presence of the glory of God was found in Zion. This now represented the holiest of all, the place beyond the veil. Solomon touched both Gibeon & Zion as places of worship before moving towards building the temple.
1 Ki 3:15 (NIV) Then Solomon awoke—and he realized it had been a dream. He returned to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the Lord’s covenant and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then he gave a feast for all his court.
1 Ki 3:4 (NIV) The king went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices, for that was the most important high place, and Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar.
BEING LIKE MT ZION:
Psa 125:1 (NIV) A song of ascents. Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.:2 (NIV) As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore.
From this time on Mt Zion became significant and a change occurred in the Psalms and the Prophets as they spoke of Zion.
When the Scriptures speak of Mt Zion, remember that the Tabernacle of David was there and in it the Ark of God. The Scriptures about Zion tell of the Tabernacle of David’s order of worship and a new relationship with the Lord.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
Ps 2:6; ps 9:11-14; Ps 48:1-12; Ps 50:2; Ps 65:1; Ps 132:13-18; Ps78:68; Ps 110:1-2; Ps 84:7; Ps 87:2-5; Ps 134:3; Isa 4:3-5; Isa 12:6; Isa 33:14-24; Joel 2:1; Mic 4:2-4; Isa 16:1-5; Isa 28:16; Isa 59:20 Isa 66:8-10
(Rom 9:33 NIV) As it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”
(Rom 11:26 NIV) And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
(Rev 14:1-5 NIV) Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion,
For better understanding of the Davidic order read chapters 7-8-9-10 of Hebrews. The writer speaks about access to the Most Holy Place and going beyond the veil.
ORDER OF WORSHIP IN THE TWO TABERNACLES
| Tabernacle of Moses | Tabernacle of David |
| No songs were sung. | Singers & singing.
(1 Chr 15:16 NIV) David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brothers as singers to sing joyful songs, accompanied by musical instruments: lyres, harps and cymbals. |
| No music. | Instruments of music. |
(1 Chr 23:5 NIV) Four thousand are to be gatekeepers and four thousand are to praise the LORD with the musical instruments I have provided for that purpose.”
No praise.
Praise 1 Chr.16:4; 36
(1 Chr 16:4 NIV) He appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, to make petition, to give thanks, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel:
(1 Chr 16:36 NIV) Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Then all the people said “Amen” and “Praise the LORD.”
Pslm 90 seems to be the only Psalm associated with Moses.
Psalm singing.
(1 Chr 16:7 NIV) That day David first committed to Asaph and his associates this psalm of thanks to the LORD.
Giving thanks was not required at the Tent of Meeting
Thanking.
(1 Chr 16:4 NIV) He appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, to make petition, to give thanks, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel:
(1 Chr 16:8 NIV) Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.
(1 Chr 16:41 NIV) With them were Heman and Jeduthun and the rest of those chosen and designated by name to give thanks to the LORD, “for his love endures forever.”
The children of Israel were commanded to come to the Tabernacle. They came more in fear and awe than joy.
Rejoicing & joy.
(1 Chr 16:10 NIV) Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
(1 Chr 16:27 NIV) Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy in his dwelling place.
(1 Chr 16:31 NIV) Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!”
.
No clapping or similar noise in the Holy Place.
Clapping.
(Psa 47:1 NIV) For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.
The Israelites danced as part of their communal life but this was nor part of the Tabernacle services.
Dancing.
Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.
(Psa 149:3 NIV) Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with tambourine and harp.
Amen (to cursing.)
(Deu 27:15 NIV) “Cursed is the man who carves an image or casts an idol—a thing detestable to the LORD, the work of the craftsman’s hands—and sets it up in secret.” Then all the people shall say, “Amen!”.
Amen. (in blessing.)
(1 Chr 16:36 NIV) Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Then all the people said “Amen” and “Praise the LORD.”
No mention of hands being raised in the Holy Place.
Lifting up hands.
(Psa 134:1-2 NIV) A song of ascents. Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who minister by night in the house of the LORD. [2] Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD.
.
No shouting or crying out.
Much shouting. 1 Chr.15:28; Psa.47:1.
(1 Chr 15:28 NIV) So all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouts, with the sounding of (Psa 47:1 NIV) For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.
The people could only worship from afar off.
Access, bowing, worship near at hand The people stood before the Ark.
(1 Chr 16:29 NIV) ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name. Bring an offering and come before him; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.
.
Only the High Priest ministers
Levites minister before the Ark.
(1 Chr 16:29 NIV) ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name. Bring an offering and come before him; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.
THE CALL TO THE CHRISTIAN
“for you are not come to Mt Sinai” (Tabernacle of Moses)
“but you are come to Mt Zion” (Tabernacle of David)
The Gentiles through faith in Christ come into the tabernacle of David and the worship, song and praise that is to be seen and experienced in the New Testament Church order.
Amos 9:11ff (NIV) “In that day I will restore David’s fallen tent. I will repair its broken places, restore its ruins, and build it as it used to be, so that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations that bear my name, ” declares the LORD, who will do these things.” “The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when the reaper will be overtaken by the plowman and the planter by the one treading grapes. New wine will drip from the mountains and flow from all the hills.
John 4:20f (NIV) Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” Jesus declared, “Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.
Acts 15:16f (NIV) “‘After this I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things’