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Bible Lesson 13
1 Chronicles (or Book of Notes)

The Tabernacle of Moses & The Tabernacle of David

The Tabernacle of Moses and the Tabernacle of David both represent two different manifestations of God’s presence and two distinct spiritual dimensions in the Old Testament.
? What is the Tabernacle of Moses?
The Tabernacle of Moses was a portable sanctuary built according to the pattern God revealed to Moses on Mount Sinai. It was a place where God’s presence dwelt among His people.
“Let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.” — Exodus 25:8

Structure of the Tabernacle:
Outer Court: The altar of burnt offering and the laver (wash basin).
Holy Place: The lampstand, the table of showbread, and the altar of incense.
Most Holy Place: The Ark of the Covenant.
This tabernacle traveled with the Israelites throughout their wilderness journey.
During the time of Eli the high priest, the Ark of God was captured by the Philistines. About 60 years later, it was brought back to Jerusalem.
When the Ark was returned to Jerusalem, David placed it in a new tent he had pitched for it — this was called the Tabernacle of David.
At the same time, the original tabernacle that Moses had built — the old sanctuary system — was still standing in Gibeon (near Jerusalem).

(1 Chronicles 16:39–40)
However, the Ark of the Covenant was no longer there.
Thus, both the Tabernacle of Moses and the Tabernacle of David existed at the same time.
? The Significance of David’s Tabernacle
In David’s tabernacle, there were no blood sacrifices or ritual offerings. Instead, there was praise, prayer, thanksgiving, and worship.
David appointed the Levites to minister before the Ark of the Lord with musical instruments, to give thanks, and to praise the Lord continually
.
(1 Chronicles 16:4–6
)
Meanwhile, in the Mosaic tabernacle at Gibeon, burnt offerings continued to be made according to the law of Moses. David appointed priests to carry out those duties as well.
All these practices continued until Solomon built the Temple of the Lord. Then, the Ark of the Covenant was brought into Solomon’s Temple.
? The Spiritual Meaning of David’s Tabernacle
Today, when we offer spiritual sacrifices to God, they must be modeled after the Tabernacle of David, where God’s presence was manifest.
Sacrifices or offerings without God’s presence have no true value. Only those spiritual sacrifices that are offered in His presence are acceptable.
David’s kingdom and tabernacle came to an end when Jerusalem was captured during the reign of King Zedekiah.
But when Jesus Christ, born from the line of David, offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for sin, the spiritual tabernacle of David was restor
ed.
“In that day I will raise up the fallen tabernacle of David.” — Amos 9
:11
This prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
✅ In Summary:
Tabernacle of Moses — Sacrifice, Blood, Law
Tabernacle of David — Praise, Worship, Presence
In Jesus Christ — Both are fulfilled
Ezekiel Shanmugavel
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