Tabernacle

The Power of God’s Presence

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1 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the leaders of the fathers’ houses of the people of Israel, before King Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion. 2 And all the men of Israel assembled to King Solomon at the feast in the month Ethanim, which is the seventh month. 3 And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark. 4 And they brought up the ark of the LORD, the tent of meeting, and all the holy vessels that were in the tent; the priests and the Levites brought them up. 5 And King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, who had assembled before him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing so many sheep and oxen that they could not be counted or numbered. 6 Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place in the inner sanctuary of the house, in the Most Holy Place, underneath the wings of the cherubim. 7 For the cherubim spread out their wings over the place of the ark, so that the cherubim overshadowed the ark and its poles. 8 And the poles were so long that the ends of the poles were seen from the Holy Place before the inner sanctuary; but they could not be seen from outside. And they are there to this day. 9 There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets of stone that Moses put there at Horeb, where the LORD made a covenant with the people of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt. 10 And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, a cloud filled the house of the LORD, 11 so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD. – 1 Kings 8:1-11 ESV

After nearly seven and a half years of construction, the temple was finally completed. The only thing left to do was to retrieve the Ark of the Covenant from its resting place in the City of David and transfer it to its new home within the Most Holy place of the new Temple. However, while this might sound like a relatively easy task, considering all the time, energy, and effort that went into building the Temple, it is actually a challenging and dangerous endeavor. As the son of David, Solomon would have been well aware of the stories surrounding his father’s past attempts to transport the Ark. He was not interested in repeating his father’s mistakes.

God had given Moses precise instructions on the proper way to move the Ark from one place to another. Because it was considered to be holy, it had to be handled with extreme care and treated with deep reverence. God had provided clear guidelines concerning both how and who was to transport the Ark and the other holy vessels.

“When the camp is to set out, Aaron and his sons shall go in and take down the veil of the screen and cover the ark of the testimony with it. Then they shall put on it a covering of goatskin and spread on top of that a cloth all of blue, and shall put in its poles.… And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, as the camp sets out, after that the sons of Kohath shall come to carry these, but they must not touch the holy things, lest they die. These are the things of the tent of meeting that the sons of Kohath are to carry.” – Numbers 4:5-6, 15 ESV

Throughout the 40 years that the Israelites spent wandering in the wilderness, long before they settled in the land of Canaan, this was the method used to transport the Ark from place to place. But after Israel finally settled in the land of promise, the Ark had come to rest in the town of Kiriath-jearim, and was kept under the care of a man named Abinadab. When David became the second king of Israel and established Jerusalem as his capital, he determined to relocate the Ark and the Tent of Meeting (also known as the Tabernacle). So, he consulted with all his officials, including the generals and captains of his army, and then announced his plans to the people of Israel.

“If you approve and if it is the will of the LORD our God, let us send messages to all the Israelites throughout the land, including the priests and Levites in their towns and pasturelands. Let us invite them to come and join us. It is time to bring back the Ark of our God, for we neglected it during the reign of Saul.” – 1 Chronicles 13:2-3 NLT

Having received the unanimous support of the people, David organized an elaborate parade to accompany the Ark on its journey from the home of Abinadab to Jerusalem. It was a festive and joyous occasion, featuring music, dancing, and a worshipful celebration of God.

Then David and all Israel went to Baalah of Judah (also called Kiriath-jearim) to bring back the Ark of God, which bears the name of the Lord who is enthroned between the cherubim. They placed the Ark of God on a new cart and brought it from Abinadab’s house. Uzzah and Ahio were guiding the cart. David and all Israel were celebrating before God with all their might, singing songs and playing all kinds of musical instruments—lyres, harps, tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets. – 1 Chronicles 13:6-8 NLT

But the joy quickly turned to sorrow, and the dancing was replaced by mourning. David had disobeyed God’s commands. In his zeal to move the Ark of the Covenant, he had neglected to do so according to God’s clearly revealed will. As a result, tragedy struck.

But when they arrived at the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out his hand and steadied the Ark of God. Then the LORD’s anger was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him dead because of this. So Uzzah died right there beside the Ark of God. – 2 Samuel 6:6-8 NLT

God had never commanded the Ark to be transported by a cart pulled by oxen. However, David had devised this ingenious plan to expedite the process of transporting the Ark. In his mind, it would be a much quicker and easier way of getting the job done. But his plan resulted in Uzzah’s death. As the oxen stumbled and the Ark began to fall, Uzzah attempted to steady the Ark with his hand. In doing so, he disobeyed God’s command.

“…they must not touch the holy things, lest they die.” – Numbers 4:15 ESV

David was angry and frustrated over Uzzah’s death. But he was also confused and wondered how he would ever get the Ark safely transported into Jerusalem. Unsure of what to do, he simply ordered the Ark to be moved to the house of Obed-edom of Gath, where it remained for three months. Eventually, David was informed that the presence of the Ark had resulted in great blessings for Obed-edom. This news appears to have prompted David to take another chance at moving the Ark, but this time he chose to do it God’s way.

So David went there and brought the Ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the City of David with a great celebration. After the men who were carrying the Ark of the LORD had gone six steps, David sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. And David danced before the LORD with all his might, wearing a priestly garment. So David and all the people of Israel brought up the Ark of the LORD with shouts of joy and the blowing of rams’ horns. – 2 Samuel 6:12-15 NLT

Fortunately, Solomon was able to use his knowledge of these past events and the wisdom given to him by God to make the right decision. He chose to follow God’s commands and treat the Ark of the Covenant with the honor and reverence it deserved.

…the priests took up the ark. And they brought up the ark of the LORD, the tent of meeting, and all the holy vessels that were in the tent; the priests and the Levites brought them up. – 1 Kings 8:3-4 ESV

When the priests had successfully moved the Ark into the Most Holy Place of the new Temple, a significant event occurred. Because they had followed God’s instructions, they received a visible sign that God was pleased with their efforts.

When the priests came out of the Holy Place, a thick cloud filled the Temple of the LORD. The priests could not continue their service because of the cloud, for the glorious presence of the LORD filled the Temple of the LORD. – 1 Kings 8:10-11 NLT

Yahweh showed up. He entered the Most Holy Place, in the form of a cloud, and settled over the Mercy Seat, which covered the Ark of the Covenant. This visible manifestation was meant to assure Solomon and the people of Israel that Yahweh had taken up residence in the newly completed Temple. It was a tangible reminder of how God had revealed Himself to their ancestors in the wilderness hundreds of years earlier.

Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. – Exodus 40:34-35 ESV

Solomon had managed to build a one-of-a-kind structure of unsurpassed beauty. But it was the presence of the cloud that transformed what was an opulent but ordinary building into the dwelling place of God. Solomon had built a building. But only when God showed up did it truly become a Temple. The apostle Paul would later remind his fellow believers in Christ that they, too, had become temples of God because of the presence of the Spirit of God within them.

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NLT

Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? – 1 Corinthians 3:16 BSB

It was not the massive stones, elaborate carvings, precious gems, intricately woven fabrics, and expensive metals that made the Temple glorious; it was the presence of God. The cloud of His presence made the Temple holy, just as the presence of the Holy Spirit sets apart every believer as “a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work” (2 Timothy 2:21 ESV).

Yahweh anointed Solomon’s Temple with His divine presence. In a sense, He gave the Temple His Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval. Without the presence of Yahweh, the Temple would have remained just another building. It would have been impressive to look at, but devoid of power. It was only when Yahweh showed up that the Temple was transformed from a brick-and-mortar edifice to the earthly dwelling place of Israel’s God. The apostle Paul reminds us that the same thing takes place each time the Spirit of God takes up residence in the life of a believer.

For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.

We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. – 2 Corinthians 4:6-7 NLT

As human beings, our only claim to fame is that we have been made in the image of God. But because of indwelling sin, our ability to reflect His image has been marred. However, when a sinner places His faith in the life-transforming work of the Son of God, he is immediately filled with the Holy Spirit and receives “power from on high” (Luke 24:49 ESV). At that moment, the glory of God takes up residence in the believer’s life and transforms a fragile clay jar into a temple worthy of Yahweh’s presence and overflowing with Yahweh’s power.

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

No Detail Too Small

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13 And King Solomon sent and brought Hiram from Tyre. 14 He was the son of a widow of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in bronze. And he was full of wisdom, understanding, and skill for making any work in bronze. He came to King Solomon and did all his work.

15 He cast two pillars of bronze. Eighteen cubits was the height of one pillar, and a line of twelve cubits measured its circumference. It was hollow, and its thickness was four fingers. The second pillar was the same. 16 He also made two capitals of cast bronze to set on the tops of the pillars. The height of the one capital was five cubits, and the height of the other capital was five cubits. 17 There were lattices of checker work with wreaths of chain work for the capitals on the tops of the pillars, a lattice for the one capital and a lattice for the other capital. 18 Likewise he made pomegranates in two rows around the one latticework to cover the capital that was on the top of the pillar, and he did the same with the other capital. 19 Now the capitals that were on the tops of the pillars in the vestibule were of lily-work, four cubits. 20 The capitals were on the two pillars and also above the rounded projection which was beside the latticework. There were two hundred pomegranates in two rows all around, and so with the other capital. 21 He set up the pillars at the vestibule of the Temple. He set up the pillar on the south and called its name Jachin, and he set up the pillar on the north and called its name Boaz. 22 And on the tops of the pillars was lily-work. Thus the work of the pillars was finished.

23 Then he made the sea of cast metal. It was round, ten cubits from brim to brim, and five cubits high, and a line of thirty cubits measured its circumference. 24 Under its brim were gourds, for ten cubits, compassing the sea all around. The gourds were in two rows, cast with it when it was cast. 25 It stood on twelve oxen, three facing north, three facing west, three facing south, and three facing east. The sea was set on them, and all their rear parts were inward. 26 Its thickness was a handbreadth, and its brim was made like the brim of a cup, like the flower of a lily. It held two thousand baths.

27 He also made the ten stands of bronze. Each stand was four cubits long, four cubits wide, and three cubits high. 28 This was the construction of the stands: they had panels, and the panels were set in the frames, 29 and on the panels that were set in the frames were lions, oxen, and cherubim. On the frames, both above and below the lions and oxen, there were wreaths of beveled work. 30 Moreover, each stand had four bronze wheels and axles of bronze, and at the four corners were supports for a basin. The supports were cast with wreaths at the side of each. 31 Its opening was within a crown that projected upward one cubit. Its opening was round, as a pedestal is made, a cubit and a half deep. At its opening there were carvings, and its panels were square, not round. 32 And the four wheels were underneath the panels. The axles of the wheels were of one piece with the stands, and the height of a wheel was a cubit and a half. 33 The wheels were made like a chariot wheel; their axles, their rims, their spokes, and their hubs were all cast. 34 There were four supports at the four corners of each stand. The supports were of one piece with the stands. 35 And on the top of the stand there was a round band half a cubit high; and on the top of the stand its stays and its panels were of one piece with it. 36 And on the surfaces of its stays and on its panels, he carved cherubim, lions, and palm trees, according to the space of each, with wreaths all around. 37 After this manner he made the ten stands. All of them were cast alike, of the same measure and the same form.

38 And he made ten basins of bronze. Each basin held forty baths, each basin measured four cubits, and there was a basin for each of the ten stands. 39 And he set the stands, five on the south side of the house, and five on the north side of the house. And he set the sea at the southeast corner of the house. – 1 Kings 7:13-39 ESV

The first question that comes to mind when reading this section of Chapter Seven is why the author took such great pains to describe each and every item in such precise detail. The amount of information is almost overwhelming, and even with all the helpful descriptions, it’s virtually impossible to determine what each item actually looked like.  So, why dedicate so much time and space to their description?

In a sense, the author is telling his readers that Solomon was a man who took a keen interest in every phase of the massive construction project he had commissioned. His father had left him with the overwhelming responsibility to create a house worthy of the God of Israel, and that was not something he took lightly. Solomon was a hands-on construction manager who cared deeply about every detail concerning this once-in-a-lifetime undertaking. While he delegated much of the work, there was never a moment when Solomon was not intimately and personally involved in it. He cared deeply about this project and wanted to ensure that the finished product was both beautiful and functional. When completed, the Temple would become the focal point of Israel’s worship of Yahweh. So, Solomon intended for every item associated with its construction and its ultimate operation to be of the finest craftsmanship.

From the quarrying of the massive stones used to build the temple to the carving of the intricate reliefs that adorned the bronze stands, Solomon oversaw everything. To ensure that the workmanship was of the highest quality, Solomon hired the finest craftsman money could buy.

Verse 13 states that Solomon sought out the services of a skilled craftsman from the city of Tyre, a gifted worker in bronze. But notice the additional details concerning Hiram’s qualifications:

And he was full of wisdom, understanding, and skill for making any work in bronze. – 1 Kings 7:1 ESV

This brings to mind a passage from the book of Exodus where God provided Moses with the identity of another man who would assist in the construction of the Tabernacle.

The LORD said to Moses, “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft.” – Exodus 31:1-5 ESV

As was the case with Moses, it seems that Solomon was receiving divine assistance in procuring the services of the right people to help him complete this one-of-a-kind project. Hiram came highly recommended and divinely gifted for the job.

Once he arrived in Jerusalem, Hiram set to work casting the two bronze pillars that would grace the entrance to the Temple. At 27 feet in height, these two immense pillars were likely more decorative than functional. Since they were cast from a relatively soft metal like bronze and featured hollow interiors, they would have been incapable of providing support to the Temple’s roof.

These pillars were intended to frame the entrance to the Temple and provide symbolic significance to the One who dwelt within. Each pillar had a name. One was called Boaz, which means “In Him is strength.” The other was named Jachin, which means “He shall establish.” Both names were explicit references to the God of Israel. Every detail that adorned these pillars, from the water lilies to the pomegranates, was intended to illustrate the goodness and greatness of God. The Israelites served a God who provided them with everything they needed, including fertility and fruitfulness.

Next, Hiram crafted “the sea,” a large bronze basin that would sit outside the Temple’s entrance. This massive bowl was designed to replace the bronze laver that God had prescribed for the Tabernacle, while serving the same function as the original. According to Exodus 30, the first laver was used by the priests to purify themselves before offering sacrifices to God.

“You shall also make a basin of bronze, with its stand of bronze, for washing. You shall put it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and you shall put water in it, with which Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet. When they go into the tent of meeting, or when they come near the altar to minister, to burn a food offering to the Lord, they shall wash with water, so that they may not die. They shall wash their hands and their feet, so that they may not die. It shall be a statute forever to them, even to him and to his offspring throughout their generations.” – Exodus 30:18-21 ESV

The new basin was 15 feet in diameter, 47 feet in circumference, with a depth of 7.5 feet. It could hold up to 18,000 gallons of water, and its large size appears to have been designed to allow priests to completely immerse themselves, rather than just washing their hands and feet. It rested on the backs of 12 bronze oxen, arranged in groups of three, with each group facing a different direction on the compass. These bronze bulls may have been intended to represent the 12 tribes of Israel. But regardless, they were clearly symbols of strength.

Hiram then crafted ten mobile carts, each equipped with a large bronze basin. They featured wheels that allowed them to be moved about the Temple courtyard.

He also made ten basins in which to wash, and set five on the south side, and five on the north side. In these they were to rinse off what was used for the burnt offering, and the sea was for the priests to wash in. – 2 Chronicles 4:6 ESV

Each cart was six feet square and five and one-half feet high, and it held a bronze basin that could hold up to 240 gallons of water. As the Chronicles passage indicates, they were strategically located around the Temple courtyard and used by the priests to cleanse the blood from the sacrificial animals before they were offered to God.

You can almost sense that Solomon was attempting to improve on every item used in the original Tabernacle. He was making significant upgrades. Every item Hiram created was bigger and better than the original. Solomon was obsessed with making the house of God a grand and glorious structure, with every detail reflecting the majesty of its divine occupant. He could have saved himself a lot of time and money by reusing the original items, but Solomon would not settle for anything less than the best. So, he poured countless hours and resources into creating a Temple worthy of his great God, down to the last detail.

Solomon was following the instructions Yahweh gave to Moses from Mount Sinai when He ordered the creation of the original Tabernacle.

“Have the people of Israel build me a holy sanctuary so I can live among them. You must build this Tabernacle and its furnishings exactly according to the pattern I will show you.” – Exodus 25:8-9 NLT

Moses received detailed plans for the construction of the LORD’s house, with nothing left to the imagination. God was explicit in describing every facet of the Tabernacle’s design, and ordered Moses, “Be sure that you make everything according to the pattern I have shown you here on the mountain” (Exodus 25:40 NLT). Evidently, Moses received a vision of what the completed Tabernacle should look like, and he was to ensure that the finished product was an accurate facsimile. He was not to cut corners, leave out any detail, or make alterations to its design. No expense was to be spared, no shortcuts taken, and no cost-cutting measures considered because this was to be the house of Yahweh. The God of the universe deserved nothing but the best. If the people of Israel expected Him to dwell among them, they would need to build a house worthy of housing His presence. 

“I will meet the people of Israel there, in the place made holy by my glorious presence. Yes, I will consecrate the Tabernacle and the altar, and I will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests. Then I will live among the people of Israel and be their God, and they will know that I am the LORD their God. I am the one who brought them out of the land of Egypt so that I could live among them. I am the LORD their God.” – Exodus 29:43-46 NLT

Solomon shared Moses’ commitment to build a house that Yahweh would deem worthy of bearing His name and containing His glory. So, he went out of his way to ensure that this house met Yahweh’s exacting standards, because he longed for the assurance of Yahweh’s presence and power.

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Worthy of Glory and Honor

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14 So Solomon built the house and finished it. 15 He lined the walls of the house on the inside with boards of cedar. From the floor of the house to the walls of the ceiling, he covered them on the inside with wood, and he covered the floor of the house with boards of cypress. 16 He built twenty cubits of the rear of the house with boards of cedar from the floor to the walls, and he built this within as an inner sanctuary, as the Most Holy Place. 17 The house, that is, the nave in front of the inner sanctuary, was forty cubits long. 18 The cedar within the house was carved in the form of gourds and open flowers. All was cedar; no stone was seen. 19 The inner sanctuary he prepared in the innermost part of the house, to set there the ark of the covenant of the LORD. 20 The inner sanctuary was twenty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and twenty cubits high, and he overlaid it with pure gold. He also overlaid an altar of cedar. 21 And Solomon overlaid the inside of the house with pure gold, and he drew chains of gold across, in front of the inner sanctuary, and overlaid it with gold. 22 And he overlaid the whole house with gold, until all the house was finished. Also the whole altar that belonged to the inner sanctuary he overlaid with gold.

23 In the inner sanctuary he made two cherubim of olivewood, each ten cubits high. 24 Five cubits was the length of one wing of the cherub, and five cubits the length of the other wing of the cherub; it was ten cubits from the tip of one wing to the tip of the other. 25 The other cherub also measured ten cubits; both cherubim had the same measure and the same form. 26 The height of one cherub was ten cubits, and so was that of the other cherub. 27 He put the cherubim in the innermost part of the house. And the wings of the cherubim were spread out so that a wing of one touched the one wall, and a wing of the other cherub touched the other wall; their other wings touched each other in the middle of the house. 28 And he overlaid the cherubim with gold.

29 Around all the walls of the house he carved engraved figures of cherubim and palm trees and open flowers, in the inner and outer rooms. 30 The floor of the house he overlaid with gold in the inner and outer rooms.

31 For the entrance to the inner sanctuary he made doors of olivewood; the lintel and the doorposts were five-sided. 32 He covered the two doors of olivewood with carvings of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers. He overlaid them with gold and spread gold on the cherubim and on the palm trees.

33 So also he made for the entrance to the nave doorposts of olivewood, in the form of a square, 34 and two doors of cypress wood. The two leaves of the one door were folding, and the two leaves of the other door were folding. 35 On them he carved cherubim and palm trees and open flowers, and he overlaid them with gold evenly applied on the carved work. 36 He built the inner court with three courses of cut stone and one course of cedar beams.

37 In the fourth year the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid, in the month of Ziv. 38 And in the eleventh year, in the month of Bul, which is the eighth month, the house was finished in all its parts, and according to all its specifications. He was seven years in building it. – 1 Kings 6:14-38 ESV

According to 1 Chronicles 28, David provided his son with detailed plans for constructing the Temple. He left nothing to chance, even leaving precise instructions for the duties of the priests and Levites, and outlining the various utensils to be used in the worship of Yahweh.

Then David gave Solomon the plans for the Temple and its surroundings, including the entry room, the storerooms, the upstairs rooms, the inner rooms, and the inner sanctuary—which was the place of atonement. David also gave Solomon all the plans he had in mind for the courtyards of the LORD’s Temple, the outside rooms, the treasuries, and the rooms for the gifts dedicated to the LORD. – 1 Chronicles 28:11-12 NLT

It is apparent from the descriptions given in these verses that David was modeling the Temple according to the plans of the Tabernacle that God had given to Moses. The Tabernacle, while a beautiful and ornate structure, was actually little more than a glorified tent designed for easy tear-down and set-up, so that it could be transported from one place to another. Yet David had intended the temple to be a permanent structure that would stand as a perpetual monument to God’s greatness.

Solomon spared no expense in creating this “house” for the God of Israel. He lined the walls and ceilings with imported cedar wood. He had the floors adorned with hand-crafted planks made from the finest cypress. He commissioned skilled craftsmen to carve doors made from olivewood. Following the pattern of the Tabernacle and the plans provided by his father, Solomon ensured that the temple featured a Holy Place and a Most Holy Place, also known as the Holy of Holies. Each of these rooms had special significance and purpose, and was designed to mirror the glory and greatness of God. Eight separate times, the author mentions the prominent use of solid gold in the construction. The entire building was filled with intricately carved reliefs featuring cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers.

This structure was meant to be a feast for the eyes. It was designed to create a virtual overload on the senses, drawing the attention of the onlooker upward and inward, into the inner recesses of the Most Holy Place where the Ark of the Covenant and the Mercy Seat of God were located. Everything about the building was meant to be symbolic or representative of a greater reality. This was intended to be the dwelling place of God on earth, and Solomon did everything in his power to ensure that this building, though built with human hands, declared the incomparable greatness of God.

For nearly seven and a half years, Solomon oversaw and underwrote this ambitious project. He poured countless hours into its planning. He spent endless days orchestrating all the details surrounding its construction and allocated vast sums of money to see that, when it was finally completed, it would be without equal. This was not a side project for Solomon. While he still had a kingdom to run, he never allowed the Temple to become a second-tier priority. Although he likely delegated many of the responsibilities related to its construction, he always maintained control over every aspect of its creation.

This was a labor of love that reveals Solomon’s determination to honor the God of his father. However, it also demonstrates Solomon’s own dedication to glorifying the God of Israel by constructing the finest Temple that money could afford and human ingenuity could create. Solomon wanted this to be a showplace, not to stroke his own ego, but to exalt Yahweh as the one true God. It was to be a house fit for a King – the King of the universe. Solomon’s unwavering determination to spare no expense in its construction reflects his grasp of Yahweh’s unparalleled supremacy. Ultimately, he knew that his efforts to construct a house worthy of God would prove woefully inadequate because, like the psalmist, he understood the incomparable nature of its occupant.

O LORD my God, how great you are!
    You are robed with honor and majesty.
    You are dressed in a robe of light.
You stretch out the starry curtain of the heavens;
    you lay out the rafters of your home in the rain clouds.
You make the clouds your chariot;
    you ride upon the wings of the wind.
The winds are your messengers;
    flames of fire are your servants. – Psalm 104-1-4 NLT

Solomon did everything he could to create an earthly dwelling place that was worthy of the incomparable and transcendent God of the universe. For seven years, he spared no expense and drove his workers relentlessly to ensure that the final product would be acceptable to God. Yet, despite all his efforts, Solomon knew that no structure built by flawed human hands would ever measure up to God’s glorious standards. In his prayer of dedication for the completed Temple, Solomon admitted that his grand “house,” while a sight to behold, was sorely inadequate to serve as Yahweh’s dwelling place.

“But will God really live on earth? Why, even the highest heavens cannot contain you. How much less this Temple I have built!” – 1 Kings 8:27 NLT

Solomon was a realist. He knew from the moment his father assigned him the task of building the Temple that he was faced with an impossible assignment. When he contracted with King Hiram of Tyre to supply all the lumber for the project, he admitted, “This must be a magnificent Temple because our God is greater than all other gods. But who can really build him a worthy home? Not even the highest heavens can contain him! So who am I to consider building a Temple for him, except as a place to burn sacrifices to him?” (2 Chronicles 2:5-6 NLT). 

Solomon seemed to understand that the Temple would serve as a focal point of Israel’s worship, providing a tangible and visible place where heaven and earth met. In his prayer of dedication, he expresses his understanding that the Temple was meant to serve as a lifeline to Yahweh.

“May you hear the humble and earnest requests from me and your people Israel when we pray toward this place. Yes, hear us from heaven where you live, and when you hear, forgive.” – 1 Kings 8:30 NLT

Solomon was under no delusion that Yahweh would actually take up residence in the Temple. As he repeatedly makes clear in his prayer of dedication, the Temple was built to honor God’s name. It was an earthly structure dedicated solely to Yahweh and set apart for worshiping Him alone. As long as it stood, it would draw the people of God into His presence and focus their attention on His glory, righteousness, holiness, and power. The Temple was to be a tangible reminder of Yahweh’s unrivalled majesty and perfection. It was intended to be a dim reflection of God’s glorious heavenly throne room.

In the Book of Revelation, the apostle John attempted to record his vision of the throne room of God in heaven. Hampered by the limits of human language, John did his best to describe the indescribable.

“Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.” And instantly I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it. The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones—like jasper and carnelian. And the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow. Twenty-four thrones surrounded him, and twenty-four elders sat on them. They were all clothed in white and had gold crowns on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder. And in front of the throne were seven torches with burning flames. This is the sevenfold Spirit of God. In front of the throne was a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal.” – Revelation 4:1-6 NLT

This was what Solomon attempted to replicate with his construction of the Temple, but he never had the benefit of seeing what John saw. Left to his imagination, he filled the Temple with expensive wood, precious metals, and elaborate stonework. He patterned it after the plans for the Tabernacle and included images of gourds, flowers, palm trees, and cherubim, angelic beings involved in the worship and praise of God. Everything was intended to accentuate and illustrate the glory of God. It was an earthly building meant to mirror a heavenly reality that was beyond human comprehension.

Yahweh was great and greatly to be praised. His name was worthy of honor and glory. His power was incomparable, and His majesty was unmatched by anything in the universe. The Temple was meant to reflect God’s greatness, and Solomon spent seven years and untold riches seeing that it would be a house worthy of bearing Yahweh’s name.

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

The True Temple of God

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A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. A Song.

1 On the holy mount stands the city he founded;
2     the LORD loves the gates of Zion
    more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.
3 Glorious things of you are spoken,
    O city of God. Selah

4 Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon;
    behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cush—
    “This one was born there,” they say.
5 And of Zion it shall be said,
    “This one and that one were born in her”;
    for the Most High himself will establish her.
6 The LORD records as he registers the peoples,
    “This one was born there.” Selah

7 Singers and dancers alike say,
    “All my springs are in you.” – Psalm 87:1-7 ESV

In another psalm attributed to the sons of Korah, the author praises the glory of Zion, the mountain upon which Jerusalem sits. In this royal city of David was located the majestic Temple, the dwelling place of Israel’s God. That this psalm was written by one of the sons of Korah makes it all the more striking. Their ancestor was a man who took part in an open rebellion against the leadership of Moses and Aaron. He was motivated by discontentment with his clan’s role in the service of the Temple. Numbers 16 records God’s punishment of Korah and his co-conspirators, but it also chronicles His sparing of Korah’s sons. They were graciously allowed to live and continue their work in God’s house.

So, this unnamed son of Korah chose to express his admiration for the Temple and its impact on the nation of Israel. He displays joy at the privilege of serving in the place where God chose to make His presence known. Yahweh had given His seal of approval for the Temple that Solomon built by taking up residence in it.

When Solomon finished praying, fire flashed down from heaven and burned up the burnt offerings and sacrifices, and the glorious presence of the LORD filled the Temple. The priests could not enter the Temple of the LORD because the glorious presence of the LORD filled it. When all the people of Israel saw the fire coming down and the glorious presence of the LORD filling the Temple, they fell face down on the ground and worshiped and praised the LORD, saying,

“He is good!
    His faithful love endures forever!” – 2 Chronicles 7:1-3 NLT

Years later, the psalmist reminds his fellow Israelites of their good fortune at having the Temple in their midst.

On the holy mountain
    stands the city founded by the LORD.
He loves the city of Jerusalem
    more than any other city in Israel.
O city of God,
    what glorious things are said of you! – Psalm 87:1-3 NLT

It was not the building itself that set Israel apart from all the other nations on earth. It was a magnificent structure that filled every Israelite with pride, but its true grandeur came from the glory of Yahweh that filled the Holy of Holies. At the dedication of the Temple, God declared His acceptance of the structure Solomon had constructed and His intention to bless His chosen people by dwelling among them.

“I have chosen this Temple and set it apart to be holy—a place where my name will be honored forever. I will always watch over it, for it is dear to my heart.” – 2 Chronicles 7:16 NLT

But the psalmist points out that Jerusalem, the city of God, would be home to more than just the people of Israel. He adds what appears to be a quote from Yahweh that expresses the Temple’s international influence and the countless people from all the nations of the world who chose to make Yahweh their God.

I will count Egypt and Babylon among those who know me—
    also Philistia and Tyre, and even distant Ethiopia.
    They have all become citizens of Jerusalem! – Psalm 87:4 NLT

While Yahweh had set apart the Israelites as His own, He had not turned His back on the other nations. His presence and power had manifested from His holy Temple in Jerusalem and drawn others to choose Him as their God. Yahweh was an equal-opportunity deity who welcomed all to worship Him.

“Everyone enjoys the rights of citizenship there.” – Psalm 87:5 NLT

Jerusalem was to be a light on a hill, shining forth the glory of God to the nations cloaked in darkness. The prophet Isaiah carried this idea further when he wrote of a “servant” who would bring light to the world.

“I, the Lord, have called you to demonstrate my righteousness.
    I will take you by the hand and guard you,
and I will give you to my people, Israel,
    as a symbol of my covenant with them.
And you will be a light to guide the nations.” – Isaiah 42:6 NLT

And now the Lord speaks—
    the one who formed me in my mother’s womb to be his servant,
    who commissioned me to bring Israel back to him.
The Lord has honored me,
    and my God has given me strength.
He says, “You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me.
    I will make you a light to the Gentiles,
    and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.” – Isaiah 59:5-6 NLT

Centuries later, the apostle John linked this “servant” role to Jesus.

In the beginning the Word already existed.
    The Word was with God,
    and the Word was God.
He existed in the beginning with God.
God created everything through him,
    and nothing was created except through him.
The Word gave life to everything that was created,
    and his life brought light to everyone.
The light shines in the darkness,
    and the darkness can never extinguish it. – John 1:1-5 NLT

The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. – John 1:9 NLT

Jesus would later say of Himself, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life” (John 8:12 NLT). Jesus was the Son of God who took on human flesh and, according to John, “made his home among us” (John 1:14 NLT). The Greek word John used to describe Jesus’ incarnation is skēnoō, which comes from the root word skēnos, which can be translated as “tabernacle” or “tent.” John is suggesting that Jesus “tabernacled” among us, just as the earthly Tabernacle dwelt among the people of Israel as they journeyed through the wilderness.

John goes on to say, “We have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son” (John 1:14 NLT). As the glory of God existed in the Holy of Holies of the Tabernacle, so Jesus displayed the glory of God in His human life.

For in Christ all the fulness of the  Deity dwells in bodily form.” – Colossians 2:9  BSB

Even Jesus utilized the metaphor of the Temple when referring to His life. He told the Jews, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days” (John 2:19 NLT). John went on to explain the meaning behind Jesus’ rather cryptic saying.

But when Jesus said “this temple,” he meant his own body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered he had said this, and they believed both the Scriptures and what Jesus had said. – John 2:21-22 NLT

Jesus represented the true temple of God. In Him, divinity and humanity were joined together. He was the new locus of God’s presence on earth. Four decades after His death and resurrection, the Romans destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem. To this day, the peak of Mount Zion is void of any memory of the Temple’s once grand presence, except for the stones of its former foundation.

According to Paul, the Temple and everything associated with it were mere shadows of something greater to come (Colossians 2:17). They pointed to Christ, and the author of Hebrews explains how they provided a glimpse into the reality of Jesus’ role as the final manifestation of God’s glory on earth.

That first covenant between God and Israel had regulations for worship and a place of worship here on earth. There were two rooms in that Tabernacle. In the first room were a lampstand, a table, and sacred loaves of bread on the table. This room was called the Holy Place. Then there was a curtain, and behind the curtain was the second room called the Most Holy Place. In that room were a gold incense altar and a wooden chest called the Ark of the Covenant, which was covered with gold on all sides. Inside the Ark were a gold jar containing manna, Aaron’s staff that sprouted leaves, and the stone tablets of the covenant. Above the Ark were the cherubim of divine glory, whose wings stretched out over the Ark’s cover, the place of atonement. But we cannot explain these things in detail now. – Hebrew 9:1-5 NLT

All the furniture that filled the earthly Tabernacle was meant to illustrate Christ.

The golden lampstand – “I am the light of the world.” (John 8:12)

Table of shewbread – “I am the bread of life.” –(John 6:35)

The altar of incense – Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ…a fragrance from death to death…a fragrance from life to life. (2  Corinthians 2:14-16 NLT)

The Ark of the Covenant – Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation [hilastērion: Mercy Seat] by his blood, to be received by faith. (Romans 3:24-25)

Jesus became the means by which sinful men could receive permanent atonement for their sins. He became the true Temple of God, offering access into the Father’s presence through His own shed blood. His sacrifice made atonement available to all who were willing to accept the gracious gift of His righteousness in exchange for their wickedness. And the Book of Revelation reveals that the day will come when Jesus, “the more perfect tent [skēnē}” will permantly replace any need for an earthly Temple.

I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life. – Revelation 21:22-27 NLT

Jesus, the light of the world, will become the light of all eternity. The living temple will make access to God available to all, with no further need for repentance, redemption, or reconciliation with God.

And all who enjoy eternal life in the New Jerusalem will sing the song written by the son of Korah.

The people will play flutes and sing,
    “The source of my life springs from Jerusalem!” – Psalm 87:7 ESV

Father, the Temple no longer exists but that is not a problem for you. You have never needed a physical house in which to live. Yet You sent Your Son to take on an “earthly tent” and live among us so that He might die on behalf of us. He sacrificed that “tabernacle” so that You might restore it and provide a means for our future resurrection and glorification. Thank You for sending Jesus as Your earthly dwelling place and making access to Your presence possible. Amen

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Enter His Courts With Thanksgiving

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To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.

1 How lovely is your dwelling place,
    O LORD of hosts!
2 My soul longs, yes, faints
    for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and flesh sing for joy
    to the living God.

3 Even the sparrow finds a home,
    and the swallow a nest for herself,
    where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O LORD of hosts,
    my King and my God.
4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house,
    ever singing your praise! Selah

5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
    in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
6 As they go through the Valley of Baca
    they make it a place of springs;
    the early rain also covers it with pools.
7 They go from strength to strength;
    each one appears before God in Zion.

8 O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer;
    give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah
9 Behold our shield, O God;
    look on the face of your anointed!

10 For a day in your courts is better
    than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
    than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
    the LORD bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does he withhold
    from those who walk uprightly.
12 O LORD of hosts,
    blessed is the one who trusts in you! – Psalm 84:1-12 ESV

This psalm was written by the sons of Korah. The significance of this fact will mean little to the contemporary reader without further investigation into Korah’s dark history. The Book of Numbers records the sordid details surrounding his role in an uprising against the leadership of Moses and Aaron during Israel’s journey from Egypt to Canaan.

One day Korah son of Izhar, a descendant of Kohath son of Levi, conspired with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth, from the tribe of Reuben. They incited a rebellion against Moses, along with 250 other leaders of the community, all prominent members of the assembly. They united against Moses and Aaron and said, “You have gone too far! The whole community of Israel has been set apart by the Lord, and he is with all of us. What right do you have to act as though you are greater than the rest of the Lord’s people?” – Deuteronomy 16:1-3 NLT

Korah was a grandson of Kohath, one of the three sons of Levi. God had appointed the tribe of Levi to serve as assistants to the priestly line of Aaron.

“Call forward the tribe of Levi, and present them to Aaron the priest to serve as his assistants. They will serve Aaron and the whole community, performing their sacred duties in and around the Tabernacle. They will also maintain all the furnishings of the sacred tent, serving in the Tabernacle on behalf of all the Israelites. Assign the Levites to Aaron and his sons. They have been given from among all the people of Israel to serve as their assistants. Appoint Aaron and his sons to carry out the duties of the priesthood. But any unauthorized person who goes too near the sanctuary must be put to death.” – Numbers 3:6-10 NLT

According to the Book of Numbers, the Kohathites were responsible for transporting the various pieces of the Tabernacle whenever the Israelites broke camp.

“The Kohathites will come and carry these things to the next destination. But they must not touch the sacred objects, or they will die. So these are the things from the Tabernacle that the Kohathites must carry.” – Numbers 4:15 NLT

God gave further instructions to Moses and Aaron to ensure that the Kohathites carried out their responsibilities faithfully and in keeping with His commands.

“Do not let the Kohathite clans be destroyed from among the Levites! This is what you must do so they will live and not die when they approach the most sacred objects. Aaron and his sons must always go in with them and assign a specific duty or load to each person. The Kohathites must never enter the sanctuary to look at the sacred objects for even a moment, or they will die.” – Numbers 4:18-20 NLT

But somewhere along the way, Korah became disenchanted with what he believed to be the subservient role assigned to his clan. Because they were not sons of Aaron, they were forbidden from serving as priests. They weren’t even allowed to enter the Tabernacle or look at the holy objects. Their sole responsibility was to transport the ark, the table of showbread, the golden lamp stand, the altars, and the curtains from one location to another. But Korah suffered from delusions of grandeur and became jealous of the more prominent roles of Moses, Aaron, and his sons. Having aligned himself with a group of malcontents, Korah grew increasingly more frustrated and eventually led a coup to disrupt the leadership model God had given the people of Israel. Moses was forced to confront Korah for his actions.

“Korah, he [God] has already given this special ministry to you and your fellow Levites. Are you now demanding the priesthood as well? The Lord is the one you and your followers are really revolting against! For who is Aaron that you are complaining about him?” – Numbers 16:10-11 NLT

But Korah and his 250 companions were unwilling to listen to Moses’ call for repentance. Instead, they stood their ground and forced God to step in and pass judgment on their actions.

The earth opened its mouth and swallowed the men, along with their households and all their followers who were standing with them, and everything they owned. So they went down alive into the grave, along with all their belongings. The earth closed over them, and they all vanished from among the people of Israel. – Numbers 16:32-33 NLT

God punished Korah and his companions for their rebellion,  but the Book of Numbers reveals that God graciously spared some of the sons of Korah.

This Dathan and Abiram are the same community leaders who conspired with Korah against Moses and Aaron, rebelling against the Lord. But the earth opened up its mouth and swallowed them with Korah, and fire devoured 250 of their followers. This served as a warning to the entire nation of Israel. However, the sons of Korah did not die that day. – Numbers 26:9-11 NLT

This is what makes the content of Psalm 84 so significant. These undeserving survivors of God’s judgment are expressing gratitude for the privilege of being able to enter the courtyard of God’s sanctuary. They are no longer complaining about their diminished role or inability to serve as priests. In fact, because the Tabernacle had been replaced by the Temple, they no longer had the responsibility of carrying its sacred items from one location to another. The Temple was a permanent structure, and so their role had been changed to that of doorkeepers and musicians.

This psalm reflects a remarkable change in attitude among the sons of Korah. Unlike their disgruntled ancestor, they are fully content with being able to enter the courtyard of the Sanctuary. The restrictions on their entering the holy places were still intact, yet they were satisfied with being able to worship Yahweh from the courtyard.

How lovely is your dwelling place,
    O Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
I long, yes, I faint with longing
    to enter the courts of the Lord.
With my whole being, body and soul,
    I will shout joyfully to the living God. – Psalm 84:1-2 NLT

The author marvels that sparrows can build nests in the courtyard’s recesses and enjoy God’s presence and protection. These common birds were welcome in God’s house and need not fear rejection. The psalmist expresses his deep joy at being accepted into God’s presence.

Blessed are those who dwell in your house,
    ever singing your praise! Selah

Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
    in whose heart are the highways to Zion. – Psalm 84:4-5 NLT

O LORD of hosts,
    blessed is the one who trusts in you! – Psalm 84:12 NLT

There is no hint of jealousy or dissatisfaction in his words. He is content to serve in whatever capacity God ordains, as long as he can enter the courtyard and enjoy the abiding presence of Yahweh. Overwhelmed by the grace and mercy of God, he pens one of the most well-known phrases in all of Scripture.

For a day in your courts is better
    than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
    than dwell in the tents of wickedness. – Psalm 84:10 ESV

What a remarkable contrast to the words spoken by his disgruntled ancestor. This son of Korah is no longer wrestling with dissatisfaction and jealousy. He isn’t battling discontentment or disillusionment with his lot in life. Instead, he is rejoicing in his undeserved privilege of entering God’s house and enjoying all the blessings it affords.

The psalmist even considers the annual pilgrimages the Israelites were required to make to the Temple in Jerusalem. These could have been long and arduous journeys that required sacrifice and suffering on the part of the pilgrims. But the psalmist paints a more positive picture by reminding his readers that the destiny will be well worth the journey.

What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord,
    who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
When they walk through the Valley of Weeping,
    it will become a place of refreshing springs.
    The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings.
They will continue to grow stronger,
    and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem. – Psalm 84:5-7 NLT

Korah had grown discontented and dissatisfied with his God-ordained role. Rather than rejoice in the privilege provided to him by God, Korah allowed jealousy and envy to infect his heart and influence his decision-making. He coveted Moses’ leadership role. He saw the priesthood as a more enviable and prestigious position that would garner him praise and equip him with power. But he completely overlooked the joy of serving God in humility and gladness. As a result, he suffered an ignominious death and had his rebellion recorded in God’s Word as a powerful warning to others.

At least one of his sons learned a valuable lesson from Korah’s mistake. His gratitude for God’s grace and mercy has been recorded for posterity, providing a powerful reminder that the pursuit of personal glory is no match for recognizing the blessing of living in God’s presence.

Father, the history of Korah is painful to read, but it makes this psalm make sense. Korah’s actions were based on jealousy and dissatisfaction. He wasn’t content with serving You. He wanted more. His focus on himself and his frustration stemmed from a relentless need to feel more important and recognized for his accomplishments. How easy it is to let dissatisfaction infect my life and think that I am not getting all I deserve. Lke Korah’s son, I want to find joy in the privilege of entering Your presence. I am welcome in Your House, not because of who I am and anything I have done, but simply because of the finished work of Christ. May I always be satisfied with the marvelous reality that I can enter Your presence at any time, not based on my title or accomplishments but because of Christ. Amen

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Worthy of Our Praise

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1 David and the chiefs of the service also set apart for the service the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who prophesied with lyres, with harps, and with cymbals. The list of those who did the work and of their duties was: 2 Of the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asharelah, sons of Asaph, under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the direction of the king. 3 Of Jeduthun, the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the direction of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with the lyre in thanksgiving and praise to the Lord. 4 Of Heman, the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel and Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, and Romamti-ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, Mahazioth. 5 All these were the sons of Heman the king’s seer, according to the promise of God to exalt him, for God had given Heman fourteen sons and three daughters. 6 They were all under the direction of their father in the music in the house of the Lord with cymbals, harps, and lyres for the service of the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under the order of the king. 7 The number of them along with their brothers, who were trained in singing to the Lord, all who were skillful, was 288. 8 And they cast lots for their duties, small and great, teacher and pupil alike.

9 The first lot fell for Asaph to Joseph; the second to Gedaliah, to him and his brothers and his sons, twelve; 10 the third to Zaccur, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 11 the fourth to Izri, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 12 the fifth to Nethaniah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 13 the sixth to Bukkiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 14 the seventh to Jesharelah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 15 the eighth to Jeshaiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 16 the ninth to Mattaniah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 17 the tenth to Shimei, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 18 the eleventh to Azarel, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 19 the twelfth to Hashabiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 20 to the thirteenth, Shubael, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 21 to the fourteenth, Mattithiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 22 to the fifteenth, to Jeremoth, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 23 to the sixteenth, to Hananiah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 24 to the seventeenth, to Joshbekashah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 25 to the eighteenth, to Hanani, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 26 to the nineteenth, to Mallothi, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 27 to the twentieth, to Eliathah, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 28 to the twenty-first, to Hothir, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 29 to the twenty-second, to Giddalti, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 30 to the twenty-third, to Mahazioth, his sons and his brothers, twelve; 31 to the twenty-fourth, to Romamti-ezer, his sons and his brothers, twelve. – 1 Chronicles 25:1-31 ESV

David had a strong attention to detail. In his effort to make preparations for the future Temple, he left no matter unattended, carefully covering all his bases so that everything about the house of God was taken care of. As this chapter reveals, he even included the appointment of men who would ensure that the worship of God was accompanied by music. This was not a feature of the Tabernacle and does not seem to have been ordained by God but David, who was a musician himself, understood the power of musical instruments to enhance one’s worship of God.

This was not music for music’s sake but was intended to accompany those who prophesied in the name of the Lord.

David …appointed men from the families of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to proclaim God’s messages to the accompaniment of lyres, harps, and cymbals. – 1 Chronicles 25:1 NLT

David appointed various men “who proclaimed God’s messages by the king’s orders” (1 Chronicles 25:2 NLT). This included Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman, who was the king’s seer. As these men prophesied, they were to be accompanied by their sons who provided “music in the house of the Lord with cymbals, harps, and lyres for the service of the house of God” (1 Chronicles 25:6 ESV). Those who were chosen for this special service were accomplished musicians.

They and their families were all trained in making music before the Lord, and each of them—288 in all—was an accomplished musician. – 1 Chronicles 25:7 NLT

The Temple David had dreamed of building would be more than just a place to offer sacrifices; it would feature the perpetual worship of God. He would be the solitary focus within its walls 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The men listed in this chapter were worship leaders responsible for speaking the truth of God set to music. In essence, they formed a temple choir to praise God through music and song.  Music, always near and dear to David’s heart, would play a significant role in the new Temple that Solomon would construct.

The Temple is most often associated with the sacrificial system and the Holy of Holies, that innermost room where the presence of God dwelt above the Mercy Seat. But as this passage indicates, there was so much more to Temple worship than animal sacrifices. The building was an incredible sight to behold with its magnificent gold overlays, tapestries, pillars, and ornate furnishings. But it was to be a feast for the ears as much as it was for the eyes. Music would fill the structure through the artful blending of musical instruments and human voices, and the music was to accompany the prophesying of God’s truth.

Visiting the completed Temple would have been a sensory overload – filled with sights and sounds designed to praise and bring glory to God. He was the focus. Walking into the temple would have left little doubt that God was the center of attention. The sacrifices were for Him, but so was the music. The entire structure was designed with Him in mind.

Consider the difference between then and now. Today, so much of what takes place within the typical “house of God” is about the worshipers and not the One being worshiped. Our churches are built with our comfort in mind and intended to accommodate our needs. In many ways, even the music is designed to entertain and encourage us. The sermons are written and delivered for our benefit. Rather than lifting up the name of God and celebrating the Word of God, many messages delivered from pulpits across our country have become little more than positive motivational speeches or Ted Talks filled with tips on living a better life. While the buildings themselves may be impressive architecturally, they do little to lift up and glorify God. Sadly to say, they have become man-centered, rather than God-honoring.

Yet David was not interested in building a place where men could feel encouraged and entertained. He wanted to create a house suitable for his God, where everything pointed to the glory and majesty of God. It was to be magnificent in every detail because David’s God was transcendent and majestic. From the smallest brick laid to the highest note played, everything about the Temple was to be about God because He alone was worthy.

Psalm 150 declares the purpose behind David’s efforts to equip God’s house with a living sound system that would fill its corridors and rooms with music and messages that reflect God’s truth and worthiness.

Praise him with a blast of the ram’s horn;
    praise him with the lyre and harp!
Praise him with the tambourine and dancing;
    praise him with strings and flutes!
Praise him with a clash of cymbals;
    praise him with loud clanging cymbals.
Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord!

Praise the Lord! – Psalm 150:3-6 NLT

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

All for the Glory of God

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1 The divisions of the sons of Aaron were these. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 2 But Nadab and Abihu died before their father and had no children, so Eleazar and Ithamar became the priests. 3 With the help of Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, David organized them according to the appointed duties in their service. 4 Since more chief men were found among the sons of Eleazar than among the sons of Ithamar, they organized them under sixteen heads of fathers’ houses of the sons of Eleazar, and eight of the sons of Ithamar. 5 They divided them by lot, all alike, for there were sacred officers and officers of God among both the sons of Eleazar and the sons of Ithamar. 6 And the scribe Shemaiah, the son of Nethanel, a Levite, recorded them in the presence of the king and the princes and Zadok the priest and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar and the heads of the fathers’ houses of the priests and of the Levites, one father’s house being chosen for Eleazar and one chosen for Ithamar.

7 The first lot fell to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah, 8 the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim, 9 the fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin, 10 the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah, 11 the ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah, 12 the eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim, 13 the thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab, 14 the fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer, 15 the seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Happizzez, 16 the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezkel, 17 the twenty-first to Jachin, the twenty-second to Gamul, 18 the twenty-third to Delaiah, the twenty-fourth to Maaziah. 19 These had as their appointed duty in their service to come into the house of the Lord according to the procedure established for them by Aaron their father, as the Lord God of Israel had commanded him.

20 And of the rest of the sons of Levi: of the sons of Amram, Shubael; of the sons of Shubael, Jehdeiah. 21 Of Rehabiah: of the sons of Rehabiah, Isshiah the chief. 22 Of the Izharites, Shelomoth; of the sons of Shelomoth, Jahath. 23 The sons of Hebron: Jeriah the chief, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, Jekameam the fourth. 24 The sons of Uzziel, Micah; of the sons of Micah, Shamir. 25 The brother of Micah, Isshiah; of the sons of Isshiah, Zechariah. 26 The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Jaaziah: Beno. 27 The sons of Merari: of Jaaziah, Beno, Shoham, Zaccur, and Ibri. 28 Of Mahli: Eleazar, who had no sons. 29 Of Kish, the sons of Kish: Jerahmeel. 30 The sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the sons of the Levites according to their fathers’ houses. 31 These also, the head of each father’s house and his younger brother alike, cast lots, just as their brothers the sons of Aaron, in the presence of King David, Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of fathers’ houses of the priests and of the Levites. – 1 Chronicles 24:1-31 ESV

It is amazing to consider the amount of time, energy, and thoughtful consideration David put into the preparations for a building he would never see. As David entered the twilight of his life, he did not embrace a retirement mentality but worked feverishly to ensure that his son Solomon was set up for success. David was determined to leave behind a solidified and secure kingdom that was both financially and politically stable. He had fought long and hard against Israel’s enemies so that the nation was entering a season of relative peace and prosperity. But, for David, that was not enough. As his time on earth ran out, he made the most of every moment to secure all the funding and materials so that the magnificent Temple he had hoped to build would be brought to fruition by his son Solomon.

As important as the building itself was to David, he knew it would remain incomplete and inoperative without the Levites to oversee its operation. He knew that God had ordained the tribe as Levi to serve as caretakers of the Tabernacle and overseers of the sacrificial system. Without their support and participation, the Tabernacle would be nothing more than an elaborately built, ornately decorated, and completely empty warehouse. It would be a marvel to behold but would lack the one thing that would truly set it apart from every other temple in the world: The presence of God.

In this chapter, the chronicler records David’s efforts to reorganize the Levitical priesthood so that there were enough priests to serve at both the Tabernacle in Gibeon and the Temple in Jerusalem. The previous chapter outlined David’s plans to expand the number of Levites from the clans of Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. These men were to serve as assistants to the Levitical priests, who were all descendants of the original high priest, Aaron. To ensure that there would be enough Levites to care for both the Temple and the Tabernacle, David lowered the age of requirement for service from 30 to 20. The Gershonites, Kohathites, and Merarites had very specific responsibilities.

In accordance with David’s final instructions, all the Levites twenty years old or older were registered for service. The work of the Levites was to assist the priests, the descendants of Aaron, as they served at the house of the Lord. They also took care of the courtyards and side rooms, helped perform the ceremonies of purification, and served in many other ways in the house of God. They were in charge of the sacred bread that was set out on the table, the choice flour for the grain offerings, the wafers made without yeast, the cakes cooked in olive oil, and the other mixed breads. They were also responsible to check all the weights and measures. And each morning and evening they stood before the Lord to sing songs of thanks and praise to him. They assisted with the burnt offerings that were presented to the Lord on Sabbath days, at new moon celebrations, and at all the appointed festivals. The required number of Levites served in the Lord’s presence at all times, following all the procedures they had been given. – 1 Chronicles 23:27-31 NLT

But the descendants of Aaron would serve in the most vital capacity. They alone were ordained by God to serve as priests and offer sacrifices on behalf of the people. The Book of Exodus records God’s commissioning of Aaron and his sons for service in the Tabernacle.

“I will meet the people of Israel there, in the place made holy by my glorious presence. Yes, I will consecrate the Tabernacle and the altar, and I will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests. Then I will live among the people of Israel and be their God, and they will know that I am the Lord their God. I am the one who brought them out of the land of Egypt so that I could live among them. I am the Lord their God.” – Exodus 29:43-46 NLT

Chapter 24 of 1 Chronicles opens with a rather foreboding statement.

This is how Aaron’s descendants, the priests, were divided into groups for service. The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and they had no sons. So only Eleazar and Ithamar were left to carry on as priests. – 1 Chronicles 24:1-2 NLT

This story would have been familiar to his audience. Even though they had spent the last 70 years as captives in Babylon, they would have known the fate of Nadab and Abihu.

Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu put coals of fire in their incense burners and sprinkled incense over them. In this way, they disobeyed the Lord by burning before him the wrong kind of fire, different than he had commanded. So fire blazed forth from the Lord’s presence and burned them up, and they died there before the Lord. – Leviticus 10:1-2 NLT

Immediately after the dedication of the newly constructed Tabernacle and the elaborate commissioning ceremony to purify the structure and the priests who would serve in it, Nadab and Abihu decided to do things their way. They offered unauthorized sacrifices that violated the commands of God. When God had destroyed them with fire, Moses told their father Aaron, “This is what the Lord meant when he said, ‘I will display my holiness through those who come near me. I will display my glory before all the people’” (Leviticus 10:3 NLT).

Nadab and Abihu were quickly replaced as priests by their brothers, Eleazar and Ithamar. It was from the descendants of these two men that David recruited additional priests to serve within the future Temple.

With the help of Zadok, who was a descendant of Eleazar, and of Ahimelech, who was a descendant of Ithamar, David divided Aaron’s descendants into groups according to their various duties. Eleazar’s descendants were divided into sixteen groups and Ithamar’s into eight, for there were more family leaders among the descendants of Eleazar. – 1 Chronicles 24:3-4 NLT

All of this detailed recounting of David’s preparations for the future Temple can come across as unnecessary and uninteresting to the modern reader. But for the newly returned exiles, it served as a much-needed reminder of the Temple’s role in the lives of the people of Israel. David had spared no expense for its construction and had gone out of his way to ensure that it was properly staffed by qualified Levites.

Having returned from the extended stay in Babylon, the remnant of Israelites had restored the walls of Jerusalem and rebuilt the Temple that the Babylonians had destroyed. The new structure was far from spectacular and lacked the opulence of the original Temple constructed by Solomon. But even in its less-than-ideal state, it remained the house of God and was to be treated with the utmost dignity and honor. The Israelites were expected to maintain every law God had given regarding its care and the observance of the sacrificial system that would take place within its walls. This story would have served as a powerful reminder that the Levites were the only authorized agents to serve as God’s mediators and messengers. There were to be no shortcuts taken or alterations made to God’s plan. Nadab and Abihu had chosen to do things their own way and suffered the consequences.

David had painstakingly prepared for the Temple’s construction so his son could successfully oversee its transformation from dream to reality. He also ensured that the future Temple would be properly manned by those men whom God had set aside for its care. His devotion to God can be seen in his determination to create a house fit for God’s glorious presence and properly staffed by those who could assist in the shepherding of God’s people. David would never live to see the Temple, but he did everything in his power to ensure that it would be built and glorify his gracious and loving God.

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

No Stone Left Unturned

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1 When David was old and full of days, he made Solomon his son king over Israel.

2 David assembled all the leaders of Israel and the priests and the Levites. 3 The Levites, thirty years old and upward, were numbered, and the total was 38,000 men. 4 “Twenty-four thousand of these,” David said, “shall have charge of the work in the house of the Lord, 6,000 shall be officers and judges, 5 4,000 gatekeepers, and 4,000 shall offer praises to the Lord with the instruments that I have made for praise.” 6 And David organized them in divisions corresponding to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

7 The sons of Gershon were Ladan and Shimei. 8 The sons of Ladan: Jehiel the chief, and Zetham, and Joel, three. 9 The sons of Shimei: Shelomoth, Haziel, and Haran, three. These were the heads of the fathers’ houses of Ladan. 10 And the sons of Shimei: Jahath, Zina, and Jeush and Beriah. These four were the sons of Shimei. 11 Jahath was the chief, and Zizah the second; but Jeush and Beriah did not have many sons, therefore they became counted as a single father’s house.

12 The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, four. 13 The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. Aaron was set apart to dedicate the most holy things, that he and his sons forever should make offerings before the Lord and minister to him and pronounce blessings in his name forever. 14 But the sons of Moses the man of God were named among the tribe of Levi. 15 The sons of Moses: Gershom and Eliezer. 16 The sons of Gershom: Shebuel the chief. 17 The sons of Eliezer: Rehabiah the chief. Eliezer had no other sons, but the sons of Rehabiah were very many. 18 The sons of Izhar: Shelomith the chief. 19 The sons of Hebron: Jeriah the chief, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth. 20 The sons of Uzziel: Micah the chief and Isshiah the second.

21 The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish. 22 Eleazar died having no sons, but only daughters; their kinsmen, the sons of Kish, married them. 23 The sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder, and Jeremoth, three.

24 These were the sons of Levi by their fathers’ houses, the heads of fathers’ houses as they were listed according to the number of the names of the individuals from twenty years old and upward who were to do the work for the service of the house of the Lord. 25 For David said, “The Lord, the God of Israel, has given rest to his people, and he dwells in Jerusalem forever. 26 And so the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle or any of the things for its service.” 27 For by the last words of David the sons of Levi were numbered from twenty years old and upward. 28 For their duty was to assist the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the Lord, having the care of the courts and the chambers, the cleansing of all that is holy, and any work for the service of the house of God. 29 Their duty was also to assist with the showbread, the flour for the grain offering, the wafers of unleavened bread, the baked offering, the offering mixed with oil, and all measures of quantity or size. 30 And they were to stand every morning, thanking and praising the Lord, and likewise at evening, 31 and whenever burnt offerings were offered to the Lord on Sabbaths, new moons, and feast days, according to the number required of them, regularly before the Lord. 32 Thus they were to keep charge of the tent of meeting and the sanctuary, and to attend the sons of Aaron, their brothers, for the service of the house of the Lord. – 1 Chronicles 23:1-32 ESV

This chapter continues to record David’s preparations for Solomon’s ascension to the throne as well as the future construction and care of the Temple his son would build. David has grown old and knows that his days are numbered, so he is making the most of his remaining time as king to prepare the way for his son’s reign. But the transfer of power would not be as simple and trouble-free as verse 1 seems to indicate. The opening verse of this chapter severely truncates the story of Solomon’s ascension to the throne. In a single verse, the chronicler records the transfer of power from David to Solomon, while the author of the Book of First Kings takes two chapters to cover this same event. According to 1 Kings 1, there was an internal struggle over who would replace David as king.

David had a son named Adonijah who was officially the second-oldest of all his sons. When David’s firstborn son, Absalom, staged a coup and took over the kingdom, he was eventually killed by Joab, David’s military commander. His death paved the way for Adonijah to become the logical heir to David’s kingdom. But God had other plans. It seems that Adonijah had copied a page out of Absalom’s playbook and attempted to stage a coup. This young man mirrored the actions of his older step-brother and tried to establish himself as the next king of Israel.

About that time David’s son Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, began boasting, “I will make myself king.” So he provided himself with chariots and charioteers and recruited fifty men to run in front of him. Now his father, King David, had never disciplined him at any time, even by asking, “Why are you doing that?” Adonijah had been born next after Absalom, and he was very handsome.– 1 Kings 1:5-6 NLT

Adonijah was a spoiled and compulsive young man who felt he rightfully deserved to be the heir to David’s throne. But God had ordained that Solomon would be the next king of Israel. He had clearly communicated this message to David.

“…you will have a son who will be a man of peace. I will give him peace with his enemies in all the surrounding lands. His name will be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel during his reign. He is the one who will build a Temple to honor my name. He will be my son, and I will be his father. And I will secure the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’” – 1 Chronicles 22:9-10 NLT

At some point, David shared this news with Solomon’s mother, Bathsheba. When she received news that Adonijah had declared himself to be the next king of Israel, she confronted David.

“My lord, you made a vow before the Lord your God when you said to me, ‘Your son Solomon will surely be the next king and will sit on my throne.’ But instead, Adonijah has made himself king, and my lord the king does not even know about it.” – 1 Kings 1:17-18 NLT

The elderly David was completely oblivious to what was going on in his own family. He was unaware of his son’s coup attempt and the risk it posed to all his plans for Solomon and the future Temple. But God intervened and used Solomon’s distraught mother to bring this matter to David’s attention. Even Nathan the prophet got into the act, asking David if he had sanctioned Adonijan’s claim to the throne. This entire scenario happened virtually overnight, leaving David’s plans for Solomon and the future Temple in a state of confusion. He was forced to act quickly and put the matter of his successor to rest. He assured Bathsheba that her son was the designated heir to the throne.

“As surely as the Lord lives, who has rescued me from every danger, your son Solomon will be the next king and will sit on my throne this very day, just as I vowed to you before the Lord, the God of Israel.” – 1 Kings 1:29-30 NLT

David wasted no time, ordering a hastily prepared coronation service for Solomon. Normally, this event would have taken place after David’s death, but Adonijah’s actions necessitated a change in plans.

So Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and the king’s bodyguard took Solomon down to Gihon Spring, with Solomon riding on King David’s own mule. There Zadok the priest took the flask of olive oil from the sacred tent and anointed Solomon with the oil. Then they sounded the ram’s horn and all the people shouted, “Long live King Solomon!” – 1 Kings 1:38-39 NLT

Solomon would serve as David’s co-regent until his death. By anointing Solomon as his official replacement and allowing him the privilege of sitting on the throne of Israel, David had ended any and all speculation regarding the next king of Israel. He had also ensured that Solomon would be in place and prepared to carry out the construction of the Temple.

So Solomon took the throne of the Lord in place of his father, David, and he succeeded in everything, and all Israel obeyed him. All the officials, the warriors, and the sons of King David pledged their loyalty to King Solomon. And the Lord exalted Solomon in the sight of all Israel, and he gave Solomon greater royal splendor than any king in Israel before him.– 1 Chronicles 29:23-25 NLT

But before David died, he had one last mission to accomplish, and that is what the rest of chapter 23 covers. Knowing that Solomon was still a young man and that the construction of the Temple was going to be a massive undertaking, David had gathered all the materials necessary to make it happen.

“My son Solomon, whom God has clearly chosen as the next king of Israel, is still young and inexperienced. The work ahead of him is enormous, for the Temple he will build is not for mere mortals—it is for the Lord God himself! Using every resource at my command, I have gathered as much as I could for building the Temple of my God. Now there is enough gold, silver, bronze, iron, and wood, as well as great quantities of onyx, other precious stones, costly jewels, and all kinds of fine stone and marble.” – 1 Chronicles 29:1-2 NLT

But David knew that a well-crafted and finely appointed building would not be enough. The house of God would require oversight by the priests of God. At this point in time, the Tabernacle was still in operation in Gibeon and under the care of the Levitical priesthood. But when the Temple was completed in Jerusalem, the entire sacrificial system would need to be transferred to this new location. For this to happen, David appointed a second team of Levitical priests to serve at the Temple complex.

“From all the Levites, 24,000 will supervise the work at the Temple of the Lord. Another 6,000 will serve as officials and judges. Another 4,000 will work as gatekeepers, and 4,000 will praise the Lord with the musical instruments I have made.”– 1 Chronicles 23:4-5 NLT

David had always intended the Temple to be the new dwelling place of God on earth. It was to replace the Tabernacle and serve as the primary place of worship and sacrifice for the people of Israel. The design of the Temple mirrored that of the Tabernacle but on a much grander scale. David knew that this new house of God would need to be holy and set apart just as the Tabernacle was. It would require the oversight and care of the Levites, the tribe that God had set apart for this duty. In all his preparations, David painstakingly adhered to the Mosaic law, ensuring that every detail of the Temple was in keeping with God’s commands.

Like Moses before him, David made sure that each of the clans of Levi was assigned duties that reflected their God-ordained roles. The Gershonites, Kohathites, and Merarites were each given duties to perform in the future Temple. In a sense, David created two teams of Levites to care for the two sacred houses of God.

And so, under the supervision of the priests, the Levites watched over the Tabernacle and the Temple and faithfully carried out their duties of service at the house of the Lord. – 1 Chronicles 23:32 NLT

During the construction phase of the Temple, both sanctuaries would require oversight by the Levites. However, once the Temple was complete, the primary emphasis would shift to the new location in Jerusalem. Before his death, David designated Solomon to be his co-regent and the future king of Israel. But he also reorganized the Levites so that they could adequately care for the Tabernacle and the Temple. He left nothing to chance. Every detail was covered and every contingency was considered. With all the planning for the Temple completed and the future reign of Solomon firmly established, David would rest easy and live out the remaining days of his life with the assurance that his legacy would continue and his dream of building a house for God would come to fruition.

“The Lord, the God of Israel, has given us peace, and he will always live in Jerusalem. Now the Levites will no longer need to carry the Tabernacle and its furnishings from place to place.” In accordance with David’s final instructions, all the Levites twenty years old or older were registered for service. – 1 Chronicles 23:25-27 NLT

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

The Petty Plans of Man

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37 So David left Asaph and his brothers there before the ark of the covenant of the Lord to minister regularly before the ark as each day required, 38 and also Obed-edom and his sixty-eight brothers, while Obed-edom, the son of Jeduthun, and Hosah were to be gatekeepers. 39 And he left Zadok the priest and his brothers the priests before the tabernacle of the Lord in the high place that was at Gibeon 40 to offer burnt offerings to the Lord on the altar of burnt offering regularly morning and evening, to do all that is written in the Law of the Lord that he commanded Israel. 41 With them were Heman and Jeduthun and the rest of those chosen and expressly named to give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever. 42 Heman and Jeduthun had trumpets and cymbals for the music and instruments for sacred song. The sons of Jeduthun were appointed to the gate.

43 Then all the people departed each to his house, and David went home to bless his household.

1 Now when David lived in his house, David said to Nathan the prophet, “Behold, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under a tent.” 2 And Nathan said to David, “Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you.”

4 But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, 5 “Go and tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: Would you build me a house to dwell in? 6 I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent for my dwelling. 7 In all places where I have moved with all the people of Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’” – 1 Chronicles 16:37-17:7 ESV

The day of celebration and sacrifice came to an end with the Ark of the Covenant safely ensconced in its new home within the walls of the city of Jerusalem. This entire scenario raises some interesting questions regarding David’s actions. Why did he remove the Ark of the Covenant from its place within the Holy of Holies within the Tabernacle at Gibeon? Had God instructed him to do so? What did he hope to gain from separating the ark from the Tabernacle and the other sacred furnishings that were instrumental in the sacrificial system God had established?

When David moved the ark into Jerusalem, he placed it within a tent he had erected (1 Chronicles 16:1), but God had ordained that the ark be kept within the Holy of Holies.

“For the inside of the Tabernacle, make a special curtain of finely woven linen. Decorate it with blue, purple, and scarlet thread and with skillfully embroidered cherubim. Hang this curtain on gold hooks attached to four posts of acacia wood. Overlay the posts with gold, and set them in four silver bases. Hang the inner curtain from clasps, and put the Ark of the Covenant in the room behind it. This curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.

“Then put the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement—on top of the Ark of the Covenant inside the Most Holy Place.” – Exodus 26:31-34 NLT

The entire Tabernacle complex was designed as a holistic, interdependent structure in which every piece of furniture and architectural element served a purpose. Elaborately designed and painstakingly constructed, the Tabernacle served as the central worship center for the people of Israel. It was there that they gathered once a year on the Day of Atonement so that the high priest could offer the prescribed sacrifices that purify the people of their sins and restore them to a right relationship with God.

“Aaron will present his own bull as a sin offering to purify himself and his family, making them right with the Lord. After he has slaughtered the bull as a sin offering, he will fill an incense burner with burning coals from the altar that stands before the Lord. Then he will take two handfuls of fragrant powdered incense and will carry the burner and the incense behind the inner curtain. There in the Lord’s presence he will put the incense on the burning coals so that a cloud of incense will rise over the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement—that rests on the Ark of the Covenant. If he follows these instructions, he will not die. Then he must take some of the blood of the bull, dip his finger in it, and sprinkle it on the east side of the atonement cover. He must sprinkle blood seven times with his finger in front of the atonement cover.

“Then Aaron must slaughter the first goat as a sin offering for the people and carry its blood behind the inner curtain. There he will sprinkle the goat’s blood over the atonement cover and in front of it, just as he did with the bull’s blood. Through this process, he will purify the Most Holy Place, and he will do the same for the entire Tabernacle, because of the defiling sin and rebellion of the Israelites. No one else is allowed inside the Tabernacle when Aaron enters it for the purification ceremony in the Most Holy Place. No one may enter until he comes out again after purifying himself, his family, and all the congregation of Israel, making them right with the Lord.” – Leviticus 16:11-17 NLT

For this sanctifying ceremony to take place, the ark needed to be in close proximity to the bronze altar and the rest of the furnishings of the Tabernacle. By removing the ark from its place within the Holy of Holies, David complicated the process of atonement for the people. As the annual Day of Atonement approached, was his plan to move the ark back to the Tabernacle in Gibeon? Did he somehow expect the high priest to offer the atoning sacrifices in Gibeon and then transport the blood of the animals to Jerusalem where he could sprinkle it on the ark? None of these details are provided in the narrative but we do know that David had plans for the ark as long as it remained in Jerusalem, and it would appear that those plans were permanent in nature.

David arranged for Asaph and his fellow Levites to serve regularly before the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant, doing whatever needed to be done each day. – 1 Chronicles 16:37 NLT

David established a permanent team of Levitical priests to care for the ark and to offer regular sacrifices within the new temporary “tabernacle” he had established in Jerusalem. David didn’t attempt to abandon or replace the Tabernacle in Gibeon, but instead, he established another set of priests to maintain the various daily sacrifices ordained by God.

David stationed Zadok the priest and his fellow priests at the Tabernacle of the Lord at the place of worship in Gibeon, where they continued to minister before the Lord. They sacrificed the regular burnt offerings to the Lord each morning and evening on the altar set aside for that purpose, obeying everything written in the Law of the Lord, as he had commanded Israel. – 1 Chronicles 16;39-40 NLT

The chronicler doesn’t reveal how long this bifurcated arrangement was in place, but he does state that David soon realized the need for a permanent structure to replace the Tabernacle in Gibeon. David began dreaming of a day when he could build a temple worthy of his God.

When David was settled in his palace, he summoned Nathan the prophet. “Look,” David said, “I am living in a beautiful cedar palace, but the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant is out there under a tent!” – 1 Chronicles 17:1 NLT

Chapter 15 opens with the report that “David built houses for himself in the city of David. And he prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it” (1 Chronicles 15:1 NLT). One of those “houses” was “a beautiful cedar palace” that was made possible through the generosity of a neighboring king.

Then King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar timber, and stonemasons and carpenters to build him a palace. – 1 Chronicles 14:1 NLT

But as David enjoyed the splendor of his new, cost-free palace, he realized that the ark was still housed in a far-from-luxurious structure made of animal skins. David was living in regal splendor while the Ark of the Covenant, upon which the shekinah glory of God was supposed to reside, was relegated to a bedouin tent.

Burdened by the disparity between his housing and that of God, David came up with a plan to rectify the problem. When he ran his idea by Nathan, the prophet gave his hearty seal of approval.

“Do whatever you have in mind, for God is with you.” – 1 Chronicles 17:2 NLT

It seems that Nathan spoke too soon. He obviously didn’t check with God before giving his response to David because, that night, he received a message from the Lord that revealed a completely different plan.

“Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord has declared: You are not the one to build a house for me to live in. I have never lived in a house, from the day I brought the Israelites out of Egypt until this very day. My home has always been a tent, moving from one place to another in a Tabernacle. Yet no matter where I have gone with the Israelites, I have never once complained to Israel’s leaders, the shepherds of my people. I have never asked them, “Why haven’t you built me a beautiful cedar house?”’” – 1 Chronicles 17:4-6 NLT

David’s heart was in the right place, but he was operating outside the will of God. He had not approached Nathan the prophet in the hopes of getting a word from the Lord. He had already made a decision and was only seeking the prophet’s approval. But as God makes clear, He had not asked David to build Him a house. In fact, it had been God’s idea to dwell in a temporary Tabernacle of His own design.

The prophet Isaiah provides a powerful message from the Lord that exposes the folly of trying to construct an earthly house that would live up to His holy and righteous standards.

This is what the Lord says:

“Heaven is my throne,
    and the earth is my footstool.
Could you build me a temple as good as that?
    Could you build me such a resting place?
My hands have made both heaven and earth;
    they and everything in them are mine.
    I, the Lord, have spoken!

“I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts,
    who tremble at my word.” – Isaiah 66:1-2 NLT

But David had not read these words and he had a desire to honor God by constructing a house worthy of His glory. His heart was in the right place, but his will was not in line with the Lord’s. The Proverbs make it clear that man’s plan, even though well-intended, can never trump the will of God.

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand. – Proverbs 19:21 ESV

The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. – Proverbs 16:9 ESV

David’s dream of building a palace for God was put on hold because God had other plans. God wasn’t fully rejecting David’s idea; He simply wanted David to understand that He didn’t need David’s help or advice. God was not dependent upon David to build Him a house. He didn’t need David to accomplish great feats on His behalf or to increase the borders of the nation of Israel. As David would soon discover, he was a vessel in the hands of God Almighty and ordained to play an important role in God’s grand scheme of redemption. David could reunite the tribes of Israel, establish a royal capital, build palaces, sire heirs, and even relocate the Ark of the Covenant, but none of it mattered if God was not behind it. He had plans that David and even Nathan the prophet knew nothing about. David dreamed of building a grand temple for the Lord that would be the envy of the nations. But God had plans to build a “house” for David that would have would bring salvation to the world.

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

No Detail Left Out

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1 The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. 2 The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. 3 The children of Amram: Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 4 Eleazar fathered Phinehas, Phinehas fathered Abishua, 5 Abishua fathered Bukki, Bukki fathered Uzzi, 6 Uzzi fathered Zerahiah, Zerahiah fathered Meraioth, 7 Meraioth fathered Amariah, Amariah fathered Ahitub, 8 Ahitub fathered Zadok, Zadok fathered Ahimaaz, 9 Ahimaaz fathered Azariah, Azariah fathered Johanan, 10 and Johanan fathered Azariah (it was he who served as priest in the house that Solomon built in Jerusalem). 11 Azariah fathered Amariah, Amariah fathered Ahitub, 12 Ahitub fathered Zadok, Zadok fathered Shallum, 13 Shallum fathered Hilkiah, Hilkiah fathered Azariah, 14 Azariah fathered Seraiah, Seraiah fathered Jehozadak; 15 and Jehozadak went into exile when the Lord sent Judah and Jerusalem into exile by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.

16 The sons of Levi: Gershom, Kohath, and Merari. 17 And these are the names of the sons of Gershom: Libni and Shimei. 18 The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel. 19 The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the clans of the Levites according to their fathers. 20 Of Gershom: Libni his son, Jahath his son, Zimmah his son, 21 Joah his son, Iddo his son, Zerah his son, Jeatherai his son. 22 The sons of Kohath: Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son, 23 Elkanah his son, Ebiasaph his son, Assir his son, 24 Tahath his son, Uriel his son, Uzziah his son, and Shaul his son. 25 The sons of Elkanah: Amasai and Ahimoth, 26 Elkanah his son, Zophai his son, Nahath his son, 27 Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, Elkanah his son. 28 The sons of Samuel: Joel his firstborn, the second Abijah. 29 The sons of Merari: Mahli, Libni his son, Shimei his son, Uzzah his son, 30 Shimea his son, Haggiah his son, and Asaiah his son.

31 These are the men whom David put in charge of the service of song in the house of the Lord after the ark rested there. 32 They ministered with song before the tabernacle of the tent of meeting until Solomon built the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, and they performed their service according to their order. – 1 Chronicles 6:1-32 ESV

This chapter marks the center point of the chronicler’s genealogical record. In it, he details the lineage of Levi, whose tribe had been set apart by God to serve as ministers in the Tabernacle. The Book of Numbers records God’s appointment of the Levites, along with Aaron, a grandson of Levi and the brother of Moses.

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Call forward the tribe of Levi, and present them to Aaron the priest to serve as his assistants. They will serve Aaron and the whole community, performing their sacred duties in and around the Tabernacle. They will also maintain all the furnishings of the sacred tent, serving in the Tabernacle on behalf of all the Israelites. Assign the Levites to Aaron and his sons. They have been given from among all the people of Israel to serve as their assistants. Appoint Aaron and his sons to carry out the duties of the priesthood. But any unauthorized person who goes too near the sanctuary must be put to death.” – Numbers 3:5-10 NLT

This one tribe had been given the sacred responsibility of caring for the Tabernacle, God’s earthly dwelling place. God had commanded Moses to build the Tabernacle and provided the plans for its construction.

“Have the people of Israel build me a holy sanctuary so I can live among them. You must build this Tabernacle and its furnishings exactly according to the pattern I will show you.” – Exodus 25:8-9 NLT

But this sacred space would require special care and attention, a duty given solely to the tribe of Levi. They alone had been chosen by God to serve as priests and caretakers of His house.

Then the Lord said to Aaron: “You, your sons, and your relatives from the tribe of Levi will be held responsible for any offenses related to the sanctuary. But you and your sons alone will be held responsible for violations connected with the priesthood. Bring your relatives of the tribe of Levi—your ancestral tribe—to assist you and your sons as you perform the sacred duties in front of the Tabernacle of the Covenant.” – Numbers 18:1-2 NLT

The sons of Aaron were designated to serve as priests and only they could interact with the holy objects located within the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies, They alone could “perform the sacred duties inside the sanctuary and at the altar” (Numbers 18:5 NLT). The rest of the Levites served as assistants to Aaron and his son, performing the various duties assigned to them by God.

The duties of the Levites continued all throughout the years Israel wandered in the wilderness on their way to the promised land. Even after conquering and occupying Canaan, the Tabernacle continued to serve as the central place of sacrifice and worship, where the Levites continued to perform their God-appointed duties. When Solomon constructed the Temple in Jerusalem, modeled after the Tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant was moved into the Holy of Holies and the Levites transitioned their allegiance from the Tabernacle to the new-and-improved Temple.

The chronicler is reminding his audience of the sacredness of God’s house and the set-apart nature of the Levitical priesthood. When the remnant of Israelites returned to Jerusalem after their 70 years of bondage in Babylon, they found the city in a dismal state and the once-glorious Temple completely destroyed. Yet, under the leadership of Ezra and Nehemiah, they eventually restored the former capital and rebuilt the house of God. But without the Levitical priesthood, the newly reconstructed Temple would be of no use to the people of Israel. God had made it clear: “Any unauthorized person who comes too near the sanctuary will be put to death” (Numbers 18:7 NLT).

So, as the people of Israel stood once again on the land that God had promised and provided for them, the author of Chronicles wanted to remind them of two important facts: The role of the king and the importance of the priesthood to their lives. In his careful, if not boring, list of genealogies, he spent a great deal of time outlining the lineage of Judah, the tribe through which not only David the king and his descendants came, but through which the Messiah would come. In this chapter, he methodically presents the lineage of the tribe of Levi, the tribe appointed by God to serve as priests to Him. While the people were in exile, the priesthood had effectively been suspended. The Levites could serve only as long as Israel remained in the promised land and the Temple remained standing. The Holy of Holies within the Temple was the dwelling place for God’s Shekinah glory. When the Temple had been destroyed, the presence of God had vacated the premises.

At the dedication of the original Temple, God told Solomon, “I have set this Temple apart to be holy—this place you have built where my name will be honored forever. I will always watch over it, for it is dear to my heart” (1 Kings 9:3 NLT). But God also gave Solomon a solemn warning:

“But if you or your descendants abandon me and disobey the commands and decrees I have given you, and if you serve and worship other gods, then I will uproot Israel from this land that I have given them. I will reject this Temple that I have made holy to honor my name. I will make Israel an object of mockery and ridicule among the nations. And though this Temple is impressive now, all who pass by will be appalled and will gasp in horror. They will ask, ‘Why did the Lord do such terrible things to this land and to this Temple?’” – 1 Kings 9:6-8 NLT

And God kept His word. The day came when He sent the Babylonians to punish His people for their sins against Him. The returning exiles knew only too well the details of that sad story; they had lived it for seven decades. Now they were being given a God-ordained chance to begin again. But they would need to do everything God’s way, including reinstituting the Levitical priesthood and the sacrificial system.

This would serve as one of the most significant benefits of their return to the land. During their years in exile, the sacrificial system would have been suspended, which means they would have had no way of receiving atonement for sin. With their return to Israel and the rebuilding of the Temple, that would all change. But it was essential that they do things God’s way. The priesthood was essential to the restoration of community life and the people’s covenant relationship with God. The priests and the Temple were central to life in Israel and had been missing for more than 70 years. This chapter reemphasizes their importance.

This list also reminds the people that it was God who had chosen Aaron and his sons to serve Him as priests. When God rescued the people out of captivity in Egypt, He claimed the firstborn son as His by right. They were to be dedicated to His service for their lifetimes. But instead, God had chosen to allow the Levites to serve in their place. They were His hand-picked representatives and this chapter clearly indicates their importance in the covenant community.

Remember, this book was written to a people returning from Exile. Many, if not most, had been born in Babylon and were ignorant of the history and unique relationship that God had with the people of Israel. This is the author’s attempt to remind them of their uniqueness as God’s people. God had been intimately involved in the history and daily life of the people of Israel and these newly released exiles needed to be reminded of that fact. As they surveyed the landscape of Judah and the less-than-ideal nature of their circumstances, it would have been easy for them to lose hope. They would have been tempted to cut corners and make compromises. But when it came to God’s house and the sacrificial system that took place within its gates, there was no room for concessions and quick fixes. The Temple had always been intended to remind the people of God’s presence. He was never confined to a building or relegated to operating within the walls of the Holy of Holies, but He had agreed to provide them with tangible and visible proof of His presence so they would honor and obey Him. Now that they were back in the land, God was willing to renew His relationship with them but it would require that they recognize His power and remember the weight of their calling as His chosen people.

Sometimes we need a refresher course on just how unique we are as the people of God. Tainted by the world and numbed by constant contact with the things of the world, we lose sight of the reality of our unique position as God’s chosen people. Christ is to serve as priest and king in our lives. He is our Savior and sovereign Lord. He is the one we are to worship and obey. We are not like any other people group on earth. We have a High Priest who has offered the ultimate sacrifice for our sins – His own life. We have a King who rules and reigns from His throne in heaven and who is one day going to return to reestablish His rule here on earth. Those two facts should change the way we live and think.

The Israelites had been given a second chance. God had graciously rescued them from captivity in Babylon and restored them to the land He had promised them. He had provided them with leadership, resources, and the assurance of His presence. He would be with them and He would continue to care for them. But they would need to live in accordance with His will.

Decades earlier, when Solomon dedicated the newly-constructed Temple, he prayed a prayer that was prophetic in nature. Speaking hypothetically, he spoke of a day when the people of Israel might so offend God with their sins that they incur His wrath and suffer defeat at the hands of their enemy. He describes a time of forced exile but then he portrays the people calling out to God in repentance.

“If they sin against you—and who has never sinned?—you might become angry with them and let their enemies conquer them and take them captive to their land far away or near. But in that land of exile, they might turn to you in repentance and pray, ‘We have sinned, done evil, and acted wickedly.’ If they turn to you with their whole heart and soul in the land of their enemies and pray toward the land you gave to their ancestors—toward this city you have chosen, and toward this Temple I have built to honor your name— then hear their prayers and their petition from heaven where you live, and uphold their cause. Forgive your people who have sinned against you. Forgive all the offenses they have committed against you. Make their captors merciful to them, for they are your people—your special possession—whom you brought out of the iron-smelting furnace of Egypt.” – 1 Kings 8:46-51 NLT

Little did Solomon know that his hypothetical scenario would become a painful reality. But his prayer had been answered. God had done exactly what Solomon had requested. He heard the cries of His people and showed them mercy. He graciously restored them to the land. He kept a remnant of the Levites alive. He allowed them to rebuild the Temple. Now, they would need to live in obedience to His will and worship Him in a way that honored His name and reflected their status as His chosen people.

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.