Rebuilding David’s Fallen Tabernacle – Part 1

David W Palmer

(Acts 15:16–17 NKJV) “After this I will return And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, And I will set it up; {17} So that the rest of mankind may seek the LORD, Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, Says the LORD who does all these things.”

This is a key New Testament passage; it comes at a time when Jesus’s followers were establishing their understanding of God’s purposes for his church under the new covenant. By Holy Spirit revelation, they realized that an important Old Testament prophecy about the tent David erected to house God’s ark was now central. Furthermore, they realized that it was an essential part of God’s end-time revival and ingathering of new people for his family.

Since the rebuilding of David’s tabernacle is central for the new covenant, we need to understand its history, the heart behind it, why God likes it so much, and how it applies today. First, some history:

• David had God at the center of his heart, so he wanted God at the center of his kingdom.
• The outworking of this is seen in his passion to bring God’s ark to Jerusalem as his top priority.
• So, at his first opportunity, he “prepared a place for the ark of God” (1 Chr. 15:1 CSB).
• Then he brought up the ark with great celebration (2 Sam. 6:12–17).
• He sacrificed to God, and instituted a system of continuous praise before the ark.
• Again, this outworking reflected the inner working of his heart: continuous praise to God who was on the throne of his heart; he wanted God on the throne of his kingdom.

David’s heart

David first prepared himself—through study of word and prayer (1 Chr. 15:2).

(2) He prepared a place for the ark:

(2 Samuel 6:17 NKJV) “So they brought the ark of the LORD, and set it in its place in the midst of the tabernacle that David had erected for it. Then David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.

(3) This was what God wanted at that time (and again in our time)—not the elaborate tabernacle of Moses.

(4) David fulfilled God’s will:

(Acts 13:22 NKJV) “And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’”

(5) The atmosphere and culture surrounding David’s tabernacle was:

• Excitement
• Kingdom establishment
• Warfare and victory
• Praise, celebration, worship
• Lots of music and singing—involving new songs and new instruments
• God in control through hearing his voice and submission
• God’s glory emanating and expanding until the whole kingdom and surrounding kingdoms came under His authority.

God wants to rebuild this tabernacle in our day—along with its atmosphere and culture:

• God is not concerned about the physical structure or outward appearance of this dwelling—his word gives no description or dimensions of it like it does with Moses’s tabernacle;
• He is concerned about it being the right heart and spirit—he wants a tabernacle that is separated to him;
• He wants it surrounded by the right atmosphere—praise, worship, and warfare winning; and
• He wants his glory expanding from it to dominate and eclipse Satan’s kingdom.

God wants you to be the tabernacle in which he dwells. Will you give yourself wholeheartedly to what God wants rebuilt? Will you offer your tent (body) to house his glory and to exude an atmosphere of continuous praise, worship, celebration, victory, and divine authority?