Rebuilding David’s Fallen Tabernacle, Part 2—God’s Way

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.”

If we look at the context of this prophetic passage, and if we recognise the reason James quoted it from the Old Testament prophet Amos; we see that is central to the doctrine and practice of the New Testament church. This leads us to ask, “Why?” Why is this tabernacle (tent) more important for us than any other tent … like Moses’s tabernacle, for example?

God must have found something very special about David’s tabernacle that he wants to rebuild in our day. I believe it is the atmosphere and the culture that surrounded it—praise, victory, true worship, intimacy with God, following his voice in warfare and in the administering the kingdom, etc. God really does want it rebuilt, re-established, and restored in and through our lives and churches. Let’s look at some more of its exciting beginnings:

(6) David gathered the people.

(1 Chronicles 15:3 NKJV) “And David gathered all Israel together at Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the LORD to its place, which he had prepared for it.”

(1 Chronicles 15:28 NKJV) “Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting and with the sound of the horn, with trumpets and with cymbals, making music with stringed instruments and harps.”

David gathered everyone to praise the Lord, to celebrate, and for a procession fit for the arrival of the greatest king, etc. Similarly, God wants us to gather—where possible—to praise him, to celebrate, and to welcome his manifestation in our midst. He wants a welcome fit for the most noble and most glorious King ever! He wants a celebration filled with excitement, music—a full gathering of his people (again, where possible). (See: Heb. 10:25, Mat. 23:37).

(7) David had to discover and do things God’s way.

(1 Chronicles 15:2 NKJV) Then David said, “No one may carry the ark of God but the Levites, for the LORD has chosen them to carry the ark of God and to minister before Him forever.”

These divinely revealed truths were written in God’s word (Deut. 10:8). David could not succeed in his amazing vision to see God’s kingdom established on earth without first receiving a revelation of what God had written.

Sadly, despite his holy vision, perfect intentions, and right heart; David’s first attempt to bring up the ark ended very badly, with one of his faithful followers dead (2 Sam. 6:2–8).

David left the ark; he left off his attempt to fulfill this vision when he saw this tragedy, and he went back to Jerusalem. But after three months of yearning for God, he tried again. However, this time David only attempted his dream after discovering God’s way of setting up the “tabernacle of David” (1 Chr. 15:1–2).

( David instructed God’s chosen ark-carriers (Levites) to sanctify themselves so they could bring its presence into the place he prepared for it:

(1 Chronicles 15:12 NKJV) He said to them, “You are the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites; sanctify yourselves, you and your brethren, that you may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel to the place I have prepared for it.”

(1 Chronicles 15:14 NKJV) “So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel.”

This speaks of calling and separation.

God called the Levites to carry the ark, and he called the priests to minister before him.

But they had to sanctify themselves to be separated to the task.

Note: no one can call himself or herself to ministry; we can simply recognize those upon whom we clearly see God’s call.

Today, I again ask you, “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? Will you be like David, and give yourself to the vision God has for you; and will you only attempt to fulfil it after a thorough study of God’s word to ensure you know how he wants it done—so that it brings life and not death? And finally, are you called to his ministry?” If so, I encourage you to prepare yourself through study etc.; and I encourage you to sanctify yourself so you can carry his presence and present Him—and only Him—to the people.