To Inquire of the Lord
I was first introduced to the Tabernacle of David after I joined the staff team at Gateway House of Prayer. It was something I had read about as simply part of the story of David. I didn’t know it was a ground-breaking, history-shaping, Old Testament foreshadowing of the New Covenant made through the death of Christ. I didn’t know it was the backdrop for almost the entire book of Psalms or that there were prophecies that spoke about its restoration in the last days.
I didn’t know the incredible significance of a tent filled with musicians that was erected on Mt. Zion thousands of years ago that lasted for less than forty years.
But when people ask me what Gateway House of Prayer is all about, why we are serious about building a space consecrated to the Lord with 24/7 worship and prayer, and why we believe this mandate is essential for our region to experience true revival, I can’t help but point back to the tabernacle of David. What I have learned and am learning constantly fills me with wonder and excitement.
If you want to understand our “why”, take a few moments to go over the rich, biblical account of the shepherd King and his tabernacle with me. Even if you aren’t too sure about Gateway or Houses of Prayer, consider the call of God on every believer to step into the glory of priestly ministry to Jesus in every area of our lives. This is not an optional, trendy endeavor; this is the foundation of everything we are called to be and to do as followers of Christ.
The Biblical account of the Tabernacle of David is easy to miss. The first mention of it is in 2 Samuel 6 and the second mention is in a parallel account in 2nd Chronicles 16. Both stories are centered on the movement of the Ark of Covenant returning to the center of national worship. It’s easy to glance over the verse that simply states, “[they] set it inside the tent David had pitched for it.” (1 Chronicles 16:1 ESV) If you’re paying attention, however, you will find that those two accounts might be the first but are certainly not the last times the tabernacle or “tent” of David is mentioned. We find in another account that David employed four thousand Levites to be musicians and singers, and that’s not even counting the twenty-four thousand that he said would “have charge of the work in the house of the Lord”. (1 Chronicles 23:4,5 ESV)
If that was the only clue as to the value of this expression of worship that we had, we would still do well to understand it and implement the various principles that might be applicable to us today.
But the clues don’t stop there. During the time the Tabernacle of David hosted God’s Presence, the Kingdom of Israel reached its pinnacle of military might and the stage was set for the economic boom during King Solomon's reign. Not only that, but an incredibly prophetic atmosphere was established. Before King David’s reign, it was said that the “the word of the Lord was rare in those days.” (1 Samuel 3:1 ESV) But after musical ministry to God in David’s tabernacle was formed, hundreds of prophetic songs burst forth! Some of them, like Psalm 22, are the clearest depictions of Christ on the Cross ever recorded in the Old Testament. And then we have the prophecy of Amos, who lived hundreds of years after David.
“On that day I will raise up
The tabernacle of David, which has fallen down,
And repair its damages;
I will raise up its ruins,
And rebuild it as in the days of old;
That they may possess the remnant of Edom,
And all the Gentiles who are called by My name,”
Says the Lord who does this thing.
Amos 9:11,12 NKJV
Maybe this wouldn’t be so significant if the Apostle James hadn’t stood up in a crucial meeting of the early church apostles and fathers, quoted this prophecy, and said, “Known to God from eternity are all His works. Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God.” (Acts 15:18 NKJV) This was a huge shift in thinking for the Jewish believers! I believe it is incredibly important to understand why the tabernacle of David was the model God chose to express his heart to the early Church during the momentous council.
So, we have to ask:
What made the tabernacle of David so unique? And how might God want to restore it in our day?
First, I must say that there are many resources, books, and teachings that shed light on this mysterious tent of meeting in much greater depth than I can in this article. I’d highly recommend reading “Enthroned” by David Fritch if this topic is interesting to you. Most of what I’m sharing is a summary of what I have learned in that book. Wherever you choose to dig, you will find treasure.
That said, here’s a few nuggets to get you thinking. These highlight the glorious and almost bizarre nature of this ministry.
First, the tabernacle of David broke the Mosaic tradition--which was the covenant the people of Israel were still bound by-- in several significant ways. In the tabernacle of Moses, the Ark of the Covenant was placed in the Holy of Holies and only the High Priest was allowed to minister before it once a year. Everything was to be done in perfect accordance with the written law of Moses. People were literally struck dead by fire for acting out of line.
Given that backdrop, David’s employment of thousands of musicians to minister before the Ark of the Covenant is shocking. 1st Chronicles 16:4-6 says, “And he appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the Lord, to commemorate, to thank, and to praise the Lord God of Israel: Asaph the chief, and next to him Zechariah, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, and Obed-Edom: Jeiel with stringed instruments and harps, but Asaph made music with cymbals; Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests regularly blew the trumpets before the ark of the covenant of God.”
Secondly, David himself was known as “the man after God’s own heart.” He understood the heart of God as Immanuel before Jesus ever came on the scene. In his zeal for God, he tapped into a future glory and God permitted, and even blessed, his unconventional actions. After David brought the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem, dancing with all his might and wearing a linen ephod (which only the priests were allowed to wear), God made a new covenant with him. In this covenant, He promised that, “I will set up your seed after you, who will be of your sons; and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build Me a house, and I will establish his throne forever.” (1 Chronicles 17:11,12 NKJV) This is a direct, prophetic promise Jesus fulfilled! Can you imagine so moving the heart of God that He promises to send the greatest Gift to all mankind through your lineage?
There’s no doubt in my mind that the tabernacle of David was the central and most crucial part of David’s reign. It was both the result of his heartfelt desire to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord (Psalm 24:7) and the reason for Jesus coming as the son of David and being called the “root of Jesse”.
It is well worth our time to ask:
God, how do you want to restore this expression of worship?
I believe the core revelation of David’s Tabernacle is that God wants to dwell with all who seek his face. He never intended His Presence to be mediated by a certain sect of “special” people. The cry of His heart was that, “My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” (Isaiah 56:7 NIV, emphasis added) When Jesus came to the temple, he was grieved by the business and professionalism of the religious elite and he quoted this prophecy.
Could it be that we have also fallen into the same religious mindset? Have we made “worship” a part of our church “services”, regulated it to only a few specific times throughout the week, and made sure it is led by a few “gifted” individuals? What if we have lost sight of the glorious truth that every believer has been called to priestly ministry? That each of us can have personal, intimate encounters with God when we seek him with all of our hearts? Is that not what Christ purchased on the Cross? How tragic it would be to lose sight of the revelation that, “Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young--a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God.” (Psalm 84:3 NIV)
This is what drives us to host God’s Presence 24/7 at Gateway. We want to build a place of prayer and worship that are accessible at all times and to all who desire to seek the Lord. We believe that a renewed understanding of priestly ministry, which includes musical worship, intercession, and prophecy, will shift the atmosphere in our region.
Of course, we recognize that our expression of David’s Tabernacle is not the only valid or even the ultimate one. Many believers are called to lead businesses, serve in evangelistic ministries, or raise families with the same heart. There is no limit to the creativity of God! He is not looking for a specific, physical model because He is no longer confined to one specific location but now dwells within every believer!
The desire in all of our hearts must be to simply honor Jesus. Whatever He calls us to do, is significant and crucial. We must be wholehearted in our obedience.
For us, that means staying up in the middle of the night or singing our hearts out to an empty room. It means constantly asking for volunteers from various churches to lead “watches” throughout the day and night. It means equipping and training people of all ages through our internships, seminars, and evening gatherings. For you, it might look completely different. Whatever God calls you to do, do it in wonder reality of His Presence.
Thank you for reading “To Inquire of the Lord”, written by Tim Ornelas. We hope it encourages you! If you would like to share this article, please feel free to do so. If you have any thoughts or questions, you are welcome to email us at admin@gatewayprayer.com.