1 Chronicles 21:29
For the tabernacle of the LORD that Moses had made in the wilderness and the altar of burnt offering were presently at the high place in Gibeon,
For the tabernacle of the LORD

The tabernacle, or Tent of Meeting, was the portable sanctuary God commanded Moses to build for Israel’s worship. It represented the Lord’s covenant presence among His people and remained the appointed center for sacrifice and priestly ministry before the Temple was built.

Exo 25:8-9 And they are to make a sanctuary for Me,…
Exo 29:42-46 For the generations to come, this burnt offering…
Psa 78:60 He abandoned the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent…

that Moses had made in the wilderness

Moses oversaw its construction according to the pattern God gave him at Sinai during Israel’s wilderness journey. The tabernacle accompanied the nation through the years of wandering and served as a constant reminder that God dwelt among them.

Exo 40:16-17 Moses did everything just as the LORD had commanded him.…
Act 7:44 Our fathers had the tabernacle of the Testimony…
Heb 8:5 The place where they serve is a copy and shadow…

and the altar of burnt offering

The bronze altar stood in the courtyard before the tabernacle and was used for the sacrifices required by the Law. Burnt offerings expressed consecration to God and provided atonement through the shedding of blood.

Exo 27:1-8 You are to build an altar of acacia wood.…
Exo 38:1-7 Bezalel constructed the altar of burnt offering…
Lev 1:3-5 If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd,…

were presently at the high place in Gibeon,

By David’s reign, the tabernacle and altar were located at Gibeon, while the ark had been brought to Jerusalem. This arrangement continued until Solomon built the Temple, where Israel’s worship would be centered.

1Ch 16:39-40 And David left Zadok the priest and his fellow priests…
2Ch 1:3-6 And Solomon and the whole assembly went to the high place at Gibeon because it was the location of God’s Tent of Meeting…
1Ki 3:4-5 Now the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there…

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Tabernacle of the LORD
Originally constructed by Moses in the wilderness, this was the portable earthly dwelling place of God among the Israelites, containing the Ark of the Covenant.

2. Moses
The prophet and leader who led the Israelites out of Egypt and through the wilderness, receiving the Law from God and overseeing the construction of the Tabernacle.

3. The Altar of Burnt Offering
A significant part of the Tabernacle where sacrifices were made to God, symbolizing atonement and worship.

4. The High Place at Gibeon
A significant worship site during this period, where the Tabernacle and the altar were located before the construction of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem.

5. David
The King of Israel who sought to build a permanent temple for God, but was instructed that his son Solomon would complete this task.
Teaching Points
The Continuity of Worship
The presence of the Tabernacle at Gibeon underscores the continuity of worship practices from the wilderness to the establishment of the monarchy. It reminds us of the importance of maintaining consistent worship in our lives, regardless of changing circumstances.

The Significance of Sacred Spaces
The high place at Gibeon served as a central location for worship before the Temple was built. This teaches us about the importance of setting aside sacred spaces in our lives for communion with God, whether physical locations or dedicated times for prayer and reflection.

God's Presence in Transition
The transition from the Tabernacle to the Temple illustrates God's presence with His people through different phases of their journey. We can trust that God remains with us through the transitions and changes in our own lives.

Obedience and Worship
The use of the altar for burnt offerings at Gibeon highlights the role of obedience in worship. True worship involves a heart of obedience and submission to God's will, as demonstrated through the sacrificial system.

Preparation for Greater Things
David's desire to build a temple, though not fulfilled in his lifetime, set the stage for Solomon's eventual construction of the Temple. This teaches us about the importance of preparing and laying groundwork for future generations in our spiritual and personal endeavors.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the location of the Tabernacle at Gibeon reflect the Israelites' journey and relationship with God?

2. In what ways can we create "sacred spaces" in our daily lives to foster a deeper connection with God?

3. How does the continuity of worship practices from the Tabernacle to the Temple inform our understanding of worship today?

4. What lessons can we learn from David's preparation for the Temple that can be applied to our own spiritual preparations and goals?

5. How does the concept of obedience in worship, as seen in the use of the altar for burnt offerings, challenge or affirm your current approach to worship?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 40
Describes the construction and dedication of the Tabernacle by Moses, providing context for its significance in Israelite worship.

1 Kings 3
Details Solomon's worship at Gibeon, where he offered sacrifices and received wisdom from God, highlighting the continued importance of this site.

2 Chronicles 1
Reiterates the significance of Gibeon as a worship site during Solomon's reign, emphasizing the continuity of worship practices.
Census ReflectionsW. Bramley Moore, M. A.1 Chronicles 21:1-30
David Numbering IsraelHomilist1 Chronicles 21:1-30
David's Self-ConfidenceR. D. B. Rawnsley.1 Chronicles 21:1-30
David's Sin and RepentanceClergyman's Magazine1 Chronicles 21:1-30
Man, Through God, Arresting the Great EvilsHomilist1 Chronicles 21:1-30
Sinful CountingJ. Parker, D. D.1 Chronicles 21:1-30
The Impotence of NumbersHarry Jones.1 Chronicles 21:1-30
Under a SpellW. Birch.1 Chronicles 21:1-30
Effects of David's SinF. Whitfield 1 Chronicles 21:7-18, 29, 30
The Relics Left on Feeling from the Humbling Scenes of LifeR. Tuck 1 Chronicles 21:29, 30
People
Araunah, Benjamin, Dan, David, Gad, Gibeon, Israelites, Joab, Levi, Ornan
Places
Beersheba, Dan, Gath, Gibeon, Jerusalem
Topics
Altar, Burned, Burnt, Burnt-offering, Desert, Gibeon, Offering, Offerings, Season, Tabernacle, Waste, Wilderness
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Chronicles 21:29-30

     8636   asking

Library
"For what the Law could not Do, in that it was Weak through the Flesh, God Sending his Own Son in the Likeness of Sinful Flesh,
Rom. viii. 3.--"For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin condemned sin in the flesh." For what purpose do we meet thus together? I would we knew it,--then it might be to some better purpose. In all other things we are rational, and do nothing of moment without some end and purpose. But, alas! in this matter of greatest moment, our going about divine ordinances, we have scarce any distinct or deliberate
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Work of Jesus Christ as an Advocate,
CLEARLY EXPLAINED, AND LARGELY IMPROVED, FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL BELIEVERS. 1 John 2:1--"And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." By JOHN BUNYAN, Author of "The Pilgrim's Progress." London: Printed for Dorman Newman, at the King's Arms, in the Poultry, 1689. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. This is one of the most interesting of Bunyan's treatises, to edit which required the Bible at my right hand, and a law dictionary on my left. It was very frequently republished;
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Hardening in the Sacred Scripture.
"He hath hardened their heart."-- John xii. 40. The Scripture teaches positively that the hardening and "darkening of their foolish heart" is a divine, intentional act. This is plainly evident from God's charge to Moses concerning the king of Egypt: "Thou shalt speak all that I command thee; and I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply My signs and wonders in the land of Egypt. But Pharaoh shall not harken unto you, and I will lay My hand upon Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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