Dr. Peter Leithart suggests on a recent episode of Presence Pioneers on the Charisma Podcast Network that when David became king of Israel, he initiated a worship revolution. This “Davidic worship revolution” is not just an Old Testament anomaly, but it is a revelation for how Christians should worship the Lord.
Many believers are familiar with the portable tabernacle of Moses described in the Law or the permanent temple that was established by Solomon in Jerusalem. But many are unaware that King David had his own unique “tabernacle” which was actually a simple tent that housed the ark of the covenant on Mt. Zion (see 1 Chr. 13-16).
Rather than offering burnt offerings as worship to the Lord, David instructed the Levites to offer prophetic songs of praise. He established 24 teams of musicians and singers that released a nonstop “sacrifice of praise” before the manifest presence of God for the 33 years of David’s reign in Jerusalem.
Rather than having God’s presence separated from God’s people by a curtain or veil, David’s tabernacle offered direct access to God’s presence. As God was “enthroned” in this day and night worship (Ps. 22:3), David and the kingdom of Israel prospered.
Offering praise as a priestly sacrifice was not even required in the Mosaic law. This was a revolutionary idea that David received prophetically when he saw the blueprint of heavenly worship. It would be 1,000 years later that the apostle John would also peer into the heavenly throne room (see Rev. 4-5). Like the 24 worship teams around the ark of the covenant in David’s tabernacle, John saw 24 elders stand before God’s throne with day-and-night worship and prayer.
David’s tabernacle foreshadowed the Son of David who would spend 33 years on the earth, die on a cross and rise again to sit on David’s throne to rule God’s kingdom. It points us to the access to God’s presence that we have through Christ. And the Davidic worship that we find throughout the Psalms gives Christians a blueprint for praise and worship that pleases God.
“After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up; that the rest of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by My name, says the Lord who does all these things” (Acts 15:16-17).
Be sure to tune into the Presence Pioneers podcast on the Charisma Podcast Network and listen now. {eoa}
