Week 2
Overview

A Passion for the Presence of God (David’s Tent)

We now move from Moses’ tabernacle to David’s tent. There were several differences between the two. Instead of the elaborate arrangements of three areas – the Outer Court, the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place – there was just one simple space. Instead of the various key articles of worship – the bronze altar, the bronze laver, the lampstand, the table of showbread, the altar of incense and the ark of the covenant – there was now just one article, the ark. Instead of the focus on sacrifices and the holiness of God, there was a new emphasis on simplicity and freedom in worship. Whereas Moses’ tabernacle (like Solomon’s temple that would follow), was based on very detailed instructions from God, since they were seen as pointing to the greater reality of Heaven, David’s tent simply came out of his heart for God. Bear in mind that despite all his imperfections, David was called “a man after my own heart” by God.

Our main texts for this week are 1 Chronicles, chapters 13, 15 and 16 as well as 2 Samuel 6, which tells the story of how David brought the ark, which was symbolic of the presence of God, back to Jerusalem. He then set it in a tent and established a new pattern for worship. 

In this story, we see David’s number one priority shining through – a passion for the presence of God.  Let’s pray that we, too, would have an increased passion and desire for more of God’s presence – not just in our own lives but in our families, our churches, our communities and in our nation.

As we go through these devotions, remember that God no longer lives in a physical ‘ark’ but lives in and amongst us, His people.