1 Chronicles 15-16 | 2 Samuel 6:12–23 | Psalm 96

King David organizes the transportation of the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem, which occurs with the pomp and circumstance that would be given a conquering king. David displays unbounded joy and rejoicing as the procession makes its way to Jerusalem, and he also made sure that all were following the law of Moses in how the ark was supposed to be moved.

David moves the ark to a tent on mount Zion, however the Tabernacle of Moses remains at Gibeon, where the priests are left to perform the sacrifices and daily duties commanded in the law. This sets up a very interesting time in the history of Israel, where the ark of God’s presence is outside of the tabernacle of Moses, and there is an entirely different regimen of worship before God that David establishes for the duration of his reign. In the days of Solomon the temple in Jerusalem will be built, and then the ark will again be placed behind the veil within the Holy of Holies.

In Acts 15 the apostle James quotes from Amos 9:11, where God promises to restore the tabernacle (or tent) of David, indicating that the church age, and open access to the presence of God is a fulfillment of that prophecy.