BibleProject | One Story That Leads to JesusSample

If it walks like a priest, talks like a priest, sacrifices like a priest, and ministers like a priest, it might just be a … king? In today’s reading, the chronicler shifts his focus from David’s role as the anointed king to that of the royal priest.

David builds his holy city on Mount Zion. He then makes Jerusalem the spiritual capital of Israel by setting up a tent with the ark of the covenant inside. To celebrate, David throws an epic party. There’s singing, dancing, and marching bands. The king himself leaps and spins through the streets, leading a lively parade of Levites (the priestly tribe) in his wake.

Israel’s king goes up a new, Heaven-on-Earth mountain to bring the ark of Yahweh’s presence back into the Eden tent? What an incredible moment.

And there’s more. When King David brings the ark into Jerusalem, he does things only a priest is supposed to do. He sets up a tabernacle, which is technically the Levites’ job (Num. 1:51, 4:1-33). He wears a priest’s linen uniform, including an ephod (see Exod. 28). He even offers sacrifices to Yahweh. This responsibility was strictly off-limits to anyone outside the priestly family line (Num. 3). At the end of Jerusalem’s spectacular jamboree, David blesses the Israelites, just like Aaron, the high priest (Num. 6:22-27; Deut. 10:8).

Watch today’s video to learn more about David the priestly king and how he points forward to humanity’s true royal priest to come.

Reflection Questions

• Take some time to meditate on Genesis 14:18-20 and Psalm 110. How does Melchizedek anticipate the dual role of king and priest that David plays in today’s reading?
• Look back over Leviticus 10:1-3. What happened the last time someone offered an unauthorized sacrifice to Yahweh? What happens when David, who has not been ordained to the priesthood, offers sacrifices to Yahweh in today’s reading? What does this show you about Yahweh’s attitude toward David’s actions?