BibleProject | One Story That Leads to JesusSample

Even when the Israelites were trekking through harsh wilderness, they managed to build and travel with a tabernacle that gleamed with the splendor and abundance of Eden. How splendid will the temple be with the resources available to Israel at the height of their power!

In today’s reading, the chronicler continues narrating the story about temple construction under David’s leadership. In the same way Yahweh gave Moses the pattern for tabernacle construction, God shows David the blueprint pattern for the temple (Exod. 25:9, 40; 1 Chron. 28:11-12). The traveling Eden space gets a permanent resting place and a major upgrade.

Before dying, David urges Israel’s officials to contribute to the temple’s construction. He echoes the speech Moses gave the Israelite community when the tabernacle construction project needed funding (Exod. 35:1-18). David’s audience responds the same way Moses’ audience did, with extravagant generosity (Exod. 35:20-29).

Where the wilderness nomads of Moses’ generation had only gold jewelry and dyed cloth to donate, the national elites of David’s day offer piles of gold and gemstones.

More glory, more grandeur—but the same basic design. David’s detailed instructions to Solomon show the temple receiving the same furniture as the tabernacle: altar, lampstand, table stocked with bread, and more. In the heart of Yahweh’s sacred space, shiny golden cherubim spread their wings over the ark of the covenant. (Recall the two cherubim set at Eden’s gate at the exile of Adam and Eve.)

Watch the video to learn more about these mysterious spiritual creatures who guard the borders between Heaven and Earth. The extravagance of the temple in Chronicles points to a future, more glorious space, where Heaven and Earth will meet.

Reflection Questions

• Compare the story of David’s last words and death as recorded in Chronicles (1 Chron. 29:10-30) and in Kings (1 Kings 2:1-10). What differences do you notice?
• Notice that the ark of the covenant is called a chariot in today’s reading (1 Chron. 28:18). Where else have you seen Yahweh’s presence rest on a chariot? (Turn to Ezekiel 1-3 for a hint.) How does this help you understand the introduction to the book of Ezekiel?