1 Chronicles 21:29

KJV

For the tabernacle of the LORD, which Moses made in the wilderness, and the altar of the burnt offering, [were] at that season in the high place at Gibeon.

KJV (with Strong's)

For the tabernacle {H4908} of the LORD {H3068}, which Moses {H4872} made {H6213} in the wilderness {H4057}, and the altar {H4196} of the burnt offering {H5930}, were at that season {H6256} in the high place {H1116} at Gibeon {H1391}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For at that time the tabernacle of ADONAI, which Moshe had made in the desert, together with the altar for burnt offerings, were in the high place at Giv'on.

Berean Standard Bible

For the tabernacle of the LORD that Moses had made in the wilderness and the altar of burnt offering were presently at the high place in Gibeon,

American Standard Version

For the tabernacle of Jehovah, which Moses made in the wilderness, and the altar of burnt-offering, were at that time in the high place at Gibeon.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 21:29 serves as a crucial explanatory note, clarifying the extraordinary circumstances that led King David to offer sacrifices at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite rather than at the established tabernacle. This verse provides the logistical and theological rationale for David's immediate, divinely-directed actions following a devastating plague, underscoring the urgency and divine authorization behind the alternative worship location. It highlights the temporary nature of the tabernacle's location at Gibeon and foreshadows the future, permanent site for God's dwelling in Jerusalem.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse provides the critical background and justification for the preceding narrative in 1 Chronicles 21. The chapter details King David's sin in numbering Israel, which provoked divine judgment in the form of a severe plague. When the angel of the LORD appeared over Jerusalem, David was commanded through the prophet Gad to build an altar on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite to make atonement ([1 Chronicles 21:18](/1_chronicles/21-18 "1 Chronicles 21:18 - Command to Build an Altar")). David immediately purchased the site, offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and the plague ceased ([1 Chronicles 21:26](/1_chronicles/21-26 "1 Chronicles 21:26 - David's Sacrifice and Plague Ceases")). Verse 29 explains *why* David performed these sacrifices at Ornan's threshing floor, rather than journeying to the tabernacle at Gibeon. It reveals that David was overwhelmed by fear of the angel of the LORD and understood the dire urgency of the situation, necessitating an immediate, divinely-appointed act of worship and atonement on the spot. This explanation is vital for understanding the legitimacy of David's actions outside the customary place of worship.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "tabernacle of the LORD, which Moses made in the wilderness" refers to the portable sanctuary constructed under divine instruction during the Exodus ([Exodus 40:2](/exodus/40-2 "Exodus 40:2 - Setting Up the Tabernacle")). This tabernacle, along with the altar of burnt offering, had been the central, divinely ordained place of worship and sacrifice for Israel since its construction. After Israel entered Canaan, the tabernacle was moved several times (e.g., Shiloh, Nob) before eventually settling at Gibeon during the early monarchy, where it remained for a significant period. Gibeon was known as a "great high place" ([1 Kings 3:4](/1_kings/3-4 "1 Kings 3:4 - Solomon's Sacrifice at Gibeon")), indicating its prominence as a legitimate site for worship, even though the term "high place" later became associated with illicit, pagan worship. At this time, Jerusalem was David's newly established capital, but the central sanctuary was still at Gibeon. The events at Ornan's threshing floor thus represent a pivotal moment, marking a divinely sanctioned shift in the focal point of Israelite worship, foreshadowing the construction of the permanent Temple in Jerusalem.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Chronicles and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **Centrality of Worship and Atonement**, emphasizing that God requires specific acts of sacrifice for reconciliation, especially in response to sin. Secondly, it underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Guidance**, demonstrating that while God establishes norms for worship, He retains the prerogative to direct His people to new, specific locations for urgent acts of atonement, overriding conventional practice when necessary. David's fear and immediate obedience to the divine command, rather than adherence to the tabernacle's location, exemplify this. Thirdly, the verse subtly points to the **Transition in Worship Location**, marking a crucial step in the shift from the mobile tabernacle tradition to the future, permanent Temple in Jerusalem. The threshing floor of Ornan, where the plague ceased, would ultimately become the site for Solomon's Temple ([2 Chronicles 3:1](/2_chronicles/3-1 "2 Chronicles 3:1 - Building of Solomon's Temple")), establishing Jerusalem as the enduring center of Israelite worship.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Tabernacle (Hebrew, _mishkan_):** This term refers to the portable sanctuary, also known as the Tent of Meeting, constructed by Moses according to God's precise instructions (Exodus 25-40). It was the physical dwelling place of God's presence among His people, housing the Ark of the Covenant, and serving as the central hub for Israelite worship, sacrifice, and communion with God. Its mention here emphasizes the established, divinely ordained nature of Israel's worship system, even as circumstances necessitated a temporary deviation.
* **High place (Hebrew, _bamah_):** While often associated with illicit, pagan worship sites in later biblical contexts (e.g., 1 Kings 14:23, 2 Kings 17:9), in this specific instance, "high place at Gibeon" refers to a legitimate, elevated site where the tabernacle and altar of burnt offering were situated. This demonstrates that not all _bamot_ were inherently evil; some were simply elevated locations, often naturally suited for public assembly and worship, that were utilized for legitimate Israelite worship before the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem. The text clarifies that Gibeon was the *current* and *legitimate* central sanctuary.
* **Gibeon (Hebrew, _Giv'on_):** A significant city in Benjamin, known for its large size and its association with the Hivites (Joshua 9). Historically, it was a prominent cultic site even before the tabernacle was placed there, as evidenced by Solomon's grand sacrifice there (1 Kings 3:4). Its importance here lies in its role as the temporary, but official, location of the tabernacle and the altar of burnt offering during David's reign, before the Temple was built in Jerusalem.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For the tabernacle of the LORD, which Moses made in the wilderness,"**: This clause establishes the identity and historical pedigree of the central worship site. It is not just any tabernacle, but *the* tabernacle, divinely ordained and constructed under Moses's leadership during the formative wilderness journey. This emphasizes its sacred and authoritative status as the legitimate place for God's people to meet Him.
* **"and the altar of the burnt offering,"**: This specifies the primary instrument for atonement and communion within the tabernacle complex. The altar was where sacrifices were made to reconcile with God and express devotion. Its explicit mention underscores that the core sacrificial system was located at Gibeon, making David's alternative sacrifice at Ornan's threshing floor a significant, divinely-sanctioned exception.
* **"[were] at that season in the high place at Gibeon."**: This final clause pinpoints the geographical and temporal context. "At that season" indicates the specific period during David's reign. The location "in the high place at Gibeon" clarifies where the legitimate, established worship apparatus was situated. This detail is crucial for understanding why David *did not* go there, but rather acted on the immediate, terrifying divine command to build an altar elsewhere, a command that superseded the conventional location due to the extreme urgency of the plague.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Explanatory Parenthesis**, functioning as an interpretive aside to clarify David's actions. It provides crucial background information that justifies David's deviation from the established protocol of worship at Gibeon. This explanatory function highlights the **Historical Detail** and **Verisimilitude** of the narrative, demonstrating the Chronicler's concern for accuracy and providing a theological rationale for the events. Furthermore, by implicitly contrasting the established location with the divinely appointed, temporary site, the verse subtly uses **Anticipation** or **Foreshadowing**. The threshing floor of Ornan, chosen by God as the site for atonement and the cessation of the plague, would later become the permanent location for the Temple, thus foreshadowing the divine selection of Jerusalem as the future center of worship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 21:29 profoundly illustrates God's sovereignty over location and ritual, prioritizing immediate obedience to His direct command, especially in times of crisis and urgent need for atonement. While the tabernacle at Gibeon represented the established, proper place for worship, the dire circumstances of the plague and the direct appearance of the angel of the LORD necessitated an immediate, divinely-appointed response that transcended the normal protocols. This demonstrates that God's presence and redemptive work are not strictly confined to a physical structure, but manifest where and when He chooses to act for the salvation of His people. The verse subtly prepares the reader for the eventual shift of worship from the portable tabernacle to the permanent Temple in Jerusalem, emphasizing that the *divine initiative* and *human obedience* are paramount, even over established traditions.

* [Deuteronomy 12:5-7](/deuteronomy/12-5 "The Chosen Place of Worship")
* [2 Samuel 24:18-25](/2_samuel/24-18 "Parallel Account of David's Altar")
* [John 4:21-24](/john/4-21 "Worship in Spirit and Truth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers a powerful reminder that while established forms, structures, and places of worship are important and divinely ordained for order and instruction, God's redemptive work and His call to obedience can transcend rigid adherence to location, especially in times of crisis or direct divine command. David's profound fear and immediate obedience to build an altar where the angel appeared, rather than traveling to the distant tabernacle at Gibeon, was paramount for the cessation of the plague. This teaches us the critical importance of discerning and responding to God's direct leading, even if it deviates from conventional practice or personal preference, particularly when seeking urgent reconciliation, deliverance, or a deeper encounter with His presence. It challenges us to consider whether our reverence for established traditions sometimes overshadows our readiness to obey God's present, active voice, and to remember that God values a repentant heart and immediate obedience above all else.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **When have I prioritized established tradition over a clear, urgent leading from God?**
* **How does David's fear and immediate obedience in a crisis inform my own response to challenging circumstances?**
* **In what ways might God be calling me to "worship" or act in a new, unconventional "place" or manner that requires stepping outside my comfort zone?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart that is more attuned to God's immediate direction, even when it seems to contradict my understanding of "normal" or "proper" spiritual practice?**

### FAQ

**Why was the tabernacle at Gibeon and not Jerusalem at this time?**

Answer: At the time of David's reign, Jerusalem had recently been captured and established as the political capital, but it was not yet the religious center with a permanent Temple. The tabernacle, which had been the central place of worship since the Exodus, had a history of being moved to various locations (e.g., Shiloh, Nob). By David's time, it had been situated in Gibeon, a prominent "high place" that was a legitimate site for Israelite worship. The Ark of the Covenant, however, had been brought by David to Jerusalem and placed in a tent there ([2 Samuel 6:17](/2_samuel/6-17 "2 Samuel 6:17 - David Brings the Ark to Jerusalem")), creating a temporary dual center for worship. The events at Ornan's threshing floor ultimately paved the way for the unified worship center in Jerusalem with the building of Solomon's Temple.

**Was it wrong for David to offer sacrifices at Ornan's threshing floor instead of the tabernacle at Gibeon?**

Answer: No, it was not wrong; in fact, it was divinely commanded and absolutely necessary. While the tabernacle at Gibeon was the established place for sacrifices, 1 Chronicles 21:29 explicitly explains that David was overwhelmed by the terrifying presence of the angel of the LORD and the urgency of the plague. The prophet Gad delivered a direct command from God to build an altar on Ornan's threshing floor ([1 Chronicles 21:18](/1_chronicles/21-18 "1 Chronicles 21:18 - Command to Build an Altar")). In this extraordinary circumstance, God's immediate directive superseded the normal protocol, demonstrating His sovereignty over location and His priority for immediate obedience in seeking atonement and deliverance. David's action was an act of faith and obedience, leading to the cessation of the plague ([1 Chronicles 21:26](/1_chronicles/21-26 "1 Chronicles 21:26 - David's Sacrifice and Plague Ceases")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Chronicles 21:29, by highlighting the temporary nature of the tabernacle and the divinely appointed shift in worship location, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment of God's dwelling place and sacrificial system in Jesus Christ. The tabernacle, and later the Temple, served as a tangible representation of God's presence among His people and the means by which atonement was made. However, these were but shadows of the greater reality to come. Jesus Christ is the true "tabernacle" of God, the very embodiment of God dwelling among us, as John proclaims, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). The altar of burnt offering, where sacrifices were made for sin, points to Christ as the ultimate and perfect sacrifice, the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). His single, perfect offering on the cross, a divinely appointed "high place" outside the city gates, completely and eternally atoned for sin, rendering all prior sacrifices obsolete ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). Furthermore, just as the worship location shifted from Gibeon to Ornan's threshing floor and then to the Temple in Jerusalem, Christ's coming signifies that true worship is no longer bound by physical location or specific structures, but is offered "in spirit and truth" by those who have been reconciled to God through Him ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23 "John 4:23-24 - True Worshipers")). He is our access to God, our permanent dwelling place, and the fulfillment of every shadow.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Chronicles 16:39

And Zadok the priest, and his brethren the priests, before the tabernacle of the LORD in the high place that [was] at Gibeon,

2 Chronicles 1:3

So Solomon, and all the congregation with him, went to the high place that [was] at Gibeon; for there was the tabernacle of the congregation of God, which Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness.

1 Kings 3:4

And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that [was] the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar.

1 Kings 3:15

And Solomon awoke; and, behold, [it was] a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.

Exodus 40:1

¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Exodus 40:38

For the cloud of the LORD [was] upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.

2 Chronicles 1:13

¶ Then Solomon came [from his journey] to the high place that [was] at Gibeon to Jerusalem, from before the tabernacle of the congregation, and reigned over Israel.