Topical Bible: Tabernacle was Set up in Nob

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Topical Encyclopedia

The setting up of the Tabernacle in Nob is a significant event in the history of Israel, marking a transitional period in the worship practices of the Israelites. Nob, a city of priests, is mentioned in the context of the Tabernacle during the time of King Saul and the prophet Samuel.

Biblical Context

The Tabernacle, originally constructed under the leadership of Moses as described in the Book of Exodus, served as the central place of worship for the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings and subsequent settlement in the Promised Land. After the conquest of Canaan, the Tabernacle was initially set up in Shiloh (Joshua 18:1). However, due to various historical and theological developments, it was later moved to Nob.

The city of Nob is first mentioned in 1 Samuel 21, where it is described as a city of priests. It is here that David, fleeing from King Saul, comes to Ahimelech the priest. David requests provisions and a weapon, receiving the consecrated bread and the sword of Goliath. This encounter indicates that the Tabernacle, or at least some of its functions, had been established in Nob, as the presence of the consecrated bread suggests ongoing priestly activities.

Historical and Theological Significance

The relocation of the Tabernacle to Nob is not explicitly detailed in the biblical text, but its presence there is inferred from the narrative involving David and Ahimelech. This move may have been necessitated by the Philistine threat or other socio-political factors affecting Shiloh. The presence of the Tabernacle in Nob underscores the city's role as a religious center during this period.

Theologically, the setting up of the Tabernacle in Nob reflects the fluidity and adaptability of Israelite worship practices in response to external pressures and internal developments. It also highlights the centrality of the priesthood in maintaining the sacrificial system and the continuity of worship, even amidst political instability.

Tragic Events at Nob

The narrative of Nob takes a tragic turn in 1 Samuel 22. After David's visit, Saul, feeling betrayed by the priests of Nob, orders the massacre of the city's inhabitants. Doeg the Edomite carries out the king's command, resulting in the death of eighty-five priests and the destruction of the city. This event marks a dark chapter in Israel's history, illustrating the severe consequences of Saul's paranoia and disobedience to God.

Legacy

The destruction of Nob and the massacre of its priests had lasting implications for the priesthood and the location of the Tabernacle. The surviving priest, Abiathar, fled to David, bringing with him the ephod, a priestly garment used for divination. This act symbolized the transfer of priestly authority and divine favor from Saul to David, foreshadowing the eventual establishment of Jerusalem as the central place of worship under David's reign.

In summary, the setting up of the Tabernacle in Nob represents a pivotal moment in Israel's religious history, marked by both the continuity of worship and the tragic consequences of political strife. The events at Nob serve as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God's commands and the central role of the priesthood in guiding the spiritual life of the nation.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 21:1-6
Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David, and said to him, Why are you alone, and no man with you?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Book 5 Footnotes
... It seems the tabernacle was now at Nob, and probably a school of the ... of the lame,
and the blind, and the maimed, as set to keep ... Mr. Ottius truly observes, [up. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 5 footnotes.htm

Letter cviii. To Eustochium.
... Joseph who buried the Lord, [2764] and Nob, once a ... says boldly: "We will go into
His tabernacle: we will ... Abiram his firstborn and of which he set up the gates ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cviii to eustochium.htm

The Exile Continued.
... The lonely tabernacle was guarded by its own sanctity, and no ... about him, ready to
swallow him up""there be ... How profoundly these words set forth the object of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/v the exilecontinued.htm

The Story of a Cup of Water
... borders from the Philistines, who were a thieving set, and also ... To give up to it
may be weak, but to be ... he took the consecrated bread from the Tabernacle at Nob ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the story of a cup.htm

How David Fled to Ahimelech and Afterwards to the Kings of the ...
... posts of honor upon you, and set some of ... disguised parts and manners, and take up
boldness, insolence ... some sort to render the temple [tabernacle] destitute both ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 12 how david fled.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... both hands indifferently, and always ready to set out on ... extreme age to annoy those
who came up to worship ... the women who "served at the door of" the tabernacle. ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The Promise in 2 Samuel, Chap. vii.
... been from tent to tent, from tabernacle to tabernacle;" ie, I ... Thy son whom I will
set upon thy throne in ... be built by him be closely bound up, the destruction ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the promise in 2 samuel.htm

Seasonable Counsel: Or, Advice to Sufferers.
... but abode in himself, and was left in his tabernacle: and you ... enough in that love
of God, which was set on him ... Up, said Saul to Doeg, the Edomite, and slay the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/seasonable counsel or advice to.htm

The Israelites
... The picture set before us in the first chapter of ... population of Goshen, had been
cooped up within the ... descendants of Aaron served in the tabernacle, and kept ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter i the israelites.htm

Against Jovinianus.
... And the laver in the tabernacle was cast from the mirrors of the ... he did in his life,
yet he does not set an example of ... For it is one thing to draw up a list of ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/against jovinianus.htm