דברי הימים א, פרק ט״ז, פסוק ל״ט

King David faced the unique challenge of organizing the spiritual life of the nation around two distinct holy sites. At that time, the sacred focus was divided between the Ark of the Covenant in Jerusalem and the Tabernacle situated in Gibeon. To ensure proper service at the Tabernacle, David appointed Zadok the priest as the central leader, with the rest of the priests serving under his direct authority [רש״י]. Their assigned role was to maintain a constant and regular service before God at this location.

The daily rituals were carried out on an elevated platform where the altar was constructed [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. During this period, this raised area essentially functioned as the main temple for the people [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

The concentration of the priesthood in Gibeon naturally raises questions about the spiritual maintenance of the Ark of the Covenant in Jerusalem. One perspective suggests that David relocated all the priests to Gibeon, leaving none behind with the Ark. Since the primary duty of the priests involved offering animal sacrifices, and the altar for these offerings was located in Gibeon, their presence was only required there [רש״י]. However, another approach argues against this absolute separation, maintaining that certain priests did stay near the Ark in Jerusalem to fulfill other necessary religious duties, even though the actual sacrificial service took place elsewhere [מלבי״ם].