Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 15:16

"After these things I will return, And I will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen; And I will build again the ruins thereof, And I will set it up:" — Acts 15:16 (ASV)

After this. This quotation is not made literally either from the Hebrew or the Septuagint, which also differs from the Hebrew. The 17th verse is quoted literally from the Septuagint, but in the 16th, only the general sense of the passage is retained. The main point of the quotation, as made by James, was to show that, according to the prophets, it was contemplated that the Gentiles should be introduced to the privileges of the children of God; and on this point, the passage has a direct bearing.

The prophet Amos (Amos 9:8–10) had described the calamities that should come upon the nation of the Jews, by their being scattered and driven away. This implied that the city of Jerusalem, the temple, and the walls of the city should be destroyed. But after that (Hebrew: "on that day,"Amos 9:11; that is, the day when he would revisit and recover them), he would restore them to their former privileges and rebuild their temple, their city, and their walls (Amos 9:11).

And not only so—not only should the blessing descend on the Jews, but it should also be extended to others. The remnant of Edom, the heathen upon whom his name would be called (Amos 9:12), should also partake of the mercy of God and be subject to the Jewish people; and the time of general prosperity and permanent blessings should follow (Amos 9:13–15). James understands this as referring to the times of the Messiah and to the introduction of the gospel to the Gentiles. And so the passage (Amos 9:12) is rendered in the Septuagint. See Acts 15:17.

I will return. When the people of God are subjected to calamities and trials, it is often represented as if God had departed from them. This returning, therefore, is an image of their restoration to his favor and to prosperity. This is not, however, in the Hebrew in Amos 9:11.

And will build again. In the calamities that should come upon the nation (Amos 9:8), it is implied that the temple and the city would be destroyed. To build them again would be a proof of his returning favor.

The tabernacle of David. The tent of David. Here it means the house, or royal residence of David and the kings of Israel. This refers not to that which was the work of Solomon, but to the magnificence and splendor of David's dwelling place; that is, to the full enjoyment of their former high privileges and blessings.

Which is fallen down. Which would be destroyed by the captivity under the king of Babylon, and by the long neglect and decay resulting from their being carried to a distant land.

The ruins thereof. Hebrew: "Close up the breaches thereof." That is, it should be restored to its former prosperity and magnificence—an emblem of the favor of God and of the spiritual blessings that should in future times descend on the Jewish people.