Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Isaiah 55:6
Thus far the Rabbis: All the more impressive is their own admission and their lament–so significant as viewed in the light of the Gospel: “For three years and a half abode the Shechinah” (or visible Divine presence) “on the Mount of Olives,”–waiting whether Israel would repent–and calling upon them, “Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.” And when all was in vain, then the Shechinah returned to its own place!”
(Edersheim, Alfred. 1994. The Temple: Its Ministry and Services. Updated edition. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers., pg 17)
In the Jewish Publication Society's Hebrew Bible there is a hint that the Mount of Olives held special signifance as an extension of the Temple. The translation of this group of 2 Samuel 15:31-32 reads: "And David went up by the ascent of the Mount of Olives . . . And it came to pass that when David was come to the top of the ascent, where God was wont to to be worshipped . . ." If this is so, and Nibley hints this may be true, then it is no wonder the Shekinah would linger there.
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