Regarding the matter itself, Rabbi Idi said: David yearned for the offering of the princes.7David yearned to construct the Temple and to inaugurate it with offerings as the Tabernacle had been inaugurated with the offerings of the princes (see Numbers, chap. 7). That is what is written: “[I will offer You] burnt offerings of fattened animals [with the burning of rams; I will sacrifice oxen and goats]” (Psalms 66:15).
Which offering contains in it bulls, rams, and sheep? It is only the offering of the princes, as it is stated: “And for the sacrifice of peace offerings, [two oxen, five rams, five goats, five sheep]” (Numbers 7:17). Rabbi Yehuda, Rabbi Neḥemya, and the Rabbis: Rabbi Yehuda says: The offering of the princes was as beloved before the Holy One blessed be He as the song that Israel sang at the sea. The song that Israel recited at the sea: “This [zeh] is my God and I will exalt Him” (Exodus 15:2), and here it is written: “This [zeh] is the offering of Naḥshon ben Aminadav” (Numbers 7:17).
Rabbi Neḥemya said: The offering of the princes was as beloved before the Holy One blessed be He as the two Tablets of the Covenant. Regarding the two Tablets of the Covenant it is written: “From this side and from that side they were inscribed” (Exodus 32:15), and here it is written: “This is the offering of Naḥshon ben Aminadav.” The Rabbis say: The offering of Aaron was as beloved before the Holy One blessed be He as the offering of the princes.
Regarding the offering of the princes it is written: “This is the offering of Naḥshon ben Aminadav,” and here it is written: “This is the offering of Aaron.” Rabbi Berekhya said: The offering of Aaron was as beloved before the Holy One blessed be He as the twelve tribes. What is the source? “This [zeh]”: the numerical value of zeh is zayin – seven and heh – five; that is twelve.