The Ark
2 Sam 6:1 Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.
David assembled his best fighting men, mighty men of valor thirty-thousand in number. They had an important duty to perform.
2 Sam 6:2 And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims.
David had conquered Jerusalem and made it his home. He had a fine palace and this would be the holy city of God. Now it is time to bring that most holy possession of Israel to Jerusalem, the Ark of the covenant. Within the ark were three sacred things, the tablets with the ten commandments, Aaron, the high priests rod that budded almond blossoms and manna, the provision of God to feed the people coming out of Egypt to the promised land. The most important thing in the ark, was the presence of God. Upon the ark were two angel figures in gold, with wings spread towards each other, between this dwelt the presence of the LORD. This was the meeting place with the Shekinah glory of God.
2 Sam 6:3 And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart.
The Philistines had at one time taken the ark in a battle but had returned it to Israel on a cart. The presence of God destroyed their idol, Dagon.
1 Sam 5:4 And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him.
Now David places the ark on a new cart, which was as the world but not as God had commanded. We do not follow the world's ways. They were to move the ark with staves, poles inserted in rings on each side.
Exo 25:13 And thou shalt make staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold.
Exo 25:14 And thou shalt put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, that the ark may be borne with them.
Exo 25:15 The staves shall be in the rings of the ark: they shall not be taken from it.
2 Sam 6:4 And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark.
2 Sam 6:5 And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.
They rejoiced in the presence of the Lord. David was known for his praising of the Lord and he had made many instruments of music to play and to praise the Lord.
Psa 150:1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
Psa 150:2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
Psa 150:3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
Psa 150:4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
Psa 150:5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
Psa 150:6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
Blessed Obededom
2 Sam 6:6 And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it.
The threshing floor, where wheat is separated from the chaff. Chaff is as sin or sinners. God will destroy this from his presence.
Mat 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Mat 3:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
2 Sam 6:7 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.
Num 4:15 ...but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die...
The ark was holy, to be carried by the staves in each side. The law was swift in punishment, for touching the ark was forbidden. Was God unfair? No, he had told them the correct way and they transported the ark on a cart instead of being carried with staves. I think this brought fear and reverence for God. For truly God holds our lives, our souls are his, we do not tell him what he should do, but we are to obey him. Too many think it is all right to disobey God. This is sin, disobedience, falling short of God's perfect will.
2 Sam 6:8 And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perezuzzah to this day.
Uzzah means strength. He was a son of Abinadab, who had kept the ark in his home. Man's strength is no match for God's strength. Perez means a breach, the violation of law. Perezuzzah, Uzzahs violation of God's law.
2 Sam 6:9 And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?
David was upset. He had meant well, but was acting in disobedience to God's law. He would leave the ark behind for a time.
2 Sam 6:10 So David would not remove the ark of the LORD unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite.
The ark was placed in the home of Obededom. He was a Levite and God had specified that the Levites would be the ones to care for the ark and to transport it.
2 Sam 6:11 And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obededom, and all his household.
The ark was in a place that God had commanded, in the Levites care. Obededom and all his household were blessed by the presence of the Lord. God's law brought blessings for obedience and a curse for disobeying. God wants to bless. He brings us out of the curse of the law when we receive Jesus. In him is God's blessings and grace. Still we must do what God requires, out of a heart of love.
Ark in Jerusalem
2 Sam 6:12 And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house of Obededom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obededom into the city of David with gladness.
Deu 11:26 Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse;
Deu 11:27 A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day:
Deu 11:28 And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.
David served the Living God and desired His presence and His blessings. Judgment came down on Uzzah because he touched the Holy thing, but the presence of the ark in the house of Obededom, brought blessings and peace. David wanted this for his people in Jerusalem. If you have felt the conviction of God for sin, is it not good? As long as you are alive you have the opportunity to dwell in his blessings by choosing to obey him. God's will is that we receive His Son, Jesus Christ. By dwelling in Jesus you will have the indwelling presence of God, the Holy Spirit, giving you blessings and truth. David was full of gladness, for in that time God's presence dwelt in the ark. Now he dwells in our hearts through our new heart in Jesus.
2 Sam 6:13 And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings.
The story is explained in 1 Chronicles. They were careful to obey God's commands.
1 Chr 15:11 And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, and Joel, Shemaiah, and Eliel, and Amminadab,
1 Chr 15:12 And said unto them, Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it.
1 Chr 15:13 For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order.
1 Chr 15:14 So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel.
1 Chr 15:15 And the children of the Levites bare the ark of God upon their shoulders with the staves thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word of the LORD.
The sacrifices were as a peace offering and a cleansing, an atonement for sins. Now they would be joyful, praising God for his presence.
2 Sam 6:14 And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.
David was filled with Joy in the presence of the LORD whom he loved. He put off his royal clothing and wore the robe of the priests and the Levites. He danced with joy as they marched carrying the ark. This was a joyful celebration, a grand entry parade. Remember how the women of Israel once danced before David and sang a song of his triumph in battle? They were giving him glory that was due to him.
1 Sam 18:6 And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of music.
1 Sam 18:7 And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.
Now it was time for David to dance in honor of His LORD. All he had was given to him by the LORD God of Israel. To him be all honor, glory and praise.
2 Sam 6:15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.
Psa 47:5 God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.
Psa 47:6 Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.
Psa 47:7 For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.
2 Sam 6:16 And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.
Michal had been given to David as his wife by Saul. When Saul turned against David, he gave her to another man. David reclaimed Michal as his wife for political reasons, snatching her from her husband who was broken hearted. She was not in love with David. She was one of seven wives. She had no love for the LORD, but like her father liked the glory of royalty. David was not acting as a king, full of pomp and glory. She despised his emotions as he danced before the ark. He was in a linen ephod, not unclothed as many have taught. Do not let others keep you from praising our Lord. We do not have to serve their bitter hearts, we serve the Lord.
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