May 4: 2 Samuel 5:11-6:23, 1 Chronicles 13-16

May 4, 2 Samuel 5:11-6:23, 1 Chronicles 13-16

2 Samuel 5:11-25 The Lord was establishing David as King and was exalting him before the Israelites. The King of Tyre had sent him materials and builders to have a house built for David. Things were going good for David, and he even had more wives and concubines which brought more kids to David. One on this list of considerable mention would be that of Solomon, and we will get to his life soon. 

The Philistines knew that David was a threat and wanted to attack him. What did David do? He sought the wisdom of the Lord to see if he should go battle them. God confirmed that he should go, so David went because God was before them. They did conquer that day, as God said that they would. The Philistines came to attack again, and David inquired again of the Lord. God said, “You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come against them opposite the balsam trees. And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, for then the Lord has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.” Not only did God protect and go before them, but like before, He gives them His battle plans to carry out!

2 Samuel 6 David wanted to bring the Ark of the Lord to his city, so he gathered 30,000 of his chosen men. They purified the ark making it new, and Uzzah and Ahio were driving the cart. Do you remember how God instructed that the ark be transported? He clearly said many times that it was to be done only by Levites and carried on the long poles - this was a holy article and not something to be trifled with. Everyone was all excited bringing in the ark, until an oxen stumbled and the ark was about to fall to the ground off the trailer, so Uzzah put his hand out to steady the ark and touched it. God was furious about the whole incident and killed Uzzah on the spot. He was in disobedience by not being a Levite and for touching it, even though it seems that his motives were pure. David was scared of God’s power that day, God’s Holiness. So, he sent the ark to Obed-edom for about 3 months and they were richly blessed as a people because God’s presence was with them.

When David heard that they were being blessed by the presence of the Lord, David decided it was time to bring the ark home. We will learn from Chronicles much more detail about this event, but for now, we are told that there is much rejoicing and dancing as they brought the ark of the Lord to them. David danced with all his might before the Lord. The ark is brought into the city of David, and Michal, Saul’s daughter, despised David in her heart. Note - she is not referred to as David’s wife here, but Saul’s daughter. It may very well be that she, like her father, lacked spiritual discernment. When David got home, Michal met David with much sarcasm and accusations. David confirmed for her that this was only the beginning of his worship and dedication to the Lord. 

1 Chronicles 13 This is another recap of David bringing the ark, as explained above. As explained, David and his people did not respect the holiness of the ark, and the consequences lead to death of Uzzah. 

1 Chronicles 14 Again, this is the recap of our reading from 2 Samuel, see above. Not much different. 

1 Chronicles 15 is in reference to 2 Samuel 6 but this time it is expanded on to show how much care and reverence was given to God and His holy articles. And I quote, Consecrate yourselves, you and your brothers, so that you may bring up the ark of the Lord, the God of Israel, to the place that I have prepared for it. Because you did not carry it the first time, the Lord our God broke out against us, because we did not seek him according to the rule.” They learned their lesson! The Levites did it right this time, and did according to what God wanted. We then learn about David commanding the Levites to lead worship before the Lord with rejoicing. As they bring the ark into town, there is great rejoicing, and we know already that David was stripped down to the ephod (same undergarments that the priests wore) and danced with all his might before the Lord. Again, Michal despised him in her heart for it. 

1 Chronicles 16 There is a brief account of this in 2 Samuel 6, but here we get a much better in depth part about the heart of David and the set up for worship as the ark is brought in… They brought the ark in, did burnt offerings and David blessed all the people. Then he had the Levites get ready to be in the presence of the Lord with rejoicing and music - all to dedicate it to the Lord. David wrote a song of thanks to the Lord. To sum it up: Glory to God alone! Seek the Lord, praise Him and give thanks to Him

To sum it all up:

• Are you a threat to be reckoned with for or against God’s Kingdom?
• Sometimes we think we are doing the right thing in pursuing holiness, but is it what God has instructed you to do? Even if it looks ‘holy’, are you living your life in absolute obedience?
• Also, please note that God’s presence brings blessings. We must strive to stay in God’s presence for numerous reasons, not the littlest, to be blessed by him. 
• Have you ever wanted to worship God so much that you danced before Him with all your might? We should not be ashamed to worship God with all our heart!
• Glory to God alone! Seek the Lord, praise Him and give thanks to Him