David Danced

David Brings the Ark to Jerusalem

2 Samuel 6:1-16

Summary: David desires to bring the ark of God to Jerusalem. Initial excitement leads to disaster and a careful look at how to act in the presence of God.

Teaching: A look at the ark, music, Law, and conduct in presence of God

The Ark of God

1 Sa 6:1-2

2 Samuel 6:1-2, "Again David gathered all the choice men of Israel, thirty thousand. And David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, whose name is called by the Name, the Lord of Hosts, who dwells between the cherubim." No sooner had David been anointed king over all of Israel then he started to arrange for the ark of God to the City of David. Having made Jerusalem his political capital of the nation, now David wants to bring the ark and establish the tabernacle. He consulted with his officers 1 Chronicles 13:1–3 “Then David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader. And David said to all the assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you, and if it is of the Lord our God, let us send out to our brethren everywhere who are left in all the land of Israel, and with them to the priests and Levites who are in their cities and their common-lands, that they may gather together to us; and let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we have not inquired at it since the days of Saul.”” ΩThe ark had been in Kirjath Jearim for many years. When it came back from the Philistines it was kept there. Samuel and Saul did not think to move it, but David wanted the presence of God close by. Never be familiar with the presence of God in your life. It may feel far away at times, but like David we can and should seek His face and seek to dwell in His courts, forever. (Psalm 27:4,8)

A New Cart

2 Samuel 6:3 tells us how David retrieved the ark. "So they set the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart." Like the Philistines, they put the ark of God on a new cart. This was a serious problem. God had explicitly instructed in the law of Moses that the ark was to be carried by Kohathite priests. "But to the sons of Kohath he (Moses) gave none (carts), because theirs was the service of the holy things, which they carried on their shoulders." Numbers 7:9 Too often we treat holy things as familiar and common. We go our own way and consider it good enough what we do for God. We take what is sacred and put it on a new cart. God has taken even that attitude, which is sin, and laid it on Jesus. And Jesus paid the price for our familiarity. God forbid that as Christians we would dare to mix the holy with what is profane.

David the Musical King

Christian music can be a hot button subject, but don't tell that to David. One look at his psalms (songs) will tell you he was prolific and diverse in his musical offerings. His focus was on the Lord. So he was not bashful to lift his voice in praise, in worship, in lament, yes he even complained in song. And God loves every note. See Ps 150 for a mention of almost every instrument here. Sistrums?! (not amplified) 2 Samuel 6:5 tells us, "Then David and all the house of Israel played music before the Lord on all kinds of instruments of fir wood, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on sistrums, and on cymbals." What a sound of joy accompanying the ark to Jerusalem for the first time. Pure and uninhibited joy. I imagine that is what concerts will be like in heaven.

Do Not Touch

After many years in exile the ark was coming to Jerusalem what could go wrong? "And when they came to Nachon’s threshing floor, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. Then the anger of the Lord was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error; and he died there by the ark of God." (2 Samuel 6:6-7) The ark of God was not just any piece of furnishing in the tabernacle. It was associated with the throne of God. And God had given grave instructions on how to handle it. Uzzah didn't heed the instructions. 1. Do not touch the ark. Numbers 4:15 2. Don't put it in a cart, the ark is to be carried. Numbers 4:15 3. It is only to be carried by Kohathite priests of the Levitical order. Numbers 4:15 It is not surprising what happened to Uzzah. What is surprising is that God was long-suffering in allowing it to be in a new cart. In their enthusiasm to move the ark they neglected a few important details, and it cost them. Moral: Don't be familiar with the presence of God. (don’t touch God’s anointed, and don’t touch God’s holiness.)

Hurt Feelings

Uzzah touched the ark of God and was killed instantly. David was mortified. He became angry because of the Lord. 2 Samuel 6:8 He became afraid of the Lord. 2 Samuel 6:9 After the ark stayed at the home of Obed-Edom for three months people started to notice the blessings that Obed-Edom received. Just the presence of the ark of God secured a blessing. David was glad and went to get it. 'Now it was told King David, saying, “The Lord has blessed the house of Obed-Edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.” So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with gladness." 2 Samuel 6:12 Getting to know and being a man after the heart of God can turn anger and fear into gladness. Don’t let your anger ruin your life, get right or get left. Drop the attitude. Repent, Return, Rejoice! (Buddy had hissy fits, but repented)

David Danced!

2 Samuel 6:14-15 recounts the joy of David as he finally brings the ark to Jerusalem, "Then David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was wearing a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting and with the sound of the trumpet." Giving thanks can take many forms. Here we see David celebrating with exuberance. He expresses joy even more now that he is treating the ark correctly. Understanding forgiveness is the first step to great joy He is unencumbered by traditions that tell him how to act; but with dignity and respect David dances. "You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness," Psalm 30:11 "Let them praise His name with the dance; Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp. For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation." Psalm 149:3-4

Application: Old Testament Law dictated how to act in presence of the Lord. Don’t let that damper your praise.