Sermon Tone Analysis

Additional Reading

Compare this reading to :

[ KJV] 1 And David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, [and] with every leader.

2 And David said unto all the congregation of Israel, If [it seem] good unto you, and [that it be] of the LORD our God, let us send abroad unto our brethren every where, [that are] left in all the land of Israel, and with them [also] to the priests and Levites [which are] in their cities [and] suburbs, that they may gather themselves unto us: 3 And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we enquired not at it in the days of Saul. 4 And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.

5 So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor of Egypt even unto the entering of Hemath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjathjearim. 6 And David went up, and all Israel, to Baalah, [that is], to Kirjathjearim, which [belonged] to Judah, to bring up thence the ark of God the LORD, that dwelleth [between] the cherubims, whose name is called [on it].

7 And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drave the cart.

8 And David and all Israel played before God with all [their] might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.

What differences does Scripture note for us here in compared to ?

Chronicles provides a narrative from David on how he made the decision to bring forth the ark of God - he consulted with “every leader” (v1)

David then presents his findings to the congregation of Israel and his desire (v2)

David knows the priests and Levites need to be involved, but note in verse 3 “let us bring again the ark of our God” - instead it should have stated “let them bring again the ark of God unto us”

It was right in the eyes of all the people (v4)

David gets everyone involved (v5) - Chronicles lists the extent of where people came from

Chronicles makes mention that with the playing of instruments they played with all their might (v8) - they were very sincere in their worship

David exclaims how he will bring the ark of God home (v12)

Ark was carried aside into the house of Odebedom the Gittite (v13) - how was it carried aside?

It likely remained on the cart.

Worship

Compare David’s worship with worship seen in contemporary Christian circles today:

Ideas and opinion sought from leaders

Confirmation/surveys from the people - all appears “right”

A worldly/carnal method is used (a new cart - only observed with the Philistines moving the ark out of their land).

A “new cart” may by appearances show how respectful one is to a holy object, but this was not God’s requirement.

A big production occurs (30,000 chosen men)

Friendly/brotherly (Ahio) leading; strength (Uzzah) sustaining - all done by their own might

No genuine consultation with the Lord!

It was a good thing, but it was done in the wrong way.

How are we to worship?

Not to make us focus on how we feel, but on pleasing God.

There’s nothing wrong with being joyous in worship, but so long as we are obeying God in how He wants to be worshipped.

Not us dictating the terms.

Ark

How has the ark moved?

History of the ark in books of Samuel

Dwelt in a tabernacle in Shiloh

1 Samuel

2. Taken to battle in Eben-ezer

3. Taken by the Philistines in battle to Ashdod

4. Was in the country of the Philistines seven months

5. Sent back to Israel to Beth-shemesh

6. Sent to the men of Kirjath-Jearim

1 Samuel

7. Ark was requested by king Saul, but never fetched

8. Ark fetched by David on a new cart

9. Ark stays 3 months in Obed-edom

2 Samuel 6:

10.

Ark brought to Jerusalem in a tabernacle created by David

2 Samuel

So the movements of the ark were as follows:

Taken into battle and brought in by the priests Hopni and Phinehas

Philistines brought it forth to Ashdod (no specifics on how)

Philistines sent it away on a cart pulled by 2 milking cows

Men of Beth-shemesh used Levites to carry the ark

Men of Kirjath-Jearim fetched it up and it dwelt in the house of Abinadab.

We don’t know if these were of the lineage of Levi, but if they weren’t they were trying to do the right thing - “sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark”

Due to the engagement of the nation in agreeing with bringing the cart out of Kirjath-Jearim this was the extent of how many were involved.

This unit was likely to be a national elite forces that would help to remove the current location of the ark to a safer location.

Scripture here is emphasising in the first verse the importance of the ark for the nation, hence why the title “Lord of hosts” is used.

The Philistines did similar with the cart being pulled by 2 milking cows, here we have the cart being mobilised by oxen.

The tactic is very similar to how the Philistines moved the ark.

Remember, when the Philistines sent the cart they didn’t expect it to go into the hands of the Israelites and they sent it forth where the natural inclination of the cows was to turn back to their young.

However, through divine guidance the ark did safely make it back.

New cart - a sign of respect for the holy object

Accompanied by the sons of Abinadab - Ahio leading the procession and Uzzah guiding the cart.

Accompanied with songs by harps, psalteries, timbrels, cornets and cymbals (both stringed and percussion instruments)

Much service for the Lord is like this:

New fancy cart

A big production

Friendly out front (Ahio) and Strength out back (Uzzah)

When the cart then wobbled and the oxen shook the ark, Uzzah put forth his hand and took hold of it.

Why would the Lord kill Uzzah for what he done when he was helping the ark of God?

The Philistines transported the ark on a cart and they got away with it because they knew no better.

The nation of Israel could not plead ignorance.

Israel was to take their example from God’s Word, not from the innovations of the Philistines.

God takes His Word seriously.

Why was David displeased?

He couldn’t understand why his good intentions along with the desire of the people were not honoured and ended in death.

God cares not just about our intentions - we can easily justify the goodness of our intentions with our acts, but God wants both our intentions and acts to be conformed to His desire and Word.

David eventually finds the answer in God’s Word, and when we read we see how detailed and descriptive his means are when he comes back the second time.