The Life of David: 2 Samuel 6
Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 6 viewsNotes
Transcript
1 Then David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader. 2 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; 3 and let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we have not inquired at it since the days of Saul.” 4 Then all the assembly said that they would do so, for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.
Instructions are everywhere. Whether it is a new mower, weed eater, car, recipe, refrigerator, or stove, an instruction manual is always included.
People need directions to get where they want to go. Previous generations carried a map in their cars. For a while people could get online and print their directions. Now we use our phones or a GPS system comes with the car.
Who likes reading the instructions or following for directions?
Why or why not?
Like it or not, instructions/directions provide answers to how certain things work and how we are to accomplish particular tasks. Likewise, God provides instructions and directions. The Bible has answers to every question in life.
What happens if we read God’s instructions and follow His directions?
What happens if we ignore them?
In today’s story, we will see the problems that happened when David ignored God’s instructions and directions in moving the Ark of the Covenant.
Background
Background
When David finally led Israel from Jerusalem, made an important decision. He determined Israel needed the Ark of the Covenant in Jerusalem.
Why was the Ark important?
What did the Ark symbolize?
Before Jesus came to earth God was unable to dwell in the hearts and lives of His people. Sin separated God from His creation. However, His desire to to be near humanity never waivered.
Therefore, He directed Moses to build a box called the Ark of the Covenant. He gave specific instructions, that included the needed materials, the dimensions, and how to care for the Ark once it was built.
The Ark led the Israelites in the wilderness, in battles, and into the Promised Land. For centuries it was an important fixture in their society. The spiritual condition of the Israelites began to wane under the leadership of the High Priest, Eli.
Toward the end of his tenure, the Philistines stole the Ark after they defeated the Israelites in battle. When Eli heard this, he fell over dead.
After seven months behind enemy lines, they returned the Ark to Israel, and it remained in Kiriath-jearim for over six decades. During the reign of Saul the Ark was all but ignored.
David determined it was time to bring the Ark to Jerusalem.
What does David’s desire for closeness with the Ark tell us about His dependence on God?
Story
Story
1 Chronicles
When the day finally arrived to move the Ark, David did not go alone. He gathered 30,000 soldiers to travel with him. David wanted national involvement in this event.
In fact, before David determined to move the Ark, he asked everyone’s opinion.
1 Then David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader. 2 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; 3 and let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we have not inquired at it since the days of Saul.”
Notice who David asked FIRST. He talked to the captains of the people. Then in his great speech he declared, if it seems good to YOU and if it of God, we will get the Ark.
Why was David wrong to ask other’s opinion before seeking the Lord for directions and instruction?
David’s motives were pure, but his decision making was wrong. Instead of consulting with the Lord, he asked everyone else what they thought. They got their heads together and decided, we need to get the Ark here fast.
Someone came up with the idea, instead of carrying the Ark, let’s built a new cart. We can have the ox pull the cart, and get it here ASAP.
Maybe someone remembered how the Philistines sent the Ark to Judah on a cart pulled by cows. Their thought process was logical, but it was not biblical.
5 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. 6 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.
Picture the scene, everyone is celebrating. They have music, tambourines, and singing. They are clapping their hands. It is likely David and those with him are dancing.
As they progressed to Jerusalem, the oxen stumbled. Perhaps they hit a pot hole. Whatever the case, the Ark nearly fell off of the new cart.
What would you if you saw the Ark of the Covenant begin to fall?
Was
One of the men, Uzzah, reached out to steady the Ark. In seeming innocence, he wanted to help out David and protect the Ark.
Was this the right decision?
Why or why not?
7 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. 8 And David became angry because of the Lord’s outbreak against Uzzah; and he called the name of the place Perez Uzzah to this day. 9 David was afraid of the Lord that day; and he said, “How can the ark of the Lord come to me?” 10 So David would not move the ark of the Lord with him into the City of David; but David took it aside into the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite.
The moment Uzzah touched the Ark he died. We read that the anger of the Lord was against Uzzah and especially David. Imagine the scene, first people gasped because the Ark nearly fell. The gasps turned into screams as the man who “saved” it died.
The moment Uzzah touched the Ark he died. We read that the anger of the Lord was against Uzzah and especially David. Imagine the scene, first people gasped because the Ark nearly fell. The gasps turned into screams as the man who “saved” it died.
Why did God respond so drastically to Uzzah’s mistake?
How could his death been avoided?
David became angry at the Lord’s response. God’s response shows us something about what God expects. David wanted the blessing, protection, and help of the Ark. However, because of his impatience, he did not ask God for direction.
Maybe David’s anger was a byproduct of the embarrassment, shame, and regret he felt. As king, he knew it was his responsibility to lead the people God’s way.
Instead of ending the day with the Ark in Jerusalem, they left the Ark at the home of Obed-Edom. David went to bed that night discouraged. It all could have gone different had David consulted with the Lord and sought His instructions and directions.
Application
Application
David’s had good intentions. He knew Israel needed God’s presence and power. He presented His case to the people, and they supported him.
His problem came when he tried get what God had to offer his way. Our culture is not much different. People identify there are blessings God has for people.
For example, people want the benefits of marriage without the commitment of marriage. Therefore, cohabitation is at an all time high.
What relationsal
People want the emotional support God has to provide, but they are not always willing to become an active member of a church.
People want financial freedom, making New Year’s resolutions about wise financial decisions, yet they have not taken the step of faith of honor God with their finances.
We see from David, we cannot have it both ways. If we want what God promises, we have to follow His instructions and directions.
What blessings does God have available for us?
How do we attain them?
What does it say to God when we try and take what He has to give, but we do it our way?
What consequences come from doing what David did?
Let’s commit to follow the plan God has for our lives, but let’s decide to do it His way.