The Ark Brought to Jerusalem
2 Samuel 6:1-23
Key verse12b “So David went to bring up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with rejoicing.”
We have not heard a word of the ark since it was lodged in Kirjath-jearim, immediately after its return out of its captivity among the Philistines (HYPERLINK "http://www.studylight.org/desk/?q=1sa+7:1&t=en_nas&sr=1"1 Samuel 7:1, HYPERLINK "http://www.studylight.org/desk/?q=1sa+7:2&t=en_nas&sr=1"1 Samuel 7:2). Except that, once, Saul called for it. (HYPERLINK "http://www.studylight.org/desk/?q=1sa+14:18&t=en_nas&sr=1"1 Samuel 14:18). The ark of the Lord had been neglected for a while. After David conquered Jerusalem, he was eager to bring the ark of God to the city of David, Jerusalem. However, there was a setback; on the way, Uzzah touching the ark of God irreverently, invoked God’s anger and was struck to death. So after three months, David carefully started to move the ark and it was successfully moved to the City of David. In this passage, King David was dancing before the Lord like a kid with all his might. We are all like a little children before God, who is pleased with us enjoying his presence among us.
Read 6:1-5. How many able young men David does bring together and why? (1, 2a) What is the ark of the Lord called? (2b) How do they bring the ark of the Lord from the house of Abinadab? (3-4) How are David and all Israel celebrating before the Lord? (5)
Read 6:1-5.
David again brought together all the able young men of Israel—thirty thousand. 2 He and all his men went to Baalah[HYPERLINK "http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20samuel%206&version=NIV" \l "fen-NIV-8160a" \o "See footnote a"a] in Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name,[ HYPERLINK "http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20samuel%206&version=NIV" \l "fen-NIV-8160b" \o "See footnote b" b] the name of the LORD Almighty, who is enthroned between the cherubim on the ark. 3 They set the ark of God on a new cart and brought it from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, were guiding the new cart 4 with the ark of God on it,[ HYPERLINK "http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20samuel%206&version=NIV" \l "fen-NIV-8162c" \o "See footnote c" c] and Ahio was walking in front of it. 5 David and all Israel were celebrating with all their might before the LORD, with castanets,[ HYPERLINK "http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20samuel%206&version=NIV" \l "fen-NIV-8163d" \o "See footnote d" d] harps, lyres, timbrels, sistrums and cymbals.
How many able young men David does bring together and why?
“David again brought together all the able young men of Israel—thirty thousand. 2 He and all his men went to Baalah[HYPERLINK "http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20samuel%206&version=NIV" \l "fen-NIV-8160a" \o "See footnote a"a] in Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name,[ HYPERLINK "http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20samuel%206&version=NIV" \l "fen-NIV-8160b" \o "See footnote b" b] the name of the LORD Almighty, who is enthroned between the cherubim on the ark.”
David brought thirty thousand young men of Israel and went to Baalah in Judah to bring up the ark of God to Jerusalem. This shows how serious David thought this work is.
How is the ark of the Lord called? (2b)
“The ark of God is called by the Name,[ HYPERLINK "http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20samuel%206&version=NIV" \l "fen-NIV-8160b" \o "See footnote b" b] the name of the LORD Almighty, who is enthroned between the cherubim on the ark.”
How do they bring the ark of the Lord from the house of Abinadab? (3-4)
“3 They set the ark of God on a new cart and brought it from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, were guiding the new cart 4 with the ark of God on it,[ HYPERLINK "http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20samuel%206&version=NIV" \l "fen-NIV-8162c" \o "See footnote c" c] and Ahio was walking in front of it.”
They did not follow the exact prescription about how to carry the ark of the Lord. The numbers 7:9 reads “9 But Moses did not give any to the Kohathites, because they were to carry on their shoulders the holy things, for which they were responsible.” Here is an error that they were guilty of in this matter, that they carried the ark in a cart or carriage, whereas the priests should have carried it upon their shoulders. (HYPERLINK "http://www.studylight.org/desk/?q=2sa+6:3&t=en_nas&sr=1"2 Samuel 6:3). The Kohathites that had the charge of the ark had no wagons assigned to them, because their service was to bear it upon their shoulders. ( HYPERLINK "http://www.studylight.org/desk/?q=nu+7:9&t=en_nas&sr=1"Numbers 7:9). The ark was no such heavy burden but that they might, among them, have carried it as far as Mount Zion upon their shoulders. They needed not to put it in a cart like a common thing. It was also no excuse for the Israelites that the Philistines had done so and they were not punished for it. They should know better.
After long neglect, they forgot how to carry the ark of the Lord and did not pay attention on the Lord’s instruction. It is no excuse for the Israelites that the Philistine used a cart by cows. Simply David did not inquire of the Lord.
How are David and all Israel celebrating before the Lord? (5)
“5 David and all Israel were celebrating with all their might before the LORD, with castanets,[ HYPERLINK "http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20samuel%206&version=NIV" \l "fen-NIV-8163d" \o "See footnote d" d] harps, lyres, timbrels, sistrums and cymbals.”
David and all Israel were celebrating with all their might before the Lord with all kinds of music instruments. David was also one of the best musicians in the nation.
Read 6:6-11. What happens when they came to the threshing floor of Nakon? (6) Why does the Lord’s anger burn against Uzzah and what is the consequence? (7) What is the meaning of ‘Perez Uzzah’? (8) Why is David hesitant to have the ark of the Lord brought to him? (9,10) Where does the ark of the Lord stay for three months and what is the result? (11)
Read 6:6-11.
6 When they came to the threshing floor of Nakon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen stumbled. 7 The LORD’s anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act; therefore God struck him down, and he died there beside the ark of God.
8 Then David was angry because the LORD’s wrath had broken out against Uzzah, and to this day that place is called Perez Uzzah.[ HYPERLINK "http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20samuel%206&version=NIV" \l "fen-NIV-8166e" \o "See footnote e" e]
9 David was afraid of the LORD that day and said, “How can the ark of the LORD ever come to me?” 10 He was not willing to take the ark of the LORD to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. 11 The ark of the LORD remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite for three months, and the LORD blessed him and his entire household.
What happens when they came to the threshing floor of Nakon? (6)
6 When they came to the threshing floor of Nakon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen stumbled.
Fearing that the ark was in danger of being overturned, Uzzah, under the momentary impulse, laid hold of it to keep it steady.
Why does the Lord’s anger burn against Uzzah and what is the consequence? (7)
“ 7 The LORD’s anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act; therefore God struck him down, and he died there beside the ark of God.”
God’s punishment seems harsh; Uzzah's offence seems very small. It happened because the oxen faltered. (HYPERLINK "http://www.studylight.org/desk/?q=2sa+6:6&t=en_nas&sr=1"2 Samuel 6:6). Uzzah thereupon laid hold of it, to save it from falling. Yet this was his crime. Uzzah was a Levite, but priests only might touch the ark. The law clearly mentioned that the Kohathites were to carry the ark. But they must not touch any holy thing, lest they die. ( HYPERLINK "http://www.studylight.org/desk/?q=nu+4:15&t=en_nas&sr=1"Numbers 4:15).
Why was God thus severe with him? 5 possible reasons.
1) The touching of the ark was forbidden to the Levites expressly under pain of death - lest they die; and God, by this instance of severity, would show how he might justly have dealt with our first parents, when they had eaten that which was forbidden under the same penalty - lest you die.
2) God saw the presumption and irreverence of Uzzah's heart.
3) David afterwards owned that Uzzah died for an error they were all guilty of, which was carrying the ark in a cart. Because it was not carried on the Levites' shoulders, the Lord made that breach upon us. (HYPERLINK "http://www.studylight.org/desk/?q=1ch+15:13&t=en_nas&sr=1"1 Chronicles 15:13). But Uzzah was singled out to be made an example, perhaps because he had been most forward in advising that way of conveyance. Perhaps the ark was not covered, as it should have been, with the covering of badgers' skins (HYPERLINK "http://www.studylight.org/desk/?q=nu+4:6&t=en_nas&sr=1"Numbers 4:6), and that was a further provocation.
4) God would hereby strike an awe upon the thousands of Israel. He would teach them to rejoice with trembling, and always to treat holy things with reverence and holy fear.
5) God would hereby teach us that a good intention will not justify a bad action. He will let us know that he can and will secure his ark, and needs not any man's sin to help him to do it.
What is the meaning of ‘Perez Uzzah’? (8)
“Perez Uzzah means outbreak against Uzzah.”
Why is David hesitant to have the ark of the Lord brought to him? (9,10)
9 David was afraid of the LORD that day and said, “How can the ark of the LORD ever come to me?” 10 He was not willing to take the ark of the LORD to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite.
When David saw Uzzah’s death, David was fearful and did not know what to do at a loss. He was afraid. (HYPERLINK "http://www.studylight.org/desk/?q=2sa+6:9&t=en_nas&sr=1"2 Samuel 6:9). It seems that he was afraid with amazement; for he said, How shall the ark of the Lord come to me? He did not say, “Surely Uzzah was a sinner above all men, because he suffered such things,” but he is concerned for himself knowing that he could die like Uzzah. David therefore will not bring the ark into his own city (HYPERLINK "http://www.studylight.org/desk/?q=2sa+6:10&t=en_nas&sr=1"2 Samuel 6:10) till he is better prepared for its reception.
Where does the ark of the Lord stay for three months and what is the result? (11)
“11 The ark of the LORD remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite for three months, and the LORD blessed him and his entire household.”
Read 6:12-19. Why does David decide to have the ark of the Lord brought to him? (12) How does David carefully move the ark of the Lord? (13) What are David and all Israel doing before the Lord to bring up the ark of the Lord? (14, 15) What is Michal’s response when she sees David leaping and dancing before the Lord? (16) When the ark of the Lord is brought to the tent David pitched, what does David do first? (17) What does David do after his sacrifice? (18,19)
Read 6:12-19.
12 Now King David was told, “The LORD has blessed the household of Obed-Edom and everything he has, because of the ark of God.” So David went to bring up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with rejoicing. 13 When those who were carrying the ark of the LORD had taken six steps, he sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. 14 Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the LORD with all his might, 15 while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of trumpets.
16 As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, she despised him in her heart.
17 They brought the ark of the LORD and set it in its place inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and David sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before the LORD. 18 After he had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD Almighty. 19 Then he gave a loaf of bread, a cake of dates and a cake of raisins to each person in the whole crowd of Israelites, both men and women. And all the people went to their homes.
Why does David decide to have the ark of the Lord brought to him?(12)
12 Now King David was told, “The LORD has blessed the household of Obed-Edom and everything he has, because of the ark of God.” So David went to bring up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with rejoicing.
How does David carefully move the ark of the Lord? (13)
“ 13 When those who were carrying the ark of the LORD had taken six steps, he sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf.
This time, David did not want to make the same mistake provoking God’s anger. So he was very careful and showed his awesome respect.
What are David and all Israel doing before the Lord to bring up the ark of the Lord? (14, 15)
14 Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the LORD with all his might, 15 while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of trumpets.
David himself became like a little boy who wants to please his parents by enjoying his presence.
What is Michal’s response when she sees David leaping and dancing before the Lord? (16)
16 As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, she despised him in her heart.
When the ark of the Lord is brought to the tent David pitched, what does David do first? (17)
17 They brought the ark of the LORD and set it in its place inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and David sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before the LORD.
What does David do after his sacrifice? (18,19)
18 After he had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD Almighty. 19 Then he gave a loaf of bread, a cake of dates and a cake of raisins to each person in the whole crowd of Israelites, both men and women. And all the people went to their homes.
Read 6:20-23. When David returns to bless his household, how does Michal criticize David? (20) What is David’s response? (21, 22) What do David’s actions show about him? What happens to Michal? (23)
4-1) Read 6:20-23.
20 When David returned home to bless his household, Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet him and said, “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, going around half-naked in full view of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!”
21 David said to Michal, “It was before the LORD, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the LORD’s people Israel—I will celebrate before the LORD. 22 I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor.”
23 And Michal daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death.
4-2) When David returns to bless his household, how does Michal criticize David? (20)
20 When David returned home to bless his household, Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet him and said, “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, going around half-naked in full view of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!”
Michal did not understand David’s action. She was arrogant.
4-3) What is David’s response? (21, 22)
21 David said to Michal, “It was before the LORD, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the LORD’s people Israel—I will celebrate before the LORD. 22 I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor.”
4-4) What do David’s actions show about him? What happens to Michal? (23)
23 And Michal daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death.
In conclusion: David brought up the ark of the Lord, which has been neglected long time at the house of Abinadab. During moving, he learned the lesson about how he should take care of the ark of the Lord with awesome respect and trembling heart through Uzzah’s death. Finally, when he could successfully bring the ark of the Lord to Jerusalem, he was overjoyed like a kid and he celebrated this with dance and music and a big feast. He expressed his joy and delight before God. We can see David’ joy when he was accepted by God and dwell with Him. God pleases our joy and delight before Him.
One word: King David leaping and dancing before the LORD.
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