2 Samuel 6 - The Ark Comes to Jerusalem

In the previous chapter of 2 Samuel, we saw all Israel come to Hebron to make David king. David took the stronghold of Zion, and made Jerusalem his capital. Immediately following this, the Philistines came up to battle with David, and David beat them twice, driving them back closer to their original territories. In this chapter we will see David bring the ark of God to Jerusalem, and some problems he encounters in doing so.

David gathered 30 thousand choice men to bring up the ark of God from Baal Judah (Kirjath Jearim), out of the house of Abinadab, which was on a hill about eight miles from Jerusalem. It had been there 70 years, ever sense the ark came back from the camp of the Philistines. It was largely neglected by Saul, and if we recall, the tabernacle had been destroyed by the Philistines when the ark was captured as recorded near the beginning of 1 Samuel.  So, they put the ark on a new cart, and Uzzah (strength) and Ahio (friendly), the sons of Abinadab, drove the cart. While they were going, everyone was playing on various instruments in worship to the Lord.

When they came to Nachon’s threshing floor, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah put forth his hand to grab ahold of the ark to keep it from falling. Then God became angry with Uzzah for his error, and struck him dead for touching the ark. David was angry because the Lord had stricken Uzzah, and he named the place Perez Uzzah. David was afraid of the Lord, and would not bring it to Jerusalem. However, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom who was himself a Levite of the family of Kohath (1 Chron 26:1-4), and left it there three months. While the ark was there , the Lord blessed the house of Obed-Edom.

So what was going on here? Well, if we look at 1 Chronicles, it gives us some more insight. Here David is instructing the priests and Levites what they needed to do in order to bring up the ark the second time, and that the Lord had broken out against them because they had not followed the proper order. The Lord  had told them in Exodus 25:12-14, and Numbers 4:1-20 and 7:9 that the ark was to be born on the shoulders of the Kohathites on poles, and it was not to be touched. So, David’s desire was right; he wanted all of Israel to be excited about the presence of God. The problem was, his method was wrong. He did the right thing in the wrong way. He chose a new cart being pulled by oxen, the method the Philistines used to send the ark back to Israel, and it was driven by Strong and friendly. It was a worship service not submitted to the Word. There are a lot of well-intended ministries like this today: we take the pattern of the world and try to apply it to the Church. We get new carts (boards with big wheels as I have heard it put), find someone who is a strong leader and liked by everyone, wrap it all up in a nice time of worship, and think it will work. However, the main emphasis needs to be centered around Jesus and the word of God. If not, we will just be another social club, and in some cases the results can be disastrous like as in the case of Uzzah. As one commentator said, “We are often tempted to judge a worship experience by how it makes us feel. But when we realize that worship is about pleasing God, we are driven to His word so we can know how He wants to be worshipped.”

David was upset about the whole thing, but God struck only one man instead of over 50 thousand as when the ark came back from the Philistines. If David had consulted the Lord first, he could have avoided all this. Nevertheless, he learned his lesson and went back to the word to make sure he was doing things properly. This is what you and I should do as well. If we don’t understand why things happened the way they did, if there is any blame to be had, it lies with us rather than the Lord.

After David heard that the house of Obed-Edom was being blessed because of the ark, he decided to bring the ark to Jerusalem, and it states he did it with gladness. There was no fear because he knew he was following the Word this time. Guzek writes, “We often think that a “new cart” or “strength” or a “friendly” manner is the way to bring the presence and glory of God. But God always wants His presence and glory to come on the shoulders of consecrated, obedient, praising men and women.” Every time those bearing the ark went six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatted sheep. This was obviously excessive sacrifice, but it demonstrated David’s and the people’s desire to please and worship the Lord. Then he danced before the Lord with all his might, setting aside his royal apparel, and  wearing a linen ephod. This is not an excuse for chaos in a worship service, nor is it an excuse to entirely disregard passionate worship before the Lord either. In an appropriate time and place, this form of worship is just as pleasing to the lord as any other form. I believe this is another reason God called David a man after His own heart, because David worshiped Him with all his might, not caring what others thought. So, they brought the ark to Jerusalem with shouting and the sound of the trumpet, set it in the tabernacle David had pitched for it, and then David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord. Then he blessed the people in the name of the Lord, and gave everyone a loaf of bread, a piece of meat, and a cake of raisins. This was another joyous celebration centered around what the Lord was doing in Israel.

Now, when Michal saw the ark coming into Jerusalem and David leaping and whirling before the Lord, it states she despised him in her heart. When David came to bless his own house as he had done to the children of Israel, she came out to meet him, and said, “How glorious was the king of Israel today, uncovering himself today in the eyes of the maids of his servants, as one of the base fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!” She was accusing him of dressing immodestly before the women servants, but he was wearing a linen ephod, a close-fitting outer garment worn by the Levites which was associated with worship. So, it would seem that Michael was more bothered by David’s expression of worship, and her accusations of immodesty were her excuse. Perhaps she was embarrassed that he would make such a spectacle of himself, but David was not doing it for anyone else’s benefit. He was doing it for the Lord. There are those today who are bothered by outward expressions of worship, but if dancing is portrayed as acceptable, then we should probably not be bothered by such expressions of worship as long as they are truly that. Obviously, there is a difference between dancing outside versus in a small congregation where such activities could be distracting or even dangerous, so common sense needs to be applied.

David responded that it was before the Lord who had chosen him above her father to appoint him ruler over Israel. Because of this he would play music before the Lord, and would even be more undignified than this. And for the maidservants, he would be held by them in honor. After this, it would appear that David never had marital relations with Michal again, since she did not have any children the rest of her life. If so, we can understand David’s frustration, but his response was an overreaction, since this is not the Lord’s will for married couples. As is usually the case in marital struggles, both parties were wrong. Michal was wrong for being hard-hearted toward the things of the Lord, and David was wrong for holding this against her the rest of her life. In the following chapter, we will see David set out to build a house for the Lord.

 

2 Samuel 5 - David Made King Over the Nation

Previously in 2 Samuel, we saw the deaths of both Abner and Ishbosheth. In both instances, David whole-heartedly disapproved, and in the case of Ishbosheth, David had the men who killed him put to death. This was going against the cultural norms, and it demonstrated to the people that David was a just ruler. David behaved wisely in each instance, and after this the nation would come to make him king over them.

So, all the tribes came to Hebron to make David king, and the elders anointed him there. This was actually quite the gathering with the elders of Israel and over 340 thousand soldiers present. They were there three days eating and drinking, and the people were bringing in food on donkeys in abundance. It states there was joy in Israel. There is a time to be joyful and celebrate, especially when the Spirit of God is moving and doing a new thing in our midst. Oh, that we would have such a move today in which thousands would be united around the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the teaching of the word of God. In the early Church, they were continuing in the apostles’ teaching, hanging out together, eating, and spending time in prayer.

The elders came to David and said, “Indeed we are your bone and your flesh. Also, in time past, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them in; and the Lord said to you, ‘You shall shepherd My people Israel, and be ruler over Israel.’” In leading God’s people, a few things should be present: First is the person should belong to God’s people (they are a believer). Second, there should be an evident call from God. David had been directly called by God to be king through Samuel, and possibly through other prophets. Third, a godly leader needs to demonstrate the ability to lead. David had been in preparation a long time, but now, some 20 years or so after being called, he was ready. God will use great preparation when the task is great. As one commentator put it, “In God’s plan there is almost always a hidden price of greatness. Often those who become great among God’s people experience much pain and difficulty in God’s training process.” Paul told Timothy that if a man desires the office of a bishop, he desires a good thing, and he then goes on to list the qualifications for that position (1 Tim 3:1-7). Lastly, although less important than the other criteria, it is important that other godly individuals see this calling and ability. Rarely does the Lord call and equip someone without others seeing it. If you or I feel called by the Lord to something, and other godly individuals are not seeing it, it may not be the Lord. Israel saw God’s calling on David’s life, they saw his capability to lead, and they were now on board with God’s plan. David reigned 7 and a half years in Hebron, and he would reign for another 33- and one-half years in Jerusalem, for a total of 40 years.

Now if we recall, David had his eyes on Jerusalem, probably as far back as when he killed Goliath. Why Jerusalem we might ask? First, the Lord told them it was to be an Israelite city, and that they were to cut off all its inhabitants (Exo 23:23-24, Deut 7 :1-2, and 20:17). Second, it was strategically located in the Promised Land, and had not been claimed by any of the tribes of Israel. Third, it sits on a ridge, and is surrounded on three sides by valleys, making it easily defendable. But perhaps the greatest reason is that God put it into David’s heart, since Jerusalem is near and dear to God’s heart. It is mentioned over 800 times in the Bible: it is where Melchizedek reigned (a foreshadow of Jesus Christ, if not actually Him pre-incarnate), it is where David and Solomon prepared and built the temple, it is where Jesus was crucified and raised to life again, and it is where Jesus will rule and reign from just to name a few.

At the time of David, the city of Jerusalem was inhabited by the Jebusites, and they were so confident that it could not be taken that they told David that even the lame and the blind could repel him. David was not detoured by this, but took the stronghold of Zion, naming it the City of David. David told his men that whoever climbed up the water shaft would be his general. Joab was the man who went up the water shaft and conquered Jerusalem. If this was what is known today as Warren’s Shaft, he would have climbed over 50 feet to the top, and then opened the city gate to let in the Israelite soldiers. Joab would be David’s general until his death.

David began building up Jerusalem, and it states he became great, the Lord being with him. He was so well known and respected that the king of Tyre sent supplies and workers to build him a house. It was then that David knew that the Lord had established him king over Israel, and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of His people Israel. Notice how David didn’t take the credit by presuming God did all this for him, but it was for Israel. David simply realized that God was blessing Israel, and he just got to be a part of it. In this way David was a servant to the people, a trait of any godly leader, whereas Saul was in it for himself. He was reigning with humility. He also took more wives and concubines, showing his imperfection and human traits. He was used by God powerfully, but he was a sinful person just like you and me.

When the Philistines found out they had made David king, they went up to look for him. Whenever the Lord is moving, you can count on opposition. The devil does not like to see the kingdom of God advancing, so he will often launch an attack of some sorts to derail or hinder God’s people. When David heard they were coming, he went down to the stronghold, and the Philistines deployed themselves in the valley of Rephaim. David asked God if he should go up against the Philistines, and the Lord told him to go up, for He would certainly deliver them into his hand. So, David went to Rephaim and fought against the Philistines, and defeated them. He named the place Baal Perazim (master of breakthroughs), because he said that the Lord had broken through his enemies like a breakthrough of water. The Lord is the master of breakthroughs for believers today as well if they will seek Him, trust Him for the answer, and obey what He says. The Philistines left their idols there, and David and his men carried them away and burned them. Rather than allowing them to be a temptation or snare for the people, they destroyed them. This was another wise move for a leader, not only for the sake of others, but for his as well. It’s never a good idea to play with or go easy on temptation.

Then the Philistines came up again to battle at Rephaim, and David asked the Lord again what he should do. It may be easy in a situation like this to assume that since we had such great success the first time, we should employ the same tactics this time, but that is not what the Lord told him to do. He told him to circle around behind the Philistines, and when he heard the sound of marching in the Mulberry trees, to advance quickly, for the Lord would go out before them to strike the Philistines. The sound of marching is an interesting phrase, and if the rabbis are correct, it was the sound of angels walking through the treetops, going forth with the Lord to fight for Israel. David did as the Lord told him, and he drove the Philistines back as far as Gezer, a city on the border of Ephraim.

So, David had been told by the Lord he would be king over Israel, and now, some 20 years later, it had finally come to pass. It was not all easy sailing for David after this: he was not running from Saul or fighting with Abner, but the Philistines came looking for him once they found out he was king. It is the same in our Christian walk: the battles may change over time, but they never go away. They never go away because the devil goes about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Our answer is sticking close to the Lord through prayer and the word of God, and then trusting and obeying what He says. In the next chapter we will see David bring the ark to Jerusalem.

 

Galatians 6 - Bearing One Another's Burdens

In my last post, I wrote about the role that works play in the Christian life.  It’s not that works do not matter, for they are an important part in our walk with the Lord.  Paul wrote to the Ephesians,  “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10) We do good works from a stand-point of already being saved, and our primary motivator is love and gratitude. Those who have truly received the grace of God begin to think and act differently.  It is nothing we can do on our own, but it is a work of the Holy Spirit in our lives that produces good fruit.  It comes as a result of abiding in Jesus Christ through faith.

Next, Paul instructs them how they are to treat those who have been overtaken in a fault.  The word overtaken here means to be caught by surprise, as an animal being cornered by a predator.  The idea is that a person has been caught up in a particular sin as a result of being deceived or tripped up by the devil.  He is no less guilty, but our response is different from someone who has willingly jumped into sin and is not repentant.  For those who have been caught up in sin, we are to restore them with a spirit of humility, remembering that we ourselves are subject to like temptations.  I think the temptation often is to be harsh or overly critical of others’ faults, but we tend to go easier on our own.  This is revealing of our own pride and self-righteousness.  The word restore is a medical term meaning to mend or set a broken bone.  Our goal should be to see that person made better, not rub in their face how wrong they were.  If we have been a Christian long enough, we will have made plenty of mistakes, and maybe some really big ones.  Just like you and I, that person needs the grace of God in order to get back on track.  There may be some discipling and instruction from the Word of God that is necessary, but it is for their good and to ensure genuine repentance takes place.  Again, it should be done in humility, remembering where the Lord has brought us from and what we are still capable of apart from the grace of God.  This may not always be an easy task, but we are to bear one another’s burdens.  We should not think that we are above this, for we are all human and have times of need (including needing to be restored).  At the same time we are to bear our own burdens (V 5).  We are not to be needy or spiritually lazy.  There are believers out there who are always depending on others, and have not made up their minds to grow up and mature in the Lord.  Paul wrote to Timothy, “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.” (2 Timothy 2:3-4) We are in a battle, and if we want to mature in the Lord we need to lay aside the sins and any other thing that would distract us from fully serving Him.  We need to discipline ourselves to seek and to serve the Lord whole-heartedly.

Next Paul brings up the principle of sowing and reaping.  Those that are taught the Word of God are to distribute to those who are doing the teaching.  In other words, we are to provide materially to our pastors and elders who are tending the flock and teaching us the Word of God.  This is most commonly done through our tithes and offerings, but in addition it can be through meeting other needs such as maybe fixing their car or working on their roof.  He writes, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (v 7) It would seem that Paul is referring to two different things here: First is the principle of giving.  The only area in Scripture we are told to test the Lord is in the area of giving.  He states in Malachi that when we give to Him (tithe to our local Church)He will open up the windows of Heaven and pour out a blessing in which there will not be enough room to receive it (Malachi 3:10).  I know there are a lot of preachers who abuse this (in particular those on television), but the truth is it is still a Biblical principle.  The Lord does promise to bless us when we give, and when we do not we are subject to the devourer.  The second principle I believe Paul is referring to is whether we are sowing to our flesh (sin nature) or to the Spirit.  If we sow to our flesh we will reap corruption or ruin.  This can be a gradual process in which we allow a little sin into our lives that grows over time, and eventually it can rule or dominate our lives.  It’s kind of like those goat heads that appear in your yard: By the time you notice them they have taken over a corner in your yard.  They grow along with the grass, and are a pain to get rid of.  Sin is the same way: Once we allow it into our lives long enough, it can be hard to get rid of it.  We also have the natural consequences that inevitably come with sin.  Solomon wrote in Proverbs that the way of transgressors is hard (Proverbs 13:15).  It might be enjoyable initially, but it will always bring unnecessary pain and heartache into our lives.  If we choose to sow to the Spirit however, we will reap everlasting life.  We should not be weary in doing what is right, for we will reap a good harvest in due season.  I wonder how much we miss out on blessings because we give up just before the Lord is ready to reward us.  We should do good to everyone, especially to our fellow Christians.

Paul then concludes by coming back to the topic of legalism.  He states the real reason the judaizers want them to be circumcised is to avoid the persecution for the cross of Christ.  They do not keep the very Law they try to impose on others; they only want to feel good about themselves for making others follow their rules.  But rather than glory in getting others to follow rules, we should glory in the cross of Jesus Christ.  For it was on the cross that the Lord redeemed us from the curse of the Law, and has truly set us free.  It is not about keeping or not keeping rules, but being made a new creation in Christ.  True peace and the mercy of God are on those who have believed on Jesus Christ.

In closing, I hope these several posts on the book of Galatians have been refreshing to you as they have been to me.  Everything we have from the Lord is based on a relationship with Jesus Christ by faith, and not by keeping rules and regulations made up by man.  When Jesus was asked by the people what they must do to work the works of God, He answered that they should believe on Him whom God had sent.  In this He was obviously speaking of Himself.  That’s it, guys!  We just have to believe on Jesus, and He does the rest.  He produces good works in us and gives us the power to walk in victory over sin.  The world has been crucified unto us, and we unto the world.  As Paul prayed, to those who name the name of Jesus Christ, I pray the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your Spirit.  Amen.