2 Samuel 6:1-23
Q.1. What had David planned to do? How had they prepared for moving the Ark? What went wrong? What was the aftermath? – (2 Sam.7:1-11)
David had planned to bring the Ark to Jerusalem – which is called by the Name, the very name of the Lord of hosts who is enthroned above the cherubim (2 Sam.6:2). He went to great trouble and had gathered thirty thousand chosen men of Israel to accompany the event along with celebrations – with all kinds of instruments made of wood, and with lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals (2 Sam.6:5 c.f. 2 Sam.6:1). The Ark had been taken to Kiriath-jearim in Judah on a cart built by the lords of the Philistines (1 Sam.6:8-11; 7:1-2). There it was cared for by Eleazar in the house of Abinadab, and now his priestly sons Uzzah and Ahio – were leading the new cart (2 Sam.6:3). When the oxen upset the Ark – Uzzah reached out toward the ark of God and took hold of it … And the anger of the Lord burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down there for his irreverence; and he died there by the ark of God (2 Sam.6:6-7). The Priests should have known that the Ark was to be carried on poles by the Levitical priests, and David should have been careful to follow the Scriptures (c.f. Exo.25:10-15; Deut.10:8; Josh.3:3-4). After Uzzah was struck dead, David was angry and reluctant to move the Ark. He took the Ark to the house of Obed-edom where it stayed for three months (2 Sam.6:8-11).
Q.2. What prompted David to bring the Ark to Jerusalem? What was different? Why did Michal despise him? How did David bless the people? Was the childlessness of Michal significant? – (2 Sam.7:12-23)
Hiram, king of Tyre had helped David make a palace for himself and a place to pitch a tent for the Ark of God (2 Sam.5:11 c.f. 1 Chron.15:1). David heard that the Lord had blessed the house of Obed-edom. He realised his mistake and was determined to follow God’s instructions carefully (2 Sam.6:12-13 c.f. 1 Chron.15:2-15). This time the Ark was borne by the Levites (2 Sam.6:13). The occasion was huge with hundreds of priests and Levites, singers and musicians, elders, and captains of thousands – bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouting and the sound of trumpet (2 Sam.6:15 c.f. 1 Chron.15:3-28). David was dancing with all his might in a linen tunic. The priests constantly made sacrifices with burnt offerings and peace offerings (2 Sam.6:14, 17-18). David blessed his people by giving all the participants – a cake of bread, and one of dates, and one of raisins (2 Sam.6:19). Sadly, his relationship with his first love had soured. Michal despised David and commented sarcastically – How the king of Israel distinguished himself today! He uncovered himself today in the eyes of his servants’ maids as one of the foolish ones shamelessly uncovers himself! (2 Sam.6:20). David protested – 21 It was before the Lord, who chose me above your father and above all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the Lord, over Israel; therefore, I will celebrate before the Lord. 22 I will be more lightly esteemed than this and will be humble in my own eyes, but with the maids of whom you have spoken, with them I will be distinguished. The rivalry between the house of Saul and the house of David ran deep. It was recorded that – Michal the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death (2 Sam.6:23). The Messiah was to be from the house of David and the tribe of Judah, and not the house of Saul or the tribe of Benjamin (c.f. a Sam.9:1; 10:20-21; 2 Sam.7:12-16).