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 (see 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 (see 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 scriptural instructions for transporting the Ark (see 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 (see 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 (see 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 (see 2 Sam.6:12-13 c.f. 1 Chron.15:2-15). This time the Ark was borne by the Levites (see 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 along the way (see 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 (2 Sam.6:21-22). 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 (see 1 Sam.9:1; 10:20-21; 2 Sam.7:12-16).