The Ark Comes Back to Jerusalem – Adult STS Lesson 236
“And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD”
2 Samuel 6:17 (Memory Verse)
Introduction
The last time we read about the Ark of the Lord was after its glorious solo outing against the Philistines who took it away in their battle against Israel. However, the Philistines were compelled to return it with perceived “trespass offering” because the hand of the Lord was heavy on them and their gods. The men of Bethshemesh, the ark’s first port of call in Israel, lost more than five thousand souls because, with undue liberty, they peered into it. The Ark finally found a resting place for twenty years in the house of Abinadab the Levite (1 Samuel 5:6; 6:1-31; 7:1,2).
During the reign of Saul, the Ark was hardly brought into public service except once in the prelude to one of Saul’s wars with the Philistines (1 Samuel 14:18). On the contrary, David’s heart went after it as soon as he was established on the throne, hence he said, “…let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we enquired not at it in the days of Saul” (1 Chronicles 13:3). David’s action reflects an appreciation of God’s role in his enthronement and portends a determination to restore proper worship and godly principles in his kingdom. A worldly king would have been thinking about a pompous, self-serving venture to embark on or which pleasure to pursue now that the throne is firmly established in his hand.
David’s first attempt at bringing back the Ark into its proper place was a disastrous failure, for “the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order” (1 Chronicles 15:13). But he did not give up at the first failure; rather, he learned from his mistakes and afterwards brought the Ark to its rightful place.
DECISION TO BRING BACK THE ARK
2 Samuel 6:1-4; 1 Samuel 4:3-6; 1 Chronicles 15:3; 1 Corinthians 10:9; 1 Chronicles 13:1-3
“And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims” (2 Samuel 6:2). The ark meant so much to the children of Israel because it symbolised God’s holy presence, power and blessing (1 Samuel 4:3; Joshua 3:13). Its obscurity during the reign of King Saul spelt gloom and defeat for them, even after its return from the land of the Philistines (1 Samuel 6:7-21; 7:1,2).
For Saul’s forty years in the saddle, he relegated the ark to the background and gave no prominence to national piety. It was therefore not surprising that he made so many mistakes, never corrected his wrong steps, lived in disobedience and died tragically. Children of God should cultivate the presence of God’s Holy Spirit, observe the holy ordinances and tokens of His word, such as regular quiet time, prayer and obedience to His word. These help to escape the multiple pitfalls associated with spiritual dryness. The ultimate desire of every child of God should be to attract and retain God’s presence in their lives and families. Just as David decided to bring back the ark, we should long after God’s presence, power, holiness and the joy of harvesting dying souls into His kingdom. With Christ representing the present-day ark, we must teach every family member, friend or associate the knowledge of His salvation so as to avail ourselves of the grace He communicates to His faithful followers.
With the support of thirty thousand chosen men, the king “set the ark of god upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart” (2 Samuel 6:3). David made it an auspicious occasion both in honour to God and to engender His veneration in the hearts of the younger generation of the Israelites. Likewise, we should, by example, cultivate the fear and honour of God in the younger generation.
DEMISE OF UZZAH FOR CONTEMPT
2 Samuel 6:6-11; 2 Kings 2:23-25; Psalm 19:12,13; Hebrews 10:29; 2 Peter 2:10; Psalm 50:16
Though commendable, David’s attempt to bring back the ark was not pursued with due care and in accordance with God’s laid down commandment. While it was in transit towards the city of David, “…Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error, and there he died by the ark of God” (2 Samuel 6:6). Uzzah’s sudden death put a great and immediate damper upon the joy of the occasion and stopped the ark’s progress to the city of David. His action was termed a transgression before the holy God, who killed him for being presumptuous.
The children of Israel had been instructed on the proper transportation of the ark from place to place, and it was the responsibility of the sons of Kohath to carry it on poles supported upon their shoulders (Numbers 1:50,51; 4:15; 1 Chronicles 15:15). Touching it amounted to an act of presumption or taking God for granted, talkless of Uzzah or any other person attempting to hold it. They had earlier been warned to avoid presumptuous sin. “And the man that will do presumptuously-… even that man shall die… And all the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously” (Deuteronomy 17:12,13).
The all-knowing God sees that Uzzah’s supposed zeal smacks of undue familiarity and contempt of His holiness; perhaps Uzzah felt his family had hosted the ark for months. Men ought to reckon that though God is love, He is also “a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29). Sacred things must be handled with reverence, care and caution. Believers must not manifest zeal without knowledge, but be conversant with God’s will and word while zealously serving Him (Romans 10:2). We should avoid all rashness and irreverence in handling holy things since God will be sanctified in those who come close to Him even in this dispensation of grace.
We must not conduct ourselves in any manner suggesting that we are familiar with God or His word, or lean on our understanding because with prayer is dangerous. Many of the children of Israel lost their lives in the wilderness because of presumptuous acts. The Scripture warns, “But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people” (Numbers 15:30). Again, if it was such a great sin in the sight of God for someone who had no right to touch the ark, how much greater sin it is for those who do not live according to the covenant of God’s grace in Christ to try to claim the privileges of it? (Psalm 50:16).
The breach and the judgment on Uzzah forced David and his people to abandon the programme of bringing the ark back to Jerusalem, albeit temporarily. Instead, it was taken to the house of Obededom where it “continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obededom, and all his household” (2 Samuel 6:11).
DEMONSTRATION OF JOY IN THE LORD
2 Samuel 6:12-15,17-19; 1 Chronicles 23:5; 15:16,27; Psalm 81:1
As soon as David heard that “The LORD hath blessed the house of Obededom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obededom into the city of David with gladness” (2 Samuel 6:12). The king perceived that God had forgiven their transgression and was now favourable to them. As he read God’s frown against them in Uzzah’s death, he also read His favour to them in Obededom’s prosperity. If we repent genuinely and make necessary corrections, God will surely forgive (Isaiah 1:18,19; 1 John 2:1).
The blessing that came upon Obededom showed that as the ark was a huge blessing to godly Israel, it was a great curse to God’s enemies and to the disobedient ones (Exodus 14:20). All believers should give God the first place in their lives knowing that those who truly reconcile with Him have the opportunity to enjoy His blessings always (Romans 5:1; 8:31,32). As Christ is a blessing to all, sinners and backsliders should welcome Him into their lives. He said, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20). David did not allow the initial setback to scuttle the project of bringing back the ark, which teaches us that those who have fallen from the faith can still rise again if they obey the Lord (Job 22:29; Micah 7:8).
As the ark entered the royal city, “David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod” (2 Samuel 6:14). His action was, first, a reflection of how much he loved the Lord. He counted it a great privilege to serve Him. Second, though a king, he forgot his royalty and abandoned himself in God’s hands. We cannot serve God with all our hearts if we are too conscious of our position, prestige and fame. If we are obsessed with our social status and what unbelievers will say about us, we might not be able to give everything to the Lord. Third, David was not ashamed to be associated with the Lord and His service. Fourth, he served with all his might, heart and soul. Our service to God should not be half-hearted, but total. How believers need to cultivate these attributes of David in order to be their best for the Lord!
As soon as the ark was lodged in Jerusalem, David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings to God for His continual favour. Believers must appreciate God for all He has done for them. They should express their praises, prayers and humble service, and avoid all forms of ungodliness. Besides, our worship sessions must be devoid of frivolities and worldliness or anything that would drive His presence away from us.
DANGER OF DESPISING GOD’S ANOINTED
2 Samuel 6:16,20-23; Numbers 12:1-10; 16:1-5,31-35; Ecclesiastes 10:20; Psalm 105:15; Acts 23:3-5; 1 Peter 3:10
David’s deep devotion and heart-felt service to the nation was misunderstood and despised by no distant person but his own wife, Michal. She felt that her husband-king was not dignified enough before the people and had behaved in a manner unbecoming of royalty. “…And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!” (2 Samuel 6:20). She had forgotten that it is a great honour to be associated with the King of the kings, and, anyone thus privileged should, in the words of a songwriter, “Count their richest gain but loss and pour contempt on all their pride”. David never forgot his humble beginning. He did not think he had become too big or dignified to sing and dance before God. Rather, he humbled himself not minding his royal status. No one should be too ‘great’ to serve God or too ‘dignified’ to undertake any assignment for Him. Jesus says, “Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels” (Mark 8:38). Michal reproached David unjustly for his devotion and came under a perpetual reproach of barrenness. Believers are not to speak evil of God’s servants or despise those that are sent by Him to feed them with the word of life.
True Christians must strive to uphold and bring back the presence of God where it is noticed to have departed. They must restore His praise in their personal lives, fellowship, community and nation through holy living. Sinners and backsliders too, should welcome Christ, the living ark into their lives and make Him their Master and Lord.
Questions for Review
- What can we learn from the initial failure and David’s final resolve to bring back the ark?
- How can believers enjoy God’s continual presence in their lives?
- What are the inherent dangers when God’s standard is compromised?
- What can believers learn from God’s wrath on Uzzah?
- Mention lessons from David’s new commitment to bring back the ark.
- How should believers respond to God’s goodness in their lives?
- What are the dangers of despising God’s word or ministers?