2 Samuel 6 – GETTING IT RIGHT
King David was known as a man after God’s own heart. However David was not perfect. He tried to do the right thing in the wrong way. Eventually however, he would end up getting it right.
By way of background, David had been crowned King of the Tribe of Judah after the death of Saul. There was rebellion on the part of the rest of Israel. After a long war, the two nations were united as Israel. David conquered Jerusalem, and made it the capital city.
HAVE GOOD INTENTIONS – Vss. 1-2
Vss. 1-2 – The Ark was probably the most valuable artifact that Israel possessed. But it wasn’t a big boat!
The Ark of the Covenant was the place where God chose to place His presence in a tangible form on earth. It was to be kept in the “Holy of Holies” in the tabernacle or temple.
Years before the Philistines had captured the Ark, but returned it in a few months. They put it on a new cart, had a couple of cattle pull it, and sent it back to Israel. Eventually it was brought to the house of a man named Abinadab, and remained there for many years.
When David became king this is where the Ark was still residing.
David decided that it was time to bring the Ark to Jerusalem. Jerusalem was the capital city, and the place where the Ark should have been. This would also allow David to centralize the worship of the Lord, and David would also have the Lord’s tangible presence close to himself.
David had good intentions.
He gathered his army together, probably for safety, and traveled the few miles it was away in order to bring the Ark to Jerusalem.
I personally feel that good intentions are, well, good!
Good intentions are good especially when they are centered abound loving, serving, and knowing God. Deuteronomy 6:4-5
I have to add that good intentions are not enough. David acted on his good intentions, and we need to act on ours. As we’ll see in a moment, David didn’t do what he intended to do in the right way. We need to act in the right way to accomplish our good intentions.
LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP – Vss. 3-5
In other words, think and pray it through.
Do it right the first time.
Make sure you are doing it the way God wants it to be done.
Vss. 3-5 – They put the ark on a new cart. This was not the way that the Lord wanted the Ark transported.
There were even rings attached to the ark so polls could be put through them. Exodus 37:3-5
It was the Levites who were to carry the Ark and the Ark was not to be touched. The sons of Kohath, who were to transport the holy things were told not to touch them lest they die.
DON’T TAKE GOD LIGHTLY – Vss. 6-10
Vss. 6-7 – God’s word, said, “Don’t Touch!”
Uzzah did what he shouldn’t have done.
He touched it!
God struck him dead.
Vss. 7-10 – David had two reactions. First, he was displeased with God. God did what David didn’t want. God was not as gracious as David thought he should be. David was forgetting just how holy and righteous God is.
Secondly David was afraid of the Lord. He was afraid that something else would happen. And rather than take any chances of another catastrophe, the ark was move to the home of a man named Obed-edom.
TRY AGAIN – Vss. 11-19
We don’t always get a second chance after we’ve tried to do the right thing the wrong way. But when we do get a second chance, we should take it.
Vs. 11 – For three months the Ark stayed in the home of Obed-edom. Obviously nobody touched it. But because the presence of God was there, the people were blessed.
Vs. 12 – David heard of the blessings, and I believed that this prompted Him to have the blessings of God’s presence.
1 Chronicles 15 tells us that David prepared a tent in which to put the Ark. Then it tells us that David realized that the Ark was to be carried by the Levites. Then David gathered the religious leaders together and gave them instructions. 1 Chronicles 15:12-14
Vs. 13 – They took six steps and then stopped and offered a sacrifice to God. I believe now that David was sincerely trying to do what was right.
Vss. 14-15 – There was great joy and worship on the part of David and his people.
There was joy because they were doing it the right way and knew it.
There was freedom in their worship because they were doing it the right way.
David and his people were free because they were going according to the Book.
What good intentions have you had that have failed?
Go to the Word of God. Find out how to do it right, and try again!
EXPECT CRITICISM – Vss. 20-23
Whenever we try to do what is right for God there will be opposition. Psalm 34:19, 2 Timothy 3:12
Vs. 16 – David’s original wife, Michal, was King Saul’s daughter. And although she loved David at one time, she didn’t love him now. For whatever reason, she despised him.
Vss. 17-19 – David worshipped, offered, and gave his people a portion of food.
Vs. 20- David comes home to bless his own household, and he is confronted by Michal.
Watch it! When things are going the best, Satan will attack, and often through someone you know. She accused him of acting in an indiscrete way.
Vss. 21-22 – David’s reaction was to remind her that God had given him the kingdom instead of her father, and that he had every right to worship God.