2 SAMUEL LESSON 7
We will begin this lesson in II Samuel 6:1 "Again, David gathered
together all [the] chosen [men] of Israel, thirty thousand."
Thirty thousand of the chosen men were representative of each of
the tribes. There were the choicest of the military from all the
tribes, but there were elders and well respected men from each tribe,
as well. David tried to impress upon them the necessity of them being
one nation under God. Jerusalem has been recognized as their capital.
II Samuel 6:2 "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."
Jerusalem will not be truly thought of as their capital, until
they get the ark of the covenant permanently headquartered there. This
mutual place of worship will draw them even closer together as one
nation. It appears, there is a break in the fighting, and they are
going after the ark. The ark symbolized the presence of the LORD with
them. Baale, here, is, probably, the same as the city of woods. It is
just out of Jerusalem about 8 miles. It appears, these 30,000 men had
agreed that it was time to bring the ark to their capital.
II Samuel 6:3 "And they 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."
David had made an error here. He was not supposed to have the ark
on a cart. It was to be carried by the family of the Levites, and even
they were supposed to have it covered with a cloth that it might not
be seen. Even they were not to touch the ark itself. It was carried by
poles through loops on the sides. This is not a willful act of sin on
the part of David. Much of the teaching of the proper way to handle
the ark in travel had long since been forgotten. David wanted deeply
in his heart to please God. The ark had been in safe keeping in the
house of Abinadab. Uzzah and Ahio could have been the great grandsons
of Abinidab. Sometimes, the word son means grandson, or descendent of.
II Samuel 6:4 "And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab
which [was] at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went
before the ark."
It seems, from this, that Ahio was in the front of the ark
leading the way, and Uzzah was at the side watching it.
II Samuel 6:5 "And David and all the house of Israel played
before the LORD on all manner of [instruments made of] fir wood, even
on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on
cymbals."
This was like a joyful parade taking the ark to their capital.
There was music and dancing by David and many of the chosen people in
front of the ark. This was like a marching band in a parade, but the
parade, here, was of a spiritual nature. They were singing praises to
the LORD, playing wooden instruments, such as guitars and harps, and
dancing in front of the ark.
II Samuel 6:6 "And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor,
Uzzah put forth [his hand] to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for
the oxen shook [it]."
It seemed, the ark was about to fall over, and Uzzah reached up
to stop its fall. It was strictly forbidden to touch the ark. He had
made a bad mistake.
II Samuel 6:7 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.
Uzzah had not deliberately done the forbidden thing. He had
reached out to the ark on impulse, when he thought it was falling.
Some modernist would question why, such a thing would happen. We must
realize the holiness of the ark. God had given specific instructions
about the caring and moving of it. Ignorance of the law is no excuse.
This, probably, benefited those around it. It would leave a lasting
impression on those who saw this, not to touch the ark. In Numbers
chapter 4 verse 15, there are specific instructions not to touch the
holy things, lest ye die.
II Samuel 6:8 "And David was displeased, because the LORD had
made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perez-
uzzah to this day."
David was displeased with such a harsh punishment, when he, or
Uzzah, meant no harm at all. It seemed to David, as if the LORD was
suddenly angry with them. "Perez-Uzzah" means breach of Uzzah.
II Samuel 6:9 "And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and
said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?"
David, suddenly, is afraid of the LORD. Now, David was not so
sure he wanted the ark to go with him to Jerusalem. He had meant no
harm. David will not take the ark into the city of David at this time.
He realizes there is much about the ark he does not understand. He
takes it to the home of the nearest Levite.
II Samuel 6:10 "So David would not remove the ark of the LORD
unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the
house of Obed-edom the Gittite."
Obed-edom was spoken of as a Gittite, but was of the Levitical
tribe. He was actually a Korahite which is of the Levitical tribe.
He was born in one of the Levitical cities of Dan.
II Samuel 6:11 "And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of
Obed-edom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obed-edom,
and all his household."
We see that for the three months time that the ark is in the
hands of Obed-edom, they are greatly blessed. It is not a curse, but a
blessing, when it is properly handled. It appears that, this three
months was spent finding out exactly what they had done wrong, when
the moved the ark at first.
II Samuel 6:12 "And it was told king David, saying, The LORD
hath blessed the house of Obed-edom, 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 Obed-edom into the city of David with
gladness."
David wanted the presence of the LORD, which the ark symbolized,
to be with him in the city of David. Again, there was music, and
dancing, and singing of praise, as the ark was carried to the city of
David from Obed-edom. This time the priests had been consulted, and
they knew more about how to carry the ark.
II Samuel 6:13 "And it was [so], that when they that bare the ark
of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings."
David wanted to be sure, this trip with the ark was blessed of
God. The sacrifices were for that purpose. They were sacrificed to
insure the blessings of the LORD in the moving of the ark.
II Samuel 6:14 "And David danced before the LORD with all [his]
might; and David [was] girded with a linen ephod."
David was overwhelmed by the Spirit of the LORD, and danced
before the ark. He had taken off his kingly robes, and danced as a
child would. He wore the linen garment which indicated righteousness.
He was symbolically clothed in the righteousness the LORD provides for
those who believe. The linen ephod showed that he was wrapped in the
righteousness of the LORD.
II Samuel 6:15 "So David and all the house of Israel brought up
the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet."
This was a happy occasion bringing the ark to their capital. The
shouting was expressing their happiness at their worship being
restored in their capital. The trumpet was blown to gather the people
to worship.
II Samuel 6:16 "And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of
David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king
David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her
heart."
Michal thought of David as the mighty king. She was ashamed that
he had humbled himself in such a manner.
II Samuel 6:17 "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."
David had, probably, found out from the priests the way the
tabernacle should be set up, and he has this one as nearly like the
tabernacle in the wilderness as he can. The actual offerings were
taken care of by the priests, but they were given by David for this
occasion. David was pleased to have the ark at home, at last in the
city of David.
II Samuel 6:18 "And as soon as David had made an end of offering
burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name
of the LORD of hosts."
David was not the high priest, but was the anointed of God to
lead His nation Israel. It would be proper for David to speak the
blessing of the LORD upon these people.
II Samuel 6:19 "And he dealt among all the people, [even] among
the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every
one a cake of bread, and a good piece [of flesh], and a flagon [of
wine]. So all the people departed every one to his house."
The sacrifice offered by David, is now, shared by all the people.
He gives each person a piece of the meat, a portion of bread, and a
portion of wine. A city is not home to a believer, until their place
of worship is there. Joy has returned to Israel. Everyone went home
happy.
II Samuel 6:20 "Then David returned to bless his household. 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 day
in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain
fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!"
David had blessed all the other families, now it is time to care
for his own family. The feast, that took place in his house, would be
attended by his wives and children. Michal was too proud. She thought
David should have worn his kingly robes in front of the ark, instead
of clothes fit for a servant. "Vain", here, means worthless. She did
not want David to appear as an ordinary man, and especially in front
of the servant girls.
II Samuel 6:21 "And David said unto Michal, [It was] before the
LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to
appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore
will I play before the LORD."
David had humbled himself before the LORD in public. He was not
ashamed to be thought of as the LORD's servant. He knew that what
authority he had, came from the LORD. This was the same LORD who had
chosen David, and anointed David king of all Israel. He had put down
the house of Saul, and elevated David to king. Michal was like her
father Saul. She put too much emphasis on superiority of people, and
not the superiority of the LORD over all.
II Samuel 6:22 "And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will
be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast
spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour."
These maidservants understood, better than Michal did, that David
was humbling himself before Almighty God. David did not think of
himself more highly than he should. He humbled himself before the
LORD, and would do it again, if the occasion arose. His only regret
was that he could not have humbled himself even more. The maidservants
will honor David even more, knowing that he regards the LORD that
greatly.
II Samuel 6:23 "Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no
child unto the day of her death."
Having children was thought of by the Hebrews as a blessing from
God. The blessings of God were not upon her, because she would not
humble herself. She never had any children because of her pride.
2 Samuel 7 Questions
1. How many chosen men of Israel did David assemble?
2. Who did they represent?
3. What was David trying to impress upon the people?
4. Where did David go, and take these people with him?
5. When will Jerusalem be thought of as the capital of the people?
6. How did they carry the ark?
7. What was the only way permissable to carry the ark?
8. Whose house had the ark been in?
9. Why was the ark to be covered with a cloth?
10. Why did they not know this way of carrying the ark would be a sin?
11. Who were the two young relatives of Abinadab, that went to help
with the ark?
12. Where did David go in this group of people carrying the ark?
13. What was David doing?
14. How did this differ from a marching band in a parade?
15. Where was the ark, when Uzzah put forth his hand and touched it?
16. Where {in the Bible} do we find specific instructions not to touch
the holy things?
17. What happened to Uzzah?
18. Why was David displeased with what happened?
19. Why did David not continue on with the ark?
20. Where do they take the ark?
21. ____-_______ was a Levite.
22. While the ark was in his possession, what happened to Obed-edom?
23. How long did the ark remain with him?
24. What did David do, after they had gone 6 paces with it?
25. What was David wearing before the ark?
26. How did he show his gladness?
27. What did the people with David do in celebration?
28. What caused Michal to despise David in her heart?
29. Where did they put the ark?
30. What was the first thing done by David, after the ark arrived?
31. He blessed the people in the ________ of the ________.
32. Who came to meet David?
33. "Vain", in verse 20, means what?
34. Why had David done the dancing before the ark in the linen ephod?
35. Quote 2 Samuel chapter 6 verse 23.
Home