By Douglas K. Wilson, Ph.D.
Dean, Office for Global Engagement, University of Mobile
CELEBRATED
2 Samuel 5:9–12, 6:12–19
Recognized (5:9–12)
Once David’s monarchy was firmly established, his headquarters were moved from Hebron to Jerusalem. The Lord orchestrated an alliance between David and the Phoenician king, Hiram of Tyre, an alliance that ensured strong building collaboration for the palace and later for Solomon’s temple. The armies of Israel defeated the Jebusites and removed them from their mountain stronghold, but David recognized that the Lord God of Hosts granted Israel the victory.
History bears out that God enables His people to recognize and rejoice in His faithfulness.
Throughout God’s Word, believers have recognized God’s faithful presence and provision. Abraham called the place where Isaac was spared “the Lord will provide” (Gen. 22:14). Jeremiah called Israel’s God “the Lord our righteousness” (Jer. 23:6) and confessed God’s faithfulness in the midst of Judah’s downfall (Lam. 3:23). Paul encouraged the congregation at Philippi with these words: “My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19).
Renowned missionary Hudson Taylor stated, “God’s work done God’s way will never lack God’s supply.”
Before we can honor or celebrate God’s presence and provision, we must recognize and acknowledge Him. Unfortunately we often boast in our achievements but blame God in our afflictions. May God grant us spiritual eyes to see how He is at work (see John 5:17, 19).
Honored (6:12–16)
God is holy and He enables and requires holiness from His people (Lev. 11:44–45). The Ark of the Covenant had been mishandled ever since it was removed from the tabernacle (1 Sam. 3). Eli’s sons took it into battle, resulting in the loss of the Ark, the battle and their lives. The Philistines captured the Ark but suffered while it was in their possession, so they returned it to Israel on a cart (1 Sam. 4–6).
Israelites also transported the Ark by cart, resulting in Uzzah’s death for touching it. David distanced himself from the Ark, leaving it in the keeping of Obed-edom. Though David was angry with God over Uzzah, the Holy One exacted justice by punishing Israel’s blatant disregard for God’s instructions regarding the ark (Ex. 25:14–15; Lev. 16:2; Num. 3:31–32; Deut. 31:24–26).
David discovered that God blessed Obed-edom while the Ark was there, so he brought the Ark to Jerusalem. To honor God with sacrifice he dressed in a linen ephod and offered multiple sacrifices.
In celebration he danced with reckless abandon as an act of worship before the Lord, whose presence was represented by the Ark. His wife Michal pretentiously thought his behavior was unbefitting a king (6:16, 20) yet David’s intent was to honor the King of glory.
God receives honor when we worship Him in obedience. Saul lost his kingdom because of his inability to obey the Lord. In 1 Chronicles 15 (a parallel to 2 Sam. 6), David instructed Israel to obey God’s Word, with only consecrated Levites carrying the ark on poles. Uzzah’s costly lesson had been learned: Obedience is not optional.
Celebrated (6:17–19)
In addition to honoring God through obedience, David celebrated the Ark’s arrival in Jerusalem in a variety of ways. He constructed a tent to house the Ark, he offered sacrifices of praise to God and he gave food to each participant. David clearly understood that loving God is demonstrated by loving one’s neighbor. As the writer of Hebrews exhorts, “Don’t neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices” (13:16).
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