Moving the Ark to Jerusalem

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from 2 Samuel 6:1-11. David gathered all the chosen men of Israel, which during that time was a total of thirty thousand. David and the men went from Baale of Judah to bring the ark of God, which is called by that name because the LORD of hosts dwells between the cherubims of the ark. The ark of God was sacred and holy.

1 Chronicles 13 is almost the same as this Scripture. There are a few details that are different in the story. 1 Chronicles 13:1-2 tells us that David consulted with all the leaders of Israel and the congregation, but there is no mention of David praying and asking God what He thought about this decision.

You may wonder why it took so many men to escort the ark of God back to Jerusalem. Remember that the ark was taken from them once before when they were in a battle with the Philistines. They probably needed all those men to protect the ark of God.

There were certain rules regarding the ark of God which are mentioned in Numbers 4. They were to carry it on poles. They were not to touch the ark. But, they didn’t follow the instructions concerning the ark and the consequences were deadly.

The first mistake they made was putting the ark of God on a cart, even though it was a new cart, the ark was supposed to be carried on poles. Maybe they were thinking it would be easier to transport the ark on a cart. After all they had seen the Philistines transport it this way when the took the ark. So they followed the ways of the Philistines instead of the ways of God.

They brought the ark from the house of Abinadab which was in Gibeah. Abinadab’s sons, Uzzah and Ahio, drove the cart. Ahio led the way by going in front of the ark.

David was excited to have the ark coming to Jerusalem. David had always been a worshiper of God and he was looking forward to getting the people of Jerusalem back to worshiping God.

David and all the men of Israel celebrated by playing their instruments before the LORD. The instruments were made of fir wood. They played harps, psalteries, timbrels (tambourine), cornets (rattle), and cymbals. They were making a joyful noise to the LORD.

As they entered Nachon’s threshing (barn) floor with the ark, the oxen stumbled (1 Chronicles 13:9) and shook the ark. Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, which was strictly forbidden.

Why would Uzzah do such a thing? Did he not know what the laws were governing the ark? Could he have gotten so used to being around the ark that he forgot? Was he trying to protect the ark?

Whatever his reason, it angered the LORD and His anger raged against Uzzah. God smote him instantly because of his actions. Uzzah died right beside the ark of God.

David was upset because of the LORD’s outburst of anger against Uzzah. David named the place Perezuzzah, which means, “breach of Uzza,” since Uzza died there.

David feared the LORD and wondered how he could take the ark of God with him. David decided not to take the ark of the LORD with him to Jerusalem at that time, instead he took the ark to the house of Obededom the Gittite.

The ark of God remained at the house of Obededom for three months and the LORD blessed him and his household.

Are there times when we don’t consult God, but move on our own ideas as David did in this instance? Are there times when we try to make our worship of God convenient or easy? Are there times when we don’t honor God by the way we worship Him? Are there times when we make worship about other things instead of worshiping God?

Daily Bible Reading:

2 Samuel 6:1-11

1 Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
8 And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perezuzzah to this day.
9 And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?
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 Obededom the Gittite.
11 And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obededom, and all his household.

Things to think about:

How many men did David take with him to get the ark of God?

Why did David need so many men to go with him to get the ark?

Where did they go to get the ark?

Who were the two men who escorted the ark?

How did David and his men celebrate the fact that they were taking the ark to Jerusalem?

What terrible incident happened as they were transporting the ark?

What did David decide to do with the ark at that time?

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we read this Scripture in 2 Samuel we see that David and his men were excited about bringing the ark of God back to Jerusalem. Help us to understand that there are some things that are sacred and holy. Help us to always honor You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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