David brings the Ark to Jerusalem
We are continuing to look at King David’s story this week. Last week we looked at how David was anointed as King of all Israel, how he united the people of Israel, and established Jerusalem as the capital city. … In our reading today we see David bringing the Ark of the Covenant to the city he has recently established as the capital.
We have also looked at the idea that humanity was created to have a kind if dominion, a rule, over creation as they reflected God’s image into the creation. (An idea I heard from Bishop Robert Barron). Some even see their God-given task as being to spread Eden- to govern all of the earth under God, and under the direction of God’s good, created order. They were to be kingly shepherds who govern creation. This kingly rule was lost at the fall, when the couple trusted a creature (a serpent) rather than God.
God has been trying to reconstitute this call. At one time through Noah, and the ‘Eden’ of creation preserved on the Ark. And then through the family of Abraham. Through this family, God had been trying to create a kingly people who can spread the ways of God across the world. The people had not lived up to this role to be a light to the nations (See Isaiah Is 42:6; 49:6; 52:10; 60:3). They were often influenced by the idolatry of the nations, rather than influencing the nations with the wisdom of God. They had often gone the way of Adam (and Eve) in not imaging God to the creation, and living fully under God’s direction. So the desire to renew this calling within humanity is constantly thwarted by Sin. … The first King, Saul, was not successful, but there is renewed hope with David. David is by no means a perfect person, but he seems to love God passionately and is willing to follow God’s direction with the same passion.
David has established the new capital of Jerusalem, as we said. And now he is going to bring the Ark of the Covenant, which seems to have been forgotten under Saul’s reign. This is the gold plated box/throne made of wood that was made under the direction of Moses at the base of Mt. Sinai. It housed the tablets of the law, the rod of Aaron (that was used as a conduit of God’s miracles in Egypt), as well as some of the manna that sustained the people in the wilderness. It also had two winged cherubim on top. The Ark was to be brought to the new capital city so that it would become the unifying center of the people of Israel. To be a successful people, they had to unify themselves under God.
King David gathers a kind of army to escort the Ark. We read,
“all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand” (2 Sam 6:1).
They placed it on a new cart, which means it had never been used for anything common. It was set apart for God’s use, which is a decent definition of “holy” in the Old Testament. While the ark is being brought, the people dance and sing and play instruments. It seems like an incredibly joyous procession.
But something strange happens, and the Revised Common Lectionary cuts it out. One of the Sons of the man who had been caring for the Ark in its previous location, Uzzah, reaches out his hand to steady the ark when it shook in the ox cart. We read,
But something strange happens, and the Revised Common Lectionary cuts it out. One of the Sons of the man who had been caring for the Ark in its previous location, Uzzah, reaches out his hand to steady the ark when it shook in the ox cart. We read,
“The anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah; and God struck him there because he reached out his hand to the ark; and he died there beside the ark of God” (2 Sam 6:7).
It is a strange thing to try to understand. Even David is disturbed by this. We read,
“David was angry because the Lord had burst forth with an outburst upon Uzzah; … David was afraid of the Lord that day; he said, ‘How can the ark of the Lord come into my care?’ So David was unwilling to take the ark of the Lord into his care in the city of David; instead David took it to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.” (2 Sam 6:8-10).
… This is a very strange thing, but intimacy with God in the Old Testament is like dealing with a power that is beyond comprehension. In the Old Testament, rules and rituals are put in place to keep the people safe while dealing with the things of God. To get things wrong with God, even by a degree can mean disaster. It’s like aiming a rocket at the moon. A degree off at launch can mean missing the moon entirely. It seems like a small thing, but the consequences lead to something big. … Sometimes love can look strict, even harsh. … Children don’t always see where their mistakes are leading. What it the big deal about stepping off the sidewalk onto the road? It’s just a little step? From the child’s point of view, it seems like an overreaction when the parent runs screaming towards them, angrily telling them to not go on the road. But the parent knows something the child doesn’t, and love can look fierce when telling them to get off the road.
In Exodus 25 God gives very direct instruction to use poles of acacia wood, overlaid with gold, inserted through the rings on the side of the Ark to carry it (Ex 25:13-15). It seems like a minute detail, but we saw with Saul that he had a tendency to follow God’s direction 95% of the way, and disobey 5%. It was a kind of disregarding of God’s direction that allows other authority to sneak in. Idols sneak into that 5% gap and God wants that gap closed. … David was bringing the Ark by ox cart, when it should have been carried by poles. It was that 5% disobedience that allowed for Uzzah to be struck down. The ox cart was quicker, but it was cutting a corner that was a little disobedience. It was an error in trajectory. The ultimate plan is to put human beings into right ordering with God, and the error is like a wedge that opens a gap to further disobedience, with compromise, rather than rightful order. Obedience is the foundation for the anointed king of Israel. … An ancient Christian of the 5th century named Salvian once said about this passage that,
In Exodus 25 God gives very direct instruction to use poles of acacia wood, overlaid with gold, inserted through the rings on the side of the Ark to carry it (Ex 25:13-15). It seems like a minute detail, but we saw with Saul that he had a tendency to follow God’s direction 95% of the way, and disobey 5%. It was a kind of disregarding of God’s direction that allows other authority to sneak in. Idols sneak into that 5% gap and God wants that gap closed. … David was bringing the Ark by ox cart, when it should have been carried by poles. It was that 5% disobedience that allowed for Uzzah to be struck down. The ox cart was quicker, but it was cutting a corner that was a little disobedience. It was an error in trajectory. The ultimate plan is to put human beings into right ordering with God, and the error is like a wedge that opens a gap to further disobedience, with compromise, rather than rightful order. Obedience is the foundation for the anointed king of Israel. … An ancient Christian of the 5th century named Salvian once said about this passage that,
“Uzzah’s punishment for steadying the ark shows that nothing may be considered lightly when it pertains to God”.
… There is some degree of terrifying mystery here. It’s understandable if we respond like David, with David’s awe and anger at Uzzah’s death before an incredibly mysterious God.
It is perhaps important for us to meditate on this. We can sometimes be a bit nonchalant when it comes to religion. We can sometimes treat it like a hobby, or like a social club. Once in a while we should meditate on the words of Salvian,
It is perhaps important for us to meditate on this. We can sometimes be a bit nonchalant when it comes to religion. We can sometimes treat it like a hobby, or like a social club. Once in a while we should meditate on the words of Salvian,
“…nothing may be considered lightly when it pertains to God”.
Or maybe the words of the letter to the Hebrews,
“It is a fearful think to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb 10:31).
We can go too far this direction, of course. But, we can go to far with treating God lightly as well.
After Uzzah’s death, the joyful procession stops, and the ark is placed in the house of someone David knows, who may have been a Philistine he knew from his time hiding from king Saul. Interestingly, God blesses this philistine man while the Ark is with him (2 Sam 6:11). This is a bit strange to consider, especially when an Israelite man has just died from being so close to the Ark. … God desires to give blessing, and his blessing is open to all people. It is interesting to think about God blessing a Philistine in a time of intense and violent tribalism. … This blessing seems to inspire David to once again proceed with the procession of the Ark to Jerusalem, but this time he corrects his mistake and uses poles to transport the Ark as specified in Exodus, rather than an ox cart.
And here we see David’s priestly role. He offers sacrifices. David is also dressed “with a linen ephod” (2 Sam 6:14), which in Exodus (and elsewhere) is how the priestly vestments are described (Ex 28:15, 35; 29:5; Lev 8:6-7; 1 Sam 22:18). David continues his dance and the people continue their rejoicing, and shouting, and trumpeting. And once the Ark is placed in its tent in Jerusalem, where the Temple would one day be built, David offers more sacrifices and he blesses the people in the name of God (2 Sam 6:18). David dances with such reckless abandon that his wife, Michal, seems to be embarrassed of him. But David is willing to humble himself if it will bring glory to God.
There is something important about a ruler being willing to humble themselves before a reality greater than themselves, who they believe holds them accountable. It was not uncommon in the ancient world for kings to be considered divine, and I suspect that if a king believes that about themselves that they can be capable of terrible things. I suspect deifying public opinion can be equally terrifying, at times. But, David is going to place himself and his people under the care and direction of God. He is humbling himself before God and God’s ways. And we know that this is not a guarantee against sinful and abusive leaders, but I suspect it is better than the alternatives.
So, we have seen David become King, and we have seen him take up the role of priest as the Ark is being processed. David will also be considered prophetic through his Psalms. We might recall that Saul, on a couple occasions was caught up among the prophets and was overtaken by the Spirit, which called people to ask,
After Uzzah’s death, the joyful procession stops, and the ark is placed in the house of someone David knows, who may have been a Philistine he knew from his time hiding from king Saul. Interestingly, God blesses this philistine man while the Ark is with him (2 Sam 6:11). This is a bit strange to consider, especially when an Israelite man has just died from being so close to the Ark. … God desires to give blessing, and his blessing is open to all people. It is interesting to think about God blessing a Philistine in a time of intense and violent tribalism. … This blessing seems to inspire David to once again proceed with the procession of the Ark to Jerusalem, but this time he corrects his mistake and uses poles to transport the Ark as specified in Exodus, rather than an ox cart.
And here we see David’s priestly role. He offers sacrifices. David is also dressed “with a linen ephod” (2 Sam 6:14), which in Exodus (and elsewhere) is how the priestly vestments are described (Ex 28:15, 35; 29:5; Lev 8:6-7; 1 Sam 22:18). David continues his dance and the people continue their rejoicing, and shouting, and trumpeting. And once the Ark is placed in its tent in Jerusalem, where the Temple would one day be built, David offers more sacrifices and he blesses the people in the name of God (2 Sam 6:18). David dances with such reckless abandon that his wife, Michal, seems to be embarrassed of him. But David is willing to humble himself if it will bring glory to God.
There is something important about a ruler being willing to humble themselves before a reality greater than themselves, who they believe holds them accountable. It was not uncommon in the ancient world for kings to be considered divine, and I suspect that if a king believes that about themselves that they can be capable of terrible things. I suspect deifying public opinion can be equally terrifying, at times. But, David is going to place himself and his people under the care and direction of God. He is humbling himself before God and God’s ways. And we know that this is not a guarantee against sinful and abusive leaders, but I suspect it is better than the alternatives.
So, we have seen David become King, and we have seen him take up the role of priest as the Ark is being processed. David will also be considered prophetic through his Psalms. We might recall that Saul, on a couple occasions was caught up among the prophets and was overtaken by the Spirit, which called people to ask,
“Is Saul also among the prophets?” (1 Sam 10:11-12; 19:24).
… The role of the messiah has often been described in this three-fold way as well- Prophet, Priest, and King. The letter to the Hebrews goes into great detail to outline the priestly ministry of Christ. He offers himself in Sacrifice- both as priest and as sacrifice. He intercedes for us before his Father, representing us before the throne. … But it is bigger than this as well. David was setting up the Temple, to be a place for the throne of God. Jesus will replace the temple as the place to approach God. Jesus is the new temple, because he is the presence of God. AMEN
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