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DAVID BROUGHT THE ARK TO JERUSALEM (II)
LORD’S DAY, JULY 19
2 Samuel 6

Psalm 62

 

“God hath spoken once;

twice have I heard this…”

 

DAVID BROUGHT THE ARK TO JERUSALEM (II)
 
In bringing the Ark back, they neglected to read the Law as to how it was to be transported. David gathered thirty thousand men to take part in the return of the Ark. Thus, when they came, Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, set the Ark upon an ox-cart and the two drove it.
 
David and his men followed the Ark with much singing and playing of instruments of music. This is the description of the scene: “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” (2 Sam 6:5). It was to be a great day for the nation. All this fanfare was due to the importance of the Ark in the religious life of Israel. Its construction was recorded in Exodus 25 as the Lord revealed its structure and dimensions to Moses. Bezaleel made the Ark. It contained the Ten Commandments, Aaron’s rod and pot of manna. Numbers 3:30‑31 shows that it was conveyed by the Levites. It was a symbol of God’s Law and holiness. It was kept in its place for a memorial that God was the king of Israel. It also typified atonement of the nation and individuals. Its place in the holy of holies was the central venue in worship and also had prophetic value. All these representations of the Ark made it so important that it could not be omitted in the nation’s spiritual values.
 
The mode of transport was reproved when Uzzah and Ahio drove the Ark on a cart. The oxen shook the cart. Uzzah put forth his hand to prevent the Ark from falling over. Here, the neglect of David, the Levites and all the congregation was brought to focus. The Lord was angry and He smote Uzzah so that he died right there. At this point, everything stopped, and the fanfare turned to mourning. It caused David to fear the LORD and to ask how the Ark of the LORD should be brought to him in Jerusalem. There were two errors that were made. The Law of Moses says that the Ark could only be conveyed by the Levites on their shoulders using the rods that were provided. And nobody was allowed to touch the Ark. The keeping of the Law was hereby stressed.
 
THOUGHT: God speaks once, we need to hear twice.

PRAYER: Father, may I pay attention to the specifications of Thy Word.

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