1CH 12-16Mamma. We also get the names of those who went to Ziklag to David, when he was persecuted by Saul. These were men who had not a double heart; they did not pretend to take David's part one day and leave him the next; they were men of war fit for the battle, whose faces were like the faces of lions —brave looking, and they were like the roes upon the mountains in their haste to help. The Spirit of God keeps account of their mighty works. At one time they owed over Jordan when the river was overflowing both its banks.
But why was David at Ziklag at this time?
S. Because Saul was so unkind m. He followed David from place to place, because he wanted to kill him. At last David fled into the land of the Philistines, and asked the king to let him live in his country. Then Achish, the king of Gath, gave Ziklag to David; and David lived there for a whole year, until Saul was killed in battle, then David became king of Israel.
M. Just so. And here we learn the names of those men who helped David at Ziklag, and we find that they were doing the very thing that was most pleasing to God at that moment; because He had determined that David was to be king. For they came with a perfect heart to Hebron to make David king over all Israel. And all the rest of Israel were of one heart to make David king. And they stayed with David for three days, feasting David, for their brethren brought all kinds of good thing to show their good feeling to David—asses and camels and mules and oxen laden with all the delicious things of the earth, cakes and figs and raisins and wine and oil, for there was joy in Israel.
S. Was David glad to be king?
M. Yes; and his first thought was of God, who had made him ruler of this great people; for he called together all the captains and leaders of the people, and he proposed to them to send word to all the people of Israel and to the priests and Levites, that they might come together and join him in bringing back the ark of God into his place. For they had not inquired of the ark in the days of Saul. And the thing was right in the eyes of all the people. So David gathered all Israel together to bring up the ark from Kirjathjearim, where it had remained since the Philistines had sent it back. Do you remember?
S. Oh, yes. The Philistines put it on a new cart, and sent it by two cows, and they locked up their calves at home; and the cows went the right way, lowing as they went, because God made them go the right way. And when the children of Israel saw it, they ran and took it off the cart, and offered the cows for a sacrifice to shew how glad they were.
M. Just so. And here David seems to have imitated them, for he put the ark of God on a new cart. And the sons of Abinadab drove the cart. And David and Israel played before God with all their might, with singing, and harps and musical instruments and with trumpets. But, when the oxen stumbled, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark. Anti the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark. And David was displeased and was afraid of God that day. And he said: How shall I bring the ark of God home to me? Therefore David did not bring the ark to the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obededom, and it remained there for three months, and God blessed the house of Obededom and all he had.
S. Why was God displeased at David doing what the Philistine had done?
M. Because God had given directions about the ark and David ought to have known them, the Philistines did not. They only knew that God had all power, and that He could make even His dumb creatures go where He pleased. But God's own people ought to have said, That is not the way that we are to carry the ark, for God appointed men on purpose to do so. They were to carry it by the staves. (Ex. 25:1414And thou shalt put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, that the ark may be borne with them. (Exodus 25:14).) We read in the Book of Numbers (Num. 4) how the sons of Kohath were set apart to carry the holy things. David felt God's rebuke; but he did not give up the desire to have the ark, of God near him, for when he built houses for himself in the city of David, he also prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched a tent for it. And God shewed David what he had done wrong, for He said: None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites; for them path God chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto Him forever. So now David goes again to bring up the ark from the house of Obededom, and this time he is right; and, as God's anointed king, he calls together both priests and Levites, all the children, of Aaron. As God's anointed David is really above the priests, and it is the king who orders everything. All are to sanctify themselves, and David appoints the singers and the players on instruments of music for they were to lift up their voice with joy, and to bring up the ark with joy.
S. Was Obededom sorry that the ark was taken out of his house?
M. I think not; for David appointed him one of the doorkeepers to the ark. Doubtless Obededom knew how right it was that the ark should be in Zion—the city of David. God helped the Levites, and they offered seven bullocks and seven rams. David himself took the lead, he was clothed in a priestly garment, a robe of fine linen, and a linen ephod; for he was a royal priest that day. But Michal, Saul's daughter, did not understand this.
Then David gave a Psalm to the priests to sing: Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon His name, make known His deeds among the people. He praises the Lord for His covenant with Abraham, and for His wonderful woks among the nations. He rejoices that the heavens will be glad and the earth also, when the nations shall know that Jehovah reigns.