2 Samuel 6 and 1 Chronicles 13
This account gives us an important principle for those who, placed in some position of responsibility, may act with zeal, but in ignorance of God’s Word. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:44But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4)). Whether these actions come of ignorance, forgetfulness or willfulness, the effect of disregard for the Word in our service may bring similar, sad results. Though David referred to the Lord on this occasion (see 1 Chron. 13:23), we do not read that he asked the Lord for guidance in moving the ark.
Twenty years earlier (1 Sam. 6:10; 7:210And the men did so; and took two milch kine, and tied them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home: (1 Samuel 6:10)
2And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjath-jearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord. (1 Samuel 7:2)), the Philistines used a cart to return the ark to Israel after it had been lost in battle. God allowing the Philistines to move it in this manner and the Levites’ earlier use of a cart to transport other instruments of the tabernacle while in the wilderness may have suggested a reasonable precedent to David. Were not David’s faith and zeal to reclaim the ark and move it to Jerusalem more important than how it was done? But faith does not depend on precedent.
Regardless of the joy that accompanied the ark’s return, the authority for moving it and directions for how to move it did not rest with David. God only sanctions simple obedience to His Word. Real faith always obeys the Word of God without question.
The result of failing to have God’s mind about the handling of the ark resulted in the death of Uzzah, and David’s joy and singing were replaced by sorrow, displeasure and fear. Jehovah’s mind for carrying the ark and those responsible to do so are given in Exodus 25:12-15, 37:35, Numbers 3:3030And the chief of the house of the father of the families of the Kohathites shall be Elizaphan the son of Uzziel. (Numbers 3:30) and Deuteronomy 10:88At that time the Lord separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the Lord, to stand before the Lord to minister unto him, and to bless in his name, unto this day. (Deuteronomy 10:8). Earlier examples of the ark’s correct transport, on the shoulders of the priests, are in Joshua 3:33And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it. (Joshua 3:3) and 6:4. Failure to obey these divine instructions is clearly foretold in Numbers 3:1010And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall wait on their priest's office: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death. (Numbers 3:10).
Yet the Lord acted in grace and blessing. We read that “the Lord blessed the house of Obed-edom and all that he had” (1 Chron. 13:1414And the ark of God remained with the family of Obed-edom in his house three months. And the Lord blessed the house of Obed-edom, and all that he had. (1 Chronicles 13:14)). What carefulness those three months of reflection wrought in David! He instructed the priests to carry the ark to Jerusalem (1 Chron.15:12,15). What followed this happy event was joy and gladness, with David blessing the people and giving praise and thanks to the Lord. Jehovah’s approval of the way in which the ark was moved is seen, too, for we read that “God helped the Levites that bare the ark” (vs. 26). The joy of David’s heart bursts forth in a psalm of praise (1 Chron. 16:7-367Then on that day David delivered first this psalm to thank the Lord into the hand of Asaph and his brethren. 8Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. 9Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works. 10Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. 11Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually. 12Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth; 13O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones. 14He is the Lord our God; his judgments are in all the earth. 15Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations; 16Even of the covenant which he made with Abraham, and of his oath unto Isaac; 17And hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant, 18Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance; 19When ye were but few, even a few, and strangers in it. 20And when they went from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people; 21He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes, 22Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm. 23Sing unto the Lord, all the earth; show forth from day to day his salvation. 24Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations. 25For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods. 26For all the gods of the people are idols: but the Lord made the heavens. 27Glory and honor are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place. 28Give unto the Lord, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and strength. 29Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. 30Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved. 31Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The Lord reigneth. 32Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein. 33Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the Lord, because he cometh to judge the earth. 34O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. 35And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise. 36Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the Lord. (1 Chronicles 16:7‑36)), some of which is found repeated in Psalm 1057He is the Lord our God: his judgments are in all the earth. 8He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations. 9Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac; 10And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant: 11Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance: 12When they were but a few men in number; yea, very few, and strangers in it. 13When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people; 14He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes; 15Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm. 16Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread. 17He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: 18Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: 19Until the time that his word came: the word of the Lord tried him. 20The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free. 21He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance: 22To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom. 23Israel also came into Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham. 24And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies. 25He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilly with his servants. 26He sent Moses his servant; and Aaron whom he had chosen. 27They showed his signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham. 28He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they rebelled not against his word. 29He turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish. 30Their land brought forth frogs in abundance, in the chambers of their kings. 31He spake, and there came divers sorts of flies, and lice in all their coasts. 32He gave them hail for rain, and flaming fire in their land. 33He smote their vines also and their fig trees; and brake the trees of their coasts. 34He spake, and the locusts came, and caterpillers, and that without number, 35And did eat up all the herbs in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground. 36He smote also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength. (Psalm 105:7‑36).
Though David failed, there is no doubt he gained appreciation for the Word of God. This was of the highest importance and what was needed then, as it is today. All was used for David and Israel’s benefit, for God was seeking to bring His dear people into greater dependence on Himself and His Word (1 Chron. 15:22Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the Lord chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto him for ever. (1 Chronicles 15:2)). Surely He desires that for His people today, as well. As one in a position of responsibility among God’s people, David learned to obey God’s Word in everything (1 Chron. 16:4040To offer burnt offerings unto the Lord upon the altar of the burnt offering continually morning and evening, and to do according to all that is written in the law of the Lord, which he commanded Israel; (1 Chronicles 16:40)).
Even though times and dispensations have changed, we, too, must learn the vital necessity of relying on God’s Word for guidance—never seeking to change or innovate where He has spoken. May we gain blessing such as David’s through diligent reading of and obedience to the precious Word of God.
R. Lee