What happens when everyone has the best of intentions, but they don’t do things in exactly the manner dictated by God? What are the consequences for leaders who take matters into their own hands or, for that matter, followers who do not challenge leaders with the Word of God? Obedience does not strictly apply to each individual believer, but to the body of believers as a whole as well.
Point: David’s transportation of the ark takes place after a protracted war with the Philistines. Bringing the ark into Jerusalem (where it has never been, even before its current resting place) illustrates a renewed desire on Israel’s part to seek God and to worship before Him, David being the ultimate spiritual leader in this regard.
Q: Who did David consult with first before bringing in the ark? Who should he have consulted with?
A: He consulted first with his military leaders to make sure it was safe, but he should have checked first with Nathan or the priesthood. The movement of the ark was a responsibility God had specifically given to the Levites/priesthood.
Q: What can we discern is wrong with the response David received in v.4?
A: Nobody stood up to David, citing God’s Law as to how this was supposed to be carried out. In other words, everyone acceded to David’s earthly authority, incorrectly assuming it carried with it spiritual authority sufficient to over turn God’s written authority.
Q: How did David differ from Saul concerning the ark?
A: Remember that the ark was lost to the Philistines during the period of the Judges. When Saul came along, he probably saw the ark as a liability, and that having the ark could be disastrous because of his sin. Either way, he saw no profit in having the ark. In David’s case, his motives seem not to be focused on winning battles but to worship God in the place He designated.
Q: This is a case of good intentions with wrong methods. Baalah is the Canaanite name for Kiriath-jearim, which was 8 miles west of Jerusalem. The ark had been resting there in the house of Abinadab for 80 years. Uzzah and Ahio were sons (or descendants) of Abinadab (2 Samuel 6:3). What was wrong with the method of transportation used?
A: It was a cart (whether old or new makes no difference). It was supposed to be carried by hand. That’s why it nearly toppled over.
Q: What was wrong with who carried it?
A: The ark was supposed to be carried only by the Levites. The house of Abinadab was obviously not of the tribe of Levi.
“This is the work of the descendants of Kohath in the tent of meeting, concerning the most holy things. When the camp sets out, Aaron and his sons shall go in and they shall take down the veil of the screen and cover the ark of the testimony with it...When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy objects and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, when the camp is to set out, after that the sons of Kohath shall come to carry them, so that they will not touch the holy objects and die. These are the things in the tent of meeting which the sons of Kohath are to carry."
―Numbers 4:4-5, 15
Q: What was the reaction of the Israelites and David to transporting the ark?
A: Great news! The ark is coming to Jerusalem. (This is the good news. The bad was yet to come.)
Q: In verse 10, why did Uzzah die?
A: Because even the Levites were not allowed to touch the ark.
When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy objects and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, when the camp is to set out, after that the sons of Kohath shall come to carry them, so that they will not touch the holy objects and die. These are the things in the tent of meeting which the sons of Kohath are to carry.
―Numbers 4:15
Q: What was David’s response in verses 11 & 12?
A: His celebration turned to fear and he became angry at God.
Q: When did the ark finally reach Jerusalem?
A: Obed-edom the Gittite was indeed a Levite of the clan of Kohath, family of Korah (26:1,4). As a Korahite gatekeeper (15:18, 24, and also a musician, v.21) he met the requirements of the law for service as a caretaker of the ark, and was visibly blessed.
Q: What’s the difference between David’s first attempt and second?
A: The second attempt was according to God’s instructions, God’s Word; the first was not. David had the right intentions, good motives, etc., but he was not obedient to God’s Word, to God’s way of doing things. With God, the ends do NOT justify the means; the process is as important—often MORE important—than the goal.
Q: Is there an equivalent today of how we approach God’s “holy vessels”?
A: His people, for one, when they do not forgive one another. Communion is another example.
“Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.”
―Matthew 5:23-24
“Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly. For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep. “
―1 Corinthians 11:27-30
Q: How have some of your good intentions turned into bad incidents?
Q: Does any of the sacredness of God’s things reflect on how we treat His Word?