DAVID SOUGHT THE ARK OF GOD

 PROCLAMATION

“And David went up, and all Israel, to Baalah, that is to Kirjath-jearim, which belongs to Judah, to bring up thence the ark of God The Lord, that dwelleth between the cherubims, whose name is called on it.  And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab; and Uzza and Ahio drove the cart.”  1 Chronicles 13:6-7 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These two Books of The Bible, First and Second Chronicles, were written as one Bible book under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  The human author is unknown although Jewish tradition suggests, and some current Bible scholars believe, that both of these books was written by Ezra the scribe and priest and historical Bible scholar.  After the death of King Saul, David the son of Jesse was anointed king over Israel in the city of Hebron. (1 Chronicles 11:1-3)  David had been anointed king by the prophet Samuel while he was a boy (1 Samuel 16:13) and later the people anointed king of Judah (2 Samuel 2:4) before being made king of all of Israel.  In chapter twelve there is listed the men who came to and stayed with David while Saul was after him. (1 Chronicles 12:1-40)  One of the first things that David did as king was to gather all of Israel together and he said that they should bring back the ark of God. (1 Chronicles 13:1-4)  They went and got the ark of God from the house of Abinadab.  They placed the ark of God in a new cart and they left there they were singing and playing instruments and they celebrating its return. (1 Chronicles 13:5-8)  As they were transporting the ark of God to Jerusalem, one of the oxen stumbled.  Uzza reached out his hand and touched the ark to keep it from falling off of the cart.  This violated The Lord God’s instructions to not touch anything holy. (Numbers 4:15)  God was angered that Uzza had touched the ark and He struck him down and killed him right there. (1 Chronicles 13:9-10)  David was displeased with The Lord for killing Uzza, and he was afraid to take the ark to his home.  So David had them carry the ark to the home of Obed-edom, the Gittite.  The ark of God remained in the house of Obed-edom for three months and The Lord blessed his house and all that he had. (1 Chronicles 13:11-14)

 

APPLICATION

Having good intentions does not excuse our actions or give us permission to disobey The Word of God.  We sin when we do what The Lord God has said not to do.  We also sin when we do not do what He says that we should do.  We can sin by omission as well as by commission.  Jesus said, if we love Him then we will keep His commandments.