Day 116
2 Samuel 5:11-25
2 Samuel 6
1 Chronicles 13
1 Chronicles 14
1 Chronicles 15
1 Chronicles 16
The Philistines had come back to fight David a second time, but God gave a different strategy this go around: “Do not go straight up as before; circle around behind them and attack in front of the mulberry trees. When you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then advance quickly, for then the Lord will go out before you” (2 Samuel 5:23-24). Just because one battle was won a certain way does not mean every path will be the same. We must seek God and His divine guidance for each fight, listening carefully even for signs like the rustling in the treetops, a reminder to stay spiritually alert. David would have been defeated if he had relied on past victories instead of praying and following God’s new plan. The sounds of marching in the trees were a signal of God’s direction, showing that even in detours, obedience and divine trust bring success.
In 2 Samuel 5, Hiram, the king of Tyre (a Phoenician king, today is part of modern day Lebanon, along the Mediterranean Coast) sent David cedar trees, carpenters and stone masons. Israel was on a prominent inland trade route that Tyre relied on, so Tyre needed to be in good standing with David. Tyre was dependent on Israel for food as well, and so he wanted Israel to be stable. David moved from Hebron to establish his kingdom in Jerusalem.
David took more wives and concubines in Jerusalem, partially for political alliances and to strengthen his kingdom, as this was culturally the norm. It did not mean that God approved, but there were consequences that followed. In Deuteronomy 17:17, the law warned not to accumulate many wives, which showed David’s indifference to women had increased so much that it reinforced the issue with Bathsheba later. This became one of David’s greatest failures. Deuteronomy guarded against treating women like objects. Although his wives did not lead him away from God like Solomon’s did (reading to come later), it did show that no one (priests) had the power to stop David. David had eight named wives, plus concubines and unnamed wives. Whereas Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines many of whom led him to idolatry and turned his heart from God (1 Kings 11:3).
The Philistines came to battle again, and David inquired of the Lord. The Lord told David to attack, and Israel defeated the Philistines, who fled in panic. The text does not say their idols were left behind at this time, but they may have abandoned them. The idols had been brought to battle to ensure victory. Remember back when Hophni and Phinehas brought the Ark to Aphek, but it was then stolen (1 Samuel 4), The Ebenezer was set up after a later battle in 1 Samuel 7:12. David would later burn the Philistine idols, showing God was superior to their false gods.
David decided to move the Ark to Jerusalem. He used a new cart for transport, which was great that it was not rickety, but that was NOT how it was commanded to be transported. God had specifically given orders that it was to be carried with the poles on the Levite’s shoulders (Numbers 4:15; 7:9). Along the journey, the Israelites had celebrated with music as they were restoring God’s presence with the people
(his throne between the cherubim). The Ark had been neglected during Saul’s reign. Israel was bringing back worship, the unity of a nation, and claiming that God was King, not David as a human.
David and Uzzah should have known better than to transfer the Ark by a cart. Uzzah had reached out to steady the Ark when the oxen stumbled- a BIG violation, as no one was permitted to touch the Ark since it was holy. Uzzah had good intentions and tried to do the right thing by trying to prevent the Ark from falling, but he should have known better than to transport it on a cart. God was angry and, in His wrath, killed Uzzah. David was upset and afraid that Uzzah had died, so he left the Ark at the house of Obed-Edom. The good fear of God is awe and reverence of the One who made the rules. David’s fear was because he was scared of God’s wrath.
The Ark was left with Obed-Edom for three months. During that time, God blessed Obed-Edom and his household. Seeing this, David understood that the Lord was no longer angry about the earlier mishandling. He then continued the journey, this time following the proper procedure with the Levites who carried the Ark on their shoulders. David removed his royal robes, wore a priestly linen ephod, and danced before the Lord.
Michal, David’s wife (and Saul’s daughter), saw him take off the royal robes for the ephod and dance. This created distaste for Michal as she felt it was not dignified; she despised his dancing, and she may have still been bitter from being taken from her husband (Paltiel) and forced back to David. David declared that he would celebrate with the Lord and that she would no longer sleep with him. This meant that she would bear no children, which meant the end of Saul’s family line.
1 Chronicles 13-16 was the priestly account with a focus on the worship and Levite duties versus the political history of Israel. Note that David consulted the community of Levites and leaders before moving the Ark again. When David decided to continue the move of the Ark after a brief period with Obed-Edom, only the Levites were to move it, he blamed the Levites for the improper handling of the Ark the first time; and that they had not inquired of God for the proper for transportation (1 Chronicles 15:13). In these chapters, Michal’s drama was omitted from the story as the focus was on the celebration and spiritual success not the personal scandals. These are great ways to notice the differences between scripture.
In 1 Chronicles 16, continued with David and the Levite leaders he appointed for musical worship. Notice there were two high priests. Zadok at the Tabernacle in Gibeon (1 Chronicles 16:39), and Abiathar served with the Ark in Jerusalem (in a special tent) until the official Temple was built (2 Samuel 15:24-27). In the end, David went home to bless his family, which showed his personal devotion at home and continued to the nation of God’s family. David not only led Israel in worship, but he led his own family as well. Spiritual leadership starts at home and overflows to the community. David appointed specific people for musical praise (1 Chron 16:4-6). What role does music play in your personal or community worship experience?
Today's Discussion question:
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