Day 145 – David & the Ark

• David is settling into his role as king, but today we read about a misguided attempt to do something right, but in the wrong way.
• As you’ll have read from the events in 2 Samuel 6, David decides to move the Ark, containing the stone tablets given to Moses, from its current location to Jerusalem. What mistake did he make when doing this? The mistake is in verse 3; use your study bible, or the list of rules in the passage in Numbers, to help pinpoint the problem.
• What happened to the unfortunate Uzzah?
• Uzzah put his hand out to stop the ark falling, which presumably was well meant, but in doing so he touched the Ark and was killed on the spot. What do you think when you read this? Does it give you an understanding of God’s holiness? Is your reaction like that of David, who expressed anger at what happened? Don’t forget that God had given clear instructions about how the Ark should have been moved, which were not followed. With that in mind, is it fair to say that Uzzah brought about his own downfall?
• The second time David moved the Ark, what was different? What was David’s attitude, and the general atmosphere, like as the ark came into the city?
• David is described as dancing as if nobody was watching – whooping and praising. What did Michal (David’s wife) think of David’s dancing? Her words are scornful and sarcastic, aren’t they? As a side note, it’s interesting to see Michal described as “Saul’s daughter”, rather than “David’s wife”. Why do you think the writer chose to describe her like this at this precise moment?
• The Ark of the Covenant represented the glory of God. Jesus says that our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit, and we carry Him wherever we go. Bearing that in mind, how can we use our bodies in praise and honour, like David did? What stops us from doing this more often?
• Today’s psalm is one of praise, worship and dancing! Use it to encourage yourself, especially if you are doing exams at the moment.

In our church we worship with genuine praise, but it is – let’s be honest – quite measured. There’s no dancing. There isn’t much clapping or raising of hands. There certainly aren’t any ribbon throwing dancers running through the isles!

This is, in itself, fine. People can worship God in whichever way they want, and that includes the quiet reserved attitude of our way of singing.

What would be a shame, however, is if we didn’t allow people to worship in a different way. Some people really do want to dance, or hit tambourines, or put both hands high in the air. That’s absolutely fine! They’re not weird, and they’re not childish. It’s simply another way of showing that we are willing to put God ahead of how we look to our fellow brothers and sisters, and that of course is admirable.

Today David, the king, risked some odd looks and the wrath of his wife as he celebrated what it was to know the Lord Almighty, and we should look at the verses describing it and smile in pleasure! He must have looked a picture… but good for him!

Here’s something for you to do at home. Put on your favourite worship song, nice and loud (or maybe on your headphones) in your bedroom and SING! Or do the same thing in the shower tonight and DANCE! Forget, for a few minutes, any embarrassment you might normally feel about this, and enjoy giving God the praise and glory He’s due. You don’t have to do this at church – I know you wouldn’t even if I paid you – but why not try it in your own space. For five minutes, utterly give yourself to God in the way you sing or dance or make a noise. See if it changes the way you think about worshipping the God who is above all things.

Go on, you know you want to!