Success - Respect God's Holiness - 2 Samuel 6 - August 1, 2010

Bible Study – Success – Respect God’s Holiness – August 1, 2010



We begin a new series entitled “The Essentials of Success.”


Our scripture for this five (5) week study will be taken from 2 Samuel and focus on David’s successes and failures.


August 1 – Respect God’s Holiness – 2 Samuel 6:1-15, 17 – Obey HIS commands.


August 8 – Focus on God’s Purposes – 2 Samuel 7:1-7, 11b-16, 18-21 – Fulfillment when we align ourselves with God’s plan and purpose.


August 15 – Demonstrate Kindness – 2 Samuel 9:1-13 – When Christians demonstrate Godly kindness to others, many are drawn to GOD.


August 22 – Deal with personal sin – 2 Samuel 11:2-5, 14-15; 12:7a, 10-14; Psalm 51:1-4.


August 29 – Face crises with courage – 2 Samuel 15: 13-14, 24-26, 30-37; 19:7-8a.


Satan tries to prevent a person from accepting CHRIST as his/her SAVIOR but if that fails, then Satan does all he can to entice that person to sin - The more visible the sin, the better and the more visible the person, the better.


All Christians sin and when we do we must confess our sin and repent. Repenting is to stop doing it. It is stopping and turning around and going in the opposite direction. Our part is to confess and repent. GOD’S part is to forgive and cleanse. A verse of scripture worthy to memorize is 1 John 1:9 – 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.


Not confessing our sin on an ongoing basis is much like when we get all cleaned and spiffed up and the get some dirt on us. Then we get a little more dirt on us. The tendency, depending upon our personality, is to throw up our hands and get dirtier. Sin breaks moral barriers and the tendency is to let your guard down. That is exactly what Satan wants us to do.


The instant a person accepts CHRIST as his or her SAVIOR; his/her sins are washed away by the shed blood of CHRIST. He/she is made righteous as stated in 2 Corinthians 5:21 - 21 He (GOD) made the One (JESUS) who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we (Christians) might become the righteousness of God in Him. Christians being made righteous or in right-standing with GOD by the shed blood of CHRIST allows them to approach GOD directly rather than going through a priest. Christians have direct access to GOD 24/7 and can call HIM Daddy. They are to respect GOD and approach HIM with the knowledge that HE is HOLY.


David was made king and he wanted to move the Ark of the Covenant from Baale-judah (BAY uh lee JOO duh) also known as Kiriath-jearim (KIHR ih ath-JEE uh rim). The Ark had been kept by Abinadab in his house since it was returned from capture by the Philistines about twenty (20) years.


Let’s read 2 Samuel 6:1-5:


David Moves the Ark


1 David again assembled all the choice men in Israel,[1] 30,000. 2 He and all his troops set out to bring the ark of God from Baale-judah.[2][3]The ark is called by the Name, the name of the LORD of • Hosts who dwells [between]* the • cherubim.[4] 3 They set the ark of God on a new cart and transported it from Abinadab’s house, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio,[5] sons of Abinadab, were guiding the cart 4 and brought it with the ark of God from Abinadab’s house on the hill. Ahio walked in front of the ark. 5 David and the whole house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD with all [kinds of]* fir wood [instruments]* ,[6] lyres, harps, tambourines, sistrums,[7] and cymbals.






After the death of King Saul, civil war broke out between David and his followers and Ish-bosheth (ish BOH sheth), King Saul’s oldest surviving son. David and his men defeated Ish-bosheth and his men. David was made King of Israel. David and his men had defeated the Philistines and secured the area.






David conquered Jerusalem and made it the capital and he brought the Philistines under control. He wanted to make Jerusalem both the worship and government center. So he decided to have the Ark of the Covenant moved from Baale-judah (BAY uh lee JOO duh) also known as Kiriath-jearim (KIHR ih ath-JEE uh rim). Baale-judah was located about nine (9) miles from Jerusalem. The Ark had been kept by Abinadab in his house since it was returned from being captured by the Philistines.


Abinadab had two (2) sons, Uzzah (UHZ uh) and Ahio (uh HIGH oh).


GOD gave Moses specific instructions on how to make the Ark in Exodus 25:10-22. It was made from acacia wood. It was 45 inches long, 27 inches wide and 27 inches deep. The Ark was covered with gold plating with four (4) gold rings through which poles were to be inserted. There were two (2) gold cherubim located on the top of the Ark with one on each side both facing inward. There was a layer of gold on top of the Ark called the mercy seat. On the Day of Atonement, the priest would sprinkle the blood of the sin offering on the mercy seat. Inside the Ark was a copy of the Ten Commandments, a jar of manna and Aaron’s rod. There were specific instructions about how the Ark was to be carried or touched.


As they began to relocate the Ark there was great joy and celebration. The Ark was being moved to the tent David had prepared to house the Ark in Jerusalem. (The temple had not been built. Solomon would build the temple later.) It was a wonderful reason and occasion for celebration.


Abinadab’s two (2) sons were accompanying the Ark as it was being moved in a new cart. Using a new cart shows reverence and respect for the Ark. Ahio was in front guiding the cart and leading the oxen. Apparently Uzzah was walking behind the cart.


Let’s read 2 Samuel 6:6-11:


6 When they came to Nacon’s threshing floor, Uzzah reached out to the ark of God and took hold of it, because the oxen had stumbled. 7 Then the LORD’s anger burned against Uzzah,[8] and God struck him dead on the spot for his irreverence, and he died there next to the ark of God. 8 David was angry because of the LORD’s outburst against Uzzah, so he named that place an Outburst Against Uzzah,[9] as it is today. 9 David feared the LORD that day and said, “How can the ark of the LORD ever come to me?” 10 So he was not willing to move the ark of the LORD to the city of David; instead, he took it to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. 11 The ark of the LORD remained in his house three months, and the LORD blessed Obed-edom[10] and his whole family.[11]


The location of Nacon’s (NAY kahn) threshing floor is not known. The oxen stumbled and Uzzah reached out and touched the Ark to steady it to keep it from falling. This was a noble act but it violated GOD’S instructions for touching the Ark. GOD struck him dead. First Chronicles 15:13 gives us some insight into this event after the death of Uzzah as David was preparing to move the Ark the second time.


11 David summoned the priests Zadok and Abiathar and the Levites Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab. 12 He said to them, “You are the heads of the Levite families. You and your relatives must consecrate yourselves so that you may bring the ark of the LORD God of Israel to [the place]* I have prepared for it. 13 For the LORD our God burst out [in anger]* against us because you Levites were not [with]* us the first time, for we didn’t inquire of Him about the proper procedures.” 14 So the priests and the Levites consecrated themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel. 15 Then the Levites carried the ark of God the way Moses had commanded according to the word of the LORD: on their shoulders with the poles.[2]


Why GOD struck Uzzah dead can only be speculated – Did the oxen stumbling indicate that they were not paying attention to the road or path they were following? Were they being irreverent or was Uzzah being irreverent? Did GOD need to get the attention of David and get him to examine his heart and motives for relocating the Ark. Or was it an accident that GOD used to get David’s attention along with those moving the Ark to review the rules governing the Ark because it did represent the presence of GOD? I am inclined to consider the later point. Notice that David got upset with GOD. David had his agenda and GOD had interfeared with it. David was all about David. GOD got his attention about his attitude. We will see in the last scripture in our lesson there was a very different atmosphere the second time they began moving the Ark.


What I am about to tell you does not, in my opinion, take away anything to do with GOD’S power. It does reveal HIS infinite knowledge. Years ago a friend of mine who has technical knowledge of electricity and I were discussing the construction of the Ark. He said, “You know the Ark was a giant capacitor. So when it was moved it would build up an electrical charge which would discharge when grounded. Thus when Uzzah touched the Ark as it was being transported, the charge went through him.” I know some will think I am trying to explain away the power of GOD. No way. But it does reveal the infinite knowledge of GOD about all things. There are a number of instances in the Bible where GOD’S instructions were based upon sound medical or scientific knowledge as we know today. GOD’S people did not have a clue about the knowledge yet to be revealed by GOD through discovery.


I do not dismiss the thought that since the Ark had been in Uzzah dad’s home for years that he had become familiar with the Ark and touched it in an unholy manner. Some conclude that Uzzah had un-confessed sin and there are other explanations for the death of Uzzah. When we are surrounded by the things of the LORD, serving can become ordinary or common place. Moses used his staff to obtain water. GOD told Moses and Aaron to speak to the rock to obtain water. Instead Moses struck the rock, which resulted in him not being able to enter the Promised Land because of his disobedience as stated in Number 20:7-12:


7 The LORD spoke to Moses, 8 “Take the staff[5] and assemble the community. You and your brother Aaron are to speak to the rock while they watch, and it will yield its water. You will bring out water for them from the rock and provide drink for the community and their livestock.” 9 So Moses took the staff from the LORD’s presence[6] just as He had commanded him. 10 Moses and Aaron summoned the assembly in front of the rock, and Moses said to them, “Listen, you rebels! Must we bring water out of this rock for you?” 11 Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff, so that a great amount of water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.[7]12 But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust Me to show My holiness in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this assembly into the land I have given them.”[8]


The point being, obey GOD. When HE tells us to do something a certain way, we are to do it because HE knows the end result and the purpose.


The death of Uzzah concerned David and he concluded something must have been wrong. He diverted the Ark to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite for three (3) months. During that time the LORD blessed Obed-edom and his whole family. This was a good sign that GOD was not angry and prepared David for the next step.


This event got the attention of David and the Israelites. The next time they moved the Ark it would be with full knowledge of GOD’S instructions regarding the Ark. It would be moved with respect, an attitude of holiness and worship.


Let’s read 2 Samuel 6:12-15, 17:


12 It was reported to King David: “The LORD has blessed Obed-edom’s family and all that belongs to him because of the ark of God.” So David went and had the ark of God brought up from Obed-edom’s house to the city of David with rejoicing. 13 When those carrying the ark of the LORD advanced six steps, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened calf.[12] 14 David was dancing[13] with all his might before the LORD wearing a linen • ephod. 15 He and the whole house of Israel were bringing up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of the ram’s horn. 16 As the ark of the LORD was entering the city of David, Saul’s daughter Michal looked down from the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, and she despised him in her heart. 17 They brought the ark of the LORD and set it in its place inside the tent David had set up for it. Then David offered • burnt offerings and • fellowship offerings in the LORD’s presence.


It was reported to David that during the time the Ark was at Obed-edom’s home the LORD blessed Obed-edom and his whole family. This was a good sign that GOD was not angry and it prepared David for the next step. Consider this - The Ark brought blessings to the worthy home where it was housed because it represented the presence of GOD. Christians represent the presence of GOD where ever they are. Where ever they place their foot becomes Holy Ground and represent the presence of GOD.


It is clear that when they moved the Ark this time it was festive but also with a great sense of worship and reverence. Notice that David wore an ephod which priests normally wore. There is no indication that David performed a priestly duty. I think it was to show respect and reverence to GOD as the King of Israel.


Verse 17, revealed that David’s wife, Saul’s daughter, Michal (MIGH kul) watched this event and David dancing from a window with disgust. Often, when those are caught up in the Spirit of GOD others do not understand. Many Christians worship in different ways. Some view those as being caught up in the Spirit as bring disruptive. That is why we have different denominations, so that Christians can express their worship in different ways.


David was moving the Ark to Jerusalem. The Ark would be housed in a tent which David had prepared for the Ark. Often, when we are doing the work of the LORD and we hit a snag it gives us pause to reconsider what we are doing. It is a time when we need to go to the LORD to seek HIS confirmation and it may be a time to ask GOD to search our hearts.


It is easy to take the work of the LORD lightly and the LORD needs for us to have a heart tune-up.


Our scripture began with David, his men and Abinadab’s two (2) sons moving the Ark. It was a festive occasion. After the death of Uzzah and a pause in the effort, the next time the Ark was moved it was according to the instructions of GOD as stated in Numbers 4:4-16 and was in an attitude of worship. Serving GOD is never commonplace. Our world today does not treat GOD or CHRIST with reverence and respect.


Numbers 4:4-16:


4 “The service of the Kohathites at the tent of meeting concerns the most holy objects.[3] 5 Whenever the camp is about to move on, Aaron and his sons are to go in, take down the screening veil, and cover the ark of the • testimony with it.[4] 6 They are to place over this a covering made of manatee skin,[5] spread a solid blue cloth on top, and insert its poles.[6]7 “They are to spread a blue cloth over the table of the Presence and place the plates and cups on it, as well as the bowls and pitchers for the drink offering. The regular bread [offering]* is to be on it.[7] 8 They are to spread a scarlet cloth over them, cover them with a covering made of manatee skin,[8] and insert the poles [in the table]* .[9]9 “They are to take a blue cloth and cover the lampstand[10] used for light, with its lamps, snuffers, and firepans,[11] as well as its jars of oil by which they service it. 10 Then they must place it with all its utensils inside a covering made of manatee skin[12] and put [them]* on the carrying frame. 11 “They are to spread a blue cloth over the gold altar,[13] cover it with a covering made of manatee skin,[14] and insert its poles.[15] 12 They are to take all the serving utensils they use in the sanctuary, place [them]* in a blue cloth, cover them with a covering made of manatee skin,[16] and put [them]* on a carrying frame. 13 “They are to remove the ashes from the [bronze]* altar, spread a purple cloth over it, 14 and place all the equipment on it that they use in serving: the firepans, meatforks, shovels, and basins—all the equipment of the altar.[17] They are to spread a covering made of manatee skin[18] over it and insert its poles.[19] [20]15 “Aaron and his sons are to finish covering the holy objects and all their equipment whenever the camp is to move on. The Kohathites will come and carry them, but they are not to touch the holy objects or they will die.[21] These are the transportation duties of the Kohathites regarding the tent of meeting. 16 “Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, has oversight of the lamp oil, the fragrant incense, the daily • grain offering, and the anointing oil. [He has]* oversight of the entire tabernacle and everything in it, the holy objects and their utensils.”[22]