What I Noticed Today (2 Samuel 6-9)
2 Samuel 6
David decided to move the Ark from Baale-Judah (aka Kiriath-jearim) to Jerusalem
- He gathered together 30,000 “choice men” from all of Israel.
Note: We don’t know who these men were, but I suspect they were all the priests, tribal leaders, and influential men throughout all Israel.
Note: Unfortunately, David didn’t consult with God about his plan, nor did he follow the Levitical laws for the transportation of the Ark (Exodus 25:12-15).
- The Ark was placed on a new cart. David and the Israelites were celebrating with all kinds of musical instruments as they walked.
- When one of the oxen pulling the cart stumbled, Uzziah mistakenly reached out and touched the Ark.
- The Lord immediately killed him for his irreverence.
- David wisely waited several months before he made a second attempt at bringing the Ark to Jerusalem, and this time, he did it according to the Levitical law (1 Chronicles 15).
- As David entered the city of Jerusalem, Micah, his wife, looked out and saw him dancing before the Lord, and she despised him. She confronted David when he returned home, accusing him of being vulgar. David said he was celebrating before the Lord. Saul’s daughter Michal had no children for the rest of her life.
2 Samuel 7
2 Samuel 7 begins with a confusing situation between David and the prophet Nathan.
In verses 1-29, David told Nathan his plan to build a house for God, and Nathan told David to proceed.
- But Nathan hadn’t bothered to consult with God.
- Later that night, the Lord told Nathan, ‘no David is not going to build my house, but I will build his!’
Note: Clearly, what the Lord was referring to was not a physical house but that he would build the house of David, his descendants.
- Nathan told David all the words of the vision to David.
- David responded to God’s rejection of his plan with a heartfelt and humble prayer of thanksgiving to God.
Note: David referred to himself humbly before God as “your servant” ten times, and to God as “O Sovereign Lord” seven times.
2 Samuel 8
David’s many military victories over Israel’s enemies are recorded in 2 Samuel 8.
David expanded Israel’s territory, and he dedicated the plunder to God (to provide for the building of the Temple). David defeated:
- the Philistines,
- the Moabites,
- the Zobahites, and
- the Arameans.
God was with David wherever he went! Joab was commander of David’s army. Jehoshaphat was the court historian. Zadok and Ahimelech were priests. Seriah was the court secretary. Benaiah and David’s sons were chief officials.
2 Samuel 9
David still had a soft spot in his heart for Saul and his family. 2 Samuel 9 records David seeking out someone from Saul’s family to whom he could show favor.
David asks and is told there is one of Jonathan’s sons who is still alive.
- Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, was brought to David.
- David restored all of Saul’s property to Mephibosheth and invited him to eat at the King’s table for the rest of his life.
Some thoughts for additional consideration:
- In these chapters, we see David make two rash decisions. Neither was wrong, but at issue is how he planned to carry out his decision. The first was in deciding to move the Ark without consulting God or the priests about the proper way to move the Ark. The second was in deciding to build a house for God without consulting God himself.
- How often are we like David when we want to do something for the Lord, but God says no or not yet? David provided a great example of how we should respond in his prayer of thanksgiving to God. Ultimately, God’s plan was infinitely greater than David’s.
- Have you ever experienced a time when, like David, you made rash decisions that were contrary to God’s will?
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.
