Bible Studies
God’s Relationship With David (2 Sam. 6:1-11)
Series: Studies in Second SamuelIntroduction:
1. Saul and Jonathan are deceased killed in battle by the Philistines. Abner, Saul’s great general is also dead, killed by Joab, David’s great general. Ishbosheth, son of Saul, has been assassinated. All of David’s rivals are eliminated. He alone is left to be king over all of Israel. 2. He has established Jerusalem as his capital city, formed alliances with many nations and has now defeated his archenemy the Philistines. 3. David has become greater and greater because God was with him. And it is God’s relationship with David that will further legitimate and validate the Davidic dynasty. 4. That is the very topic of 2 Samuel chapters 6 and 7.Discussion:
I. David moved the ark into the city of Jerusalem (6:1-15; cf. 1 Chron. chapters 13 and 15).A. Many good lessons have been built around Uzzah and his lack of reverence toward the Lord and His ark. It might be observed that David used instrumental music as he celebrated before the Lord and some may have used this text to validate their practice of dancing in worship to God.
1. All of these are secondary issues and not the primary focus in this text.
2. The primary focus has to do with King David and his relationship to God.
B. The Ark of the Covenant represented the very throne of God (v. 2).
1. As such it was to be treated as holy for it represented the presence of God among the people.
2. It was to be first covered and only then transported by the Levites (the Kohathites in particular). See Num. 4:15.
a. Indeed all the holy objects of the tabernacle were to be handled very carefully.
b. They were not to be touched. Death was the consequence.
c. Poles were to be slipped into the rings of the ark and it was to be carried by hand by the sons of Kohath.
C. The Philistines had captured the ark during the days of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas.
1. Every place among the Philistines where the ark was kept there were difficulties.
2. They sent the ark away from them on a cart led by two milk cows and thus it was returned to Israel.
3. It had remained in the house of Abinadab for 20 years.
4. David would now bring it up to Jerusalem, but little consideration was given to the appropriate procedure.
D. Although they seemed to be acting respectfully—they put it on a new cart and escorted it along with great fanfare—they were instead irreverent.
1. Evidently further investigation led to an understanding of what the should have done (1 Chron. 15:2).
2. There is a powerful lesson here for us to give attention to what God has revealed and not just to hasten in to do our own thing. What we think shows reverence may be met with death.
II. There was some opposition to the way that David humbled himself before the Lord (6:16-23).A. Michal, David’s wife and Saul’s daughter, saw the way David was dancing before the Lord and despised him in her heart (v. 16).
1. Her protest is registered in v. 20.
2. She states that he “uncovered himself.” Most take this to mean that he had divested himself of his royal robes and had put on garments not fitting for his royal standing.
3. And that he had done this before the maids seemed particularly insulting to Michal.
B. What does this have to do with David’s relationship with the Lord?
1. It means that David will humble himself before the Lord no matter how he may be perceived by the people for having done so.
2. He will give glory to God because it is God who has appointed him as ruler over all Israel (v. 21-22).
3. There is a powerful lesson to us in this episode. We should humble ourselves before the Lord no matter how others may perceive us when we do. Our relationship to Him is more important than our relationship to any other (cf. Lk. 18:28-30). When we are insulted and persecuted for His name’s sake let us rejoice to be counted worthy to share the sufferings of Christ (1 Pet. 4:13).
4. We should learn to show honor to those who humble themselves before the Lord. We should not be like Michal and the maid servants who despised David because of his humility before the Lord.
III. God will build David a house (7:1-16).A. Walter Brueggemann (First and Second Samuel, p. 253) says of 2 Sam. 7, “It occupies the dramatic and theological center of the entire Samuel corpus. Indeed, this is one of the most crucial texts of the Old Testament.” I agree, but even with this Brueggemann may have understated his case.
B. Why?
1. This text gives us insight into the whole movement of God’s plan in history.
2. This text gives us insight into the very nature of God and His activity in the affairs of men.
3. This text identifies a kingdom established by God that lasts forever.
C. There is an interesting turn of events in this chapter. David plans to build a house for God. This seems like a good idea. David has a special relationship with God. He wants to honor the Lord by building Him a house. Nathan the prophet even approves the plan.
1. God asks David, “Are you the one to build Me a house?”
2. “No,” the Lord says, “I will build a house for you” (7:11).
3. Even with our best intentions we act in ways that are counter to the ways of God.
D. The passage is deeply reflective of God’s control and the need of man’s submission.
1. “I took you from the pasture and made you ruler” (v. 8).
2. “I have been with you and cut off your enemies . . . “ (v. 9).
3. “I will make you great . . .“ (v. 9).
4. “I will appoint a place for My people” (v. 10).
5. “I will give you rest from your enemies” (v. 11).
6. “The Lord will make a house for you” (v. 11).
7. “I will raise up your descendent” (v. 12).
8. “I will establish his kingdom” (v. 12).
9. “I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever” (v. 13).
E. David’s prayer is reflective of this same sentiment (vs. 18-29).
1. “Who am I?”
2. “You have spoken.”
3. “You have done all this greatness.”
4. “You are great.”
5. “Your people you redeemed.”
6. “You have revealed to Your servant, saying, I will build you a house.”
7. Etc.
F. There are many things to be said about this passage, about the kingdom of David, and Solomon and about the dynasty of David. Truly it is the precursor to the kingdom of the Messiah, the type, the shadow of what was to come, the kingdom of God. See Psa. 89:4, 27; 132:11-12; Lk. 1:32-33; Acts 2:30
1. But what I want you to see is that God establishes it. He rules in the affairs of men.
2. Contrast what is said here with the idea that God was unable to establish His kingdom when Jesus came. Premillennial concepts violate the very nature of the Lord God who rules in the affairs of men.
G. The ark and the temple that David would build are merely symbols of God’s presence. The house that God will build is the actual execution of His presence among His people. Cf. an e-mail announcing a visit with the actual visit.
Conclusion:
1. We need to appreciate the awesome power of God’s presence among us. 2. Too often we get so attached to symbols that we miss the reality itself. 3. We become so focused on ourselves and our petty attempts to honor the Lord that we act disrespectfully. 4. And, like Michal, sometimes we are so focused on the honor of men that we dishonor the one who honors the Lord. 5. It is all about Him and all about His glory. God has brought us to this point, therefore we should be thankful.
