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Where We Are in David’s Story
By this point in the series, we have covered:
- David’s anointing and the defeat of Goliath (1 Samuel 16–17)
- David at Saul’s court — the friendship with Jonathan, the persecution by Saul
- David’s years as a fugitive and outlaw — his formation in the wilderness
Now David has been crowned king — first over Judah (2 Sam 2), then over all Israel (2 Sam 5). He has captured Jerusalem and made it his capital. The central event of this session: the Ark comes to Jerusalem, and God makes His covenant with David.
Part 1: The Ark of the Covenant
What Was Inside the Ark (Hebrews 9:4)
“…the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant.” — Hebrews 9:4
| Contents | Significance |
|---|---|
| The tablets of the Law | God’s covenant with Israel; His commandments |
| The golden urn of manna | God’s provision in the wilderness — bread from heaven |
| Aaron’s staff that budded | God’s validation of priestly authority; resurrection power |
The Ark was the meeting point between God and Israel — the place where the glory (Shekinah) of God dwelt.
The History of the Ark
- Built by Bezalel at Sinai (Exodus 37), carried by the Levites
- Led Israel into the Jordan River (Joshua 3)
- Carried around Jericho (Joshua 6)
- Captured by the Philistines (1 Samuel 4) — but the Philistines suffered plagues and returned it
- Kept at Kiriath-jearim for twenty years (1 Sam 7)
Why Bring the Ark to Jerusalem?
David understood that Jerusalem was to be the center of worship — the place God had chosen for His name to dwell. Bringing the Ark to Jerusalem was a theological statement:
- The political capital and the spiritual center would be one
- Jerusalem would be the city of God and the city of the king
Part 2: The Death of Uzzah — Three Reasons for Error
“And when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah, and God struck him down there because of his error, and he died there beside the ark of God.” — 2 Samuel 6:6–7
This is one of the most disturbing passages in the Old Testament. Uzzah appears to be doing the right thing — catching the Ark before it falls. And he dies.
Three reasons for the error:
1. Wrong Vehicle
The Ark was being transported on a cart (2 Sam 6:3). This was how the Philistines had returned it (1 Sam 6:7). But God’s command was that the Ark must be carried on the shoulders of the Levites (Numbers 7:9). By imitating the Philistines instead of following the Law, Israel had already made an error before Uzzah touched the Ark.
2. Wrong Person
Only the Levites — specifically the Kohathites — were permitted to carry and handle the Ark (Numbers 4:15). Uzzah was not from the right family for this task.
3. Wrong Motivation
Uzzah reached out to steady the Ark. From a human perspective, this was protective. But it revealed a deeper assumption: that the Ark needed human protection. The Holy of Holies needs no stabilizing from human hands. God’s Word is not in danger of falling.
The lesson: good intentions do not sanctify wrong methods. Zeal must be guided by knowledge (Romans 10:2).
“David was afraid of the LORD that day, and he said, ‘How can the ark of the LORD come to me?’” — 2 Samuel 6:9
Part 3: David Dancing Before the Ark
Three months later, after the Ark had brought blessing to the house of Obed-edom, David brought it to Jerusalem with proper reverence — Levites carrying it, sacrifices at every six steps.
“And David danced before the LORD with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod.” — 2 Samuel 6:14
David, the king of Israel, danced before the Ark like a common Levite — wearing a simple linen ephod (priestly garment) instead of royal robes. He humbled himself before God’s presence.
Michal’s Mockery
“And Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, and she despised him in her heart.” — 2 Samuel 6:16
Michal, Saul’s daughter, saw the king’s dance as undignified — beneath royal status. She said: “How the king of Israel honored himself today, uncovering himself today before the eyes of his servants’ female servants, as one of the vulgar fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!” (2 Sam 6:20).
David’s response:
“It was before the LORD, who chose me above your father and above all his house, to appoint me as prince over Israel, the people of the LORD — and I will celebrate before the LORD. I will be even more undignified than this, and I will be abased in my own eyes.” — 2 Samuel 6:21–22
David understood: worship is not about royal dignity. It is about God’s glory. When worship is about us — our dignity, our comfort, our reputation — we are worshiping ourselves.
Part 4: The Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7)
When the Ark is settled in Jerusalem, David has a desire: to build God a house (a Temple). His motivation is good — he lives in a cedar palace while God’s Ark is in a tent.
God’s answer through the prophet Nathan: Not you, but your son. And then something extraordinary happens — God turns David’s desire around:
“Moreover, the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house.” — 2 Samuel 7:11
God refuses David’s offer to build a house for God — and instead promises to build a house (dynasty, family, lineage) for David.
The Covenant: Immediate and Ultimate Fulfillment
| Promise | Immediate Fulfillment | Ultimate Fulfillment |
|---|---|---|
| ”I will raise up your offspring after you” | Solomon | Jesus Christ, Son of David |
| ”He shall build a house for my name” | Solomon builds the Temple | Christ builds the Church |
| ”I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son” | Solomon | ”You are my Son; today I have begotten you” (Ps 2:7; Heb 1:5) |
| “Your throne shall be established forever” | The Davidic dynasty | The Kingdom of Christ has no end (Luke 1:33) |
The Davidic Covenant is the bridge between the Old and New Testaments. Jesus is introduced in the New Testament as “son of David” (Matthew 1:1) because He is the fulfillment of this promise.
David’s Humble Response (2 Samuel 7:18–29)
After receiving this extraordinary promise, David goes and sits before the LORD — and his prayer is one of the most beautiful expressions of humility in Scripture:
“Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?” — 2 Samuel 7:18
He does not ask for more. He does not negotiate. He sits in astonishment before the grace of God.
Reflection Questions
- In what areas of your life are you transporting the Ark on a cart instead of the way God commanded — doing the right thing the wrong way?
- David danced “before the LORD” — not for the crowd, not for Michal. What would it look like to worship for God rather than for the approval of others?
- How does the Davidic Covenant increase your confidence that God keeps His promises?
- What is your response when God says “no” to a good desire and gives something different — and better?