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Outline 060 of 100 · 2 Samuel

David Brings Up the Ark

2 Samuel 6:1-15 — Worship according to God's prescribed way, not our own convenience

Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.

Synopsis

David's first attempt to bring the ark to Jerusalem was sincere, joyful, and utterly wrong in method: the ark was carried on a new cart, Philistine style, instead of on the shoulders of the Levites as God had prescribed, and when the oxen stumbled, Uzzah's reflexive touch to steady it cost him his life. David's anger and fear following this tragedy gave way, three months later, to a corrected approach — this time the ark was carried properly by the Levites, with sacrifice offered every six paces, and David himself danced before the Lord with such abandon that his wife Michal despised him for it. The narrative teaches that sincerity and enthusiasm, however genuine, cannot substitute for obedience to God's revealed way of approach; worship that ignores God's prescribed order, however well-intentioned, remains presumption, while worship that combines wholehearted joy with careful obedience honors both the heart and the holiness of God.

  1. I. A sincere but disobedient first attempt

    • The ark was placed on a new cart instead of carried by Levites
    • Good intentions did not correct a violation of God's prescribed method
    • Sincerity is not the same as obedience

  2. II. Uzzah's costly reflex

    • A stumble triggered an instinctive but forbidden touch of the ark
    • The consequence exposed how seriously God regards prescribed holiness
    • Familiarity with sacred things can breed careless presumption

  3. III. David's anger turned to reflection

    • Fear and anger at first kept David from continuing the journey
    • Three months of reflection led to a corrected approach
    • Godly correction takes time to process without abandoning the goal

  4. IV. Obedient worship, wholehearted and unashamed

    • The second attempt followed God's prescribed order exactly
    • David danced before the Lord with total abandon
    • Michal's contempt shows that some will always despise uninhibited, obedient worship
The appeal

Sincerity is never a substitute for obedience in worship. Come to God today not on your own new cart of convenience, but according to His prescribed way in Christ — and when you do, worship Him with the same wholehearted abandon David showed, unconcerned with who despises it.

Key points

  • Sincerity and enthusiasm cannot substitute for obedience to God's prescribed way
  • Careless familiarity with sacred things can breed costly presumption
  • Wholehearted, obedient worship may be despised by onlookers but is honored by God

Key passages

  • 2 Samuel 6:6-7
  • 2 Samuel 6:13-14
  • 1 Chronicles 15:13-15
  • 2 Samuel 6:16, 20-22