2 Samuel 6

GETTING IT RIGHT

 

Cyril Barber told of a church in Illinois that fired its pastor.  "Everyone had liked him.  He preached well and was genuinely concerned about the wellbeing of his flock. And the church had grown under his leadership.

 

"The board, however, was comprised of influential businessmen who had built their companies into mega-corporations with world-wide interests. These men reasoned that if they had been eminently successful in the secular sphere, then why not apply these same principles to the church. They developed a forward-looking philosophy. They had a five-year plan that included radio and television programs, and a ten-year plan that anticipated educating missionaries and placing them in every country of the world.

 

"These men felt that the pastor was an impediment to their plans because he did not agree with their procedures. So they did what large corporations are prone to do: they got rid of him. And with him out of the way, they felt sure that nothing could now hinder the implementation of their ideas. They would soon be the example of a vibrant evangelical church - a model for the rest of the world.

 

"There was a fly in the ointment, however, and it was made up of the congregation. They became disgruntled with the authoritarianism of the board and their many demands. One by one they left. Within a year, those attending services had dropped from a little over two thousand to about sixty-two." Cyril J. Barber, The Books of Samuel, Volume 2, The Sovereignty of God illustrated in the Life of David,  © 2000 by Cyril J. Barber, Loizeaux Brothers Inc. Nepture, New Jersey Pages 95-96

 

In my opinion, the board was trying to do a right thing.  They were trying to expand their local church. 

 

The trouble was, they were trying to do a right thing the wrong way!  Working with the pastor, and using Biblical principles, they could have probably done things in a better way.

 

You and I have had similar experiences.  There have times when we have tried to do the right thing the wrong way.  Dottie and I tried to put a belt on a vacuum cleaner Friday night.  It was the right thing to do, but for the longest time, we went at in the wrong way.  Finally, we got it right.

 

In dealing with our marriages and our children we often want to accomplish the right things, but we don't always use the right methods.  We have trouble getting it right.  And in our Christian walk with God, we often want to the right thing, but somehow we go about it in the wrong way.

 

Tonight I want to talk to you about getting it right. King David was known as a man after God's own heart.  However, we have already seen that David was not perfect.  He too, tried to do the right thing in the wrong way.  Eventually however, he would end up getting it right.

 

In studying 2 Samuel 6, I came up with Five Principles that will help us in getting it right.

 

HAVE GOOD INTENTIONS - Vss. 1-2

LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP - Vss. 3-5

DON'T TAKE GOD LIGHTLY - Vss. 6-10

TRY AGAIN - Vss. 11-19

EXPECT CRITICISM - Vss. 20-23

 

By way of background, David had been crowned King of the Tribe of Judah after the death of Saul.  There was rebellion on the part of the rest of Israel. 

After a long war, the two nations were united as Israel.  David conquered Jerusalem, and made it the capital city.

 

HAVE GOOD INTENTIONS - Vss. 1-2

 

Vss. 1-2 - I could have confused everyone if I used the title for this story that Chuck Swindoll used.  He called it "David and the Ark".

 

The Ark was probably the most valuable artifact that Israel possessed.  But it wasn't a big boat!

 

Chuck Swindoll - "The name itself means 'box' or 'chest.' God himself gave the original blueprint to Moses. The ark was made of wood, rectangular in share, gold-plated inside and out. It had a decorative gold border around it, forming a rim.

 

Another significant part of the ark was its cover. On top of this open chest was a grate, a see-though covering made of gold, called the mercy seat. It perfectly matched the dimensions of the chest. At either end of the cover was a hammered gold cherubim… These golden angels were facing each other, with wings outstretched over the golden grate. These creatures looked down upon the chest. Apparently these cherubim were small because a solid gold piece would be extremely heavy.  If they had been very large they would have made the ark top heavy. It would be awkward to carry it. The whole thing had to be mobile.

 

"…Beneath the place within the ark were three objects: a golden jar containing manna from the wilderness, Aaron's ancient rod, and the tables of the covenant, that is, the tablets of stone.  God had promised that He would meet with His people above the mercy seat."  Charles R. Swindoll, A Man of Passion and Destiny, David, © 1997 by Charles R. Swindoll, Word Publishing Inc., Dallas TX, Page 147

 

The Ark of the Covenant was the place where God chose to place His presence in a tangible form on earth.  It was to be kept in the "Holy of Holies" in the tabernacle or temple.

 

Years before the Philistines had captured the Ark, but returned it in a few months.  They put it on a new cart, had a couple of cattle pull it, and sent it back to Israel.  Eventually it was brought to the house of a man named Abinadab, and remained there for many years.

 

When David became king this is where the Ark was still residing.

David decided that it was time to bring the Ark to Jerusalem. Jerusalem was the capital city, and the place where the Ark should have been.  This would also allow David to centralize the worship of the Lord, and David would also have the Lord's tangible presence close to himself.

 

David had good intentions.

He gathered his army together, probably for safety, and traveled the few miles it was away in order to bring the Ark to Jerusalem.

 

I personally feel that good intentions are, well, good!

Good intentions are good especially when they are centered abound loving, serving, and knowing God.

 

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 - Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: [5] And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

 

I wish more Christians had more good intentions.

More Christians should intend to live Godly lives.

More Christians should intend to have devotions.

More Christians should intend to attend more services.

More Christians should intend to witness.

More Christians should intend to have fellowship with other Christians.

More Christians should intend to help other Christians and non-Christians.

More Christians should intend to have Spiritual marriages and Godly children.

I'm sure you could add to this list.  

 

I have to add that good intentions are not enough.  David acted on his good intentions, and we need to act on ours.  As we'll see in a moment, David didn't do what he intended to do in the right way.  We need to act in the right way to accomplish our good intentions.

 

Do you have any good intentions that you are working on for the Lord?  If not, I pray that you will get some tonight!

 

HAVE GOOD INTENTIONS - Vss. 1-2

LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP - Vss. 3-5

 

In other words, think and pray it through.

Do it right the first time.

Make sure you are doing it the way God wants it to be done.

 

Vss. 3-5 - Well, so far, so good.  They got a new cart, just like the Philistines. They loaded on the Ark on the new cart and had one of Abinadab's sons as the driver. The other son led the way.

David and everyone else started worshipping God.

 

Everything seemed fine.

There was only one problem.

God never said to put the Ark on a cart.

God said, "When you move the Ark, the Levites will carry it." 

There were even rings attached to the ark so polls could be put through them.

 

Exodus 37:3-5 - And he cast for it four rings of gold, to be set by the four corners of it; even two rings upon the one side of it, and two rings upon the other side of it. [4] And he made staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold. [5] And he put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, to bear the ark.

 

It was the Levites who were to carry the Ark and the Ark was not to be touched. The sons of Kohath, who were to transport the holy things were told not to touch them lest they die.  

 

Before we do something for the Lord, we need to check and see if the Lord has given instructions how to do it.

Many people, even Christians, think that the end justifies the means.  That is, it doesn't matter how I get something done, as long as I get it done.

 

This is not true.  If I am going to serve God, I am to do things God's way.

 

Colossians 3:17 - And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

 

If I am going to do something in the name of the Lord Jesus I must do it the way He wants it done.   

 

And if we are going to do things the way God wants them done, we must first learn to practice holiness.

 

Hebrews 12:14 - Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

 

1 Peter 1:15-16 - But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; [16] Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

 

So before we do anything for the Lord, let's make sure our methods are His methods.   

 

HAVE GOOD INTENTIONS - Vss. 1-2

LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP - Vss. 3-5

DON'T TAKE GOD LIGHTLY - Vss. 6-10

 

Vss. 6-7 - God's word, said, "Don't Touch!"

               Uzzah did what he shouldn't have done.

               He touched it!

               God struck him dead.

 

Uzzah had taken the things of God lightly.

Uzzah was irreverent.

 

There was a New Testament couple that also took the things of God lightly.  They lied about an amount they sold a plot of land for.  They had lied before God, and God struck them dead too. Their names were Ananaias and Saphira.

 

How do we take the things of God lightly?

When we disobey the laws of the land, even the speed limits.

When we tell jokes that demean God and His Word.

When we take the name of the Lord in vain.

When we make a promise that we don't keep.

When we have more time for sports than we do for devotion to God.

When we disobey one of the Ten Commandments.

When we worship ourselves instead of worshipping God.

 

Oh yes, we've all done these things.  That's why Jesus had to die for us.  And yes, we'll do some of these again, but that should be the exception in our lives, not the rule.

 

I'm so glad for the gracious promise of God found in

1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

Vss. 7-10 - David had two reactions. First, he was displeased with God.  God did what David didn't want.  God was not as gracious as David thought he should be.  David was forgetting just how holy and righteous God is.

 

Secondly David was afraid of the Lord.  He was afraid that something else would happen. And rather than take any chances of another catastrophe, the ark was move to the home of a man named Obed-edom.     

 

David had reason to be afraid of the Lord at this time.  Wrong had been done. God had judged. There was reason for fear.

 

If we are going to avoid taking God lightly we need to fear the Lord before bad things happen.  Fear of the Lord has much to do with reverence and respect. 

 

Psalm 111:10 - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

 

Proverbs 1:7 - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

 

Proverbs 9:10 - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

 

HAVE GOOD INTENTIONS - Vss. 1-2

LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP - Vss. 3-5

DON'T TAKE GOD LIGHTLY - Vss. 6-10

TRY AGAIN - Vss. 11-19

 

We don't always get a second chance after we've tried to do the right thing the wrong way.  But when we do get a second chance, we should take it.

 

Vs. 11 - For three months the Ark stayed in the home of Obed-edom.  Obviously nobody touched it.  But because the presence of God was there, the people were blessed.

 

Vs. 12 - David heard of the blessings, and I believed that this prompted Him to have the blessings of God's presence.

 

When we see blessings, especially Spiritual ones, in the lives of those who are walking closely to God, this should prompt us to want to get close to God ourselves.

 

David would try again.  This time however, David had done his homework and David would do it right!

 

1 Chronicles 15 tells us that David prepared a tent in which to put the Ark.  Then it tells us that David realized that the Ark was to be carried by the Levites.  Then David gathered the religious leaders together and gave them instructions.

 

1 Chronicles 15:12-14 - And said unto them, Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it. [13] For because ye did it not at the first, the Lord our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order. [14] So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel.

 

Vs. 13 - They took six steps and then stopped and offered a sacrifice to God. I believe now that David was sincerely trying to do what was right.  

 

Vss. 14-15 - There was great joy and worship on the part of David and his people.

 

There was joy because they were doing it the right way and knew it.

There was freedom in their worship because they were doing it the right way.

David and his people were free because they were going according to the Book.

 

What good intentions have you had that have failed?

Go to the Word of God. Find out how to do it right, and try again!

 

HAVE GOOD INTENTIONS - Vss. 1-2

LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP - Vss. 3-5

DON'T TAKE GOD LIGHTLY - Vss. 6-10

TRY AGAIN - Vss. 11-19

EXPECT CRITICISM - Vss. 20-23

 

Whenever we try to do what is right for God there will be opposition.

 

Psalm 34:19 - Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.

 

2 Timothy 3:12 - Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

 

Often our opposition comes from members of our own family.

David was not dressed as a king when he worshipped before the Lord.

 

Vs. 16 - David's original wife, Michal, was King Saul's daughter. And although she loved David at one time, she didn't love him now.  For whatever reason, she despised him.   

   

Vss. 17-19 - David worshipped, offered, and gave his people a portion of food.

 

The people were happy.

David was happy.

And it's pretty obvious, that God was pleased.

 

Vs. 20- David comes home to bless his own household, and he is confronted by Michal.

 

Watch it! When things are going the best, Satan will attack, and often through someone you know.  She accused him of acting in an indiscrete way.

 

Vss. 21-22 - David's reaction was to remind her that God had given him the kingdom instead of her father, and that he had every right to worship God.

 

When people find fault with us, let's remember that we are children of God and that we serve Him. It is He that gives out the rewards. It is He we need to please.

 

HAVE GOOD INTENTIONS - Vss. 1-2

LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP - Vss. 3-5

DON'T TAKE GOD LIGHTLY - Vss. 6-10

TRY AGAIN - Vss. 11-19

EXPECT CRITICISM - Vss. 20-23