David Brings the Ark to Jerusalem

2 Samuel 6

            David’s enthusiasm stands out. He is determined to bring the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem. And his joy overflows; there is a band and David dances so vigorously that Michal suggests he was in danger of exposing himself! David offers sacrifices every six steps of the final leg, and that’s a lot of sacrifices! (I read estimates of everything from 3 to 12 miles for the last leg!) So, point one: oh, to have that kind of joy in the presence of the Lord! The ark of the covenant represented the saving presence of the Lord among His people, and we experience the same thing every week when we hear His Word and receive Jesus’ body and blood at church. Here is the saving presence of God in our day! “Come into His presence with thanksgiving” (Psalm 100:4)!

            On closer examination, there’s some irregularities going on with the ark. It’s transported on a cart, not carried by its poles on the shoulders of the Levites. It may or not be covered. There’s no mention of the tabernacle; David pitches a tent, but where are the rest of the implements, where is the altar, where is the process for sacrifice? Finally, why is David making sacrifices? That’s exactly the kind of thing that got Saul in trouble with the Lord! I don’t have great answers. We can speculate that the rest of the tabernacle and its furniture were destroyed when the Philistine captured Shiloh in 1 Samuel 4. We know that Saul killed dozens of priests at Nod (1 Samuel 22). It’s just possible that the true religion of Israel had been almost completely snuffed out in the last 40-60 years of the story. So, second point: we should recognize how fragile the faith can be—both personally and congregationally. It’s important to nurture it—both personally and congregationally—through attendance on Word and Sacrament.

            Finally, a political note. David had demanded the return of his first wife, Michal, Saul’s daughter, but it seems to have been a blatantly political move. He couldn’t have Saul’s daughter out there potentially having babies, potentially raising little claimants on his throne. He needed her connection to Saul’s family, but he couldn’t risk her offspring. The personal toll comes clear when Michal derides David for his ‘unkingly’ behavior, and we have the note, “She had no children to the day of her death.” It seems David simply banished her to the harem and never had contact with her again. (She’s never mentioned by name in the Bible again.) I have no third point: I just find the palace intrigues interesting.