H HIGHLIGHT: 1 Chronicles 13 15; 2 Samuel 6:12-15 1 Chronicles 13 1 David consulted with all his officials, including the generals and captains of his army. 2 Then he addressed the entire assembly of Israel as follows: If you approve and if it is the will of the Lord our God, let us send messages to all the Israelites throughout the land, including the priests and Levites in their towns and pasturelands. Let us invite them to come and join us. 3 It is time to bring back the Ark of our God, for we neglected it during the reign of Saul. 4 The whole assembly agreed to this, for the people could see it was the right thing to do. 6 Then David and all Israel went to Baalah of Judah (also called Kiriath-jearim) to bring back the Ark of God, which bears the name of the Lord who is enthroned between the cherubim. 7 They placed the Ark of God on a new cart and brought it from Abinadab s house. Uzzah and Ahio were guiding the cart. 8 David and all Israel were celebrating before God with all their might. 9 But when they arrived at the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the Ark. 10 Then the Lord s anger was aroused against Uzzah, and he struck him dead because he had laid his hand on the Ark. So Uzzah died there in the presence of God. 11 David was angry because the Lord s anger had burst out against Uzzah. He named that place Perezuzzah (which means to burst out against Uzzah ), as it is still called today. 12 David was now afraid of God, and he asked, How can I ever bring the Ark of God back into my care? 13 So David did not move the Ark into the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-edom of Gath. 14 The Ark of God remained there in Obed-edom s house for three months, and the Lord blessed the household of Obed-edom and everything he owned. 1 Chronicles 14 1 Then King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar timber, and stonemasons and carpenters to build him a palace. 2 And David realized that the Lord had confirmed him as king over Israel and had greatly blessed his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel. 8 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, they mobilized all their forces to capture him. But David was told they were coming, so he marched out to meet them. 9 The Philistines arrived and made a raid in the valley of Rephaim. 10 So David asked God, Should I go out to fight the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me? The Lord replied, Yes, go ahead. I will hand them over to you. 11 So David and his troops went up to Baal-perazim and defeated the Philistines there. God did it! David exclaimed. He used me to burst through my enemies like a raging flood! So they named that Page 1! of 6!
place Baal-perazim (which means the Lord who bursts through ). 12 The Philistines had abandoned their gods there, so David gave orders to burn them. 13 But after a while the Philistines returned and raided the valley again. 14 And once again David asked God what to do. Do not attack them straight on, God replied. Instead, circle around behind and attack them near the poplar trees. 15 When you hear a sound like marching feet in the tops of the poplar trees, go out and attack! That will be the signal that God is moving ahead of you to strike down the Philistine army. 16 So David did what God commanded, and they struck down the Philistine army all the way from Gibeon to Gezer. 17 So David s fame spread everywhere, and the Lord caused all the nations to fear David. 1 Chronicles 15 1 David now built several buildings for himself in the City of David. He also prepared a place for the Ark of God and set up a special tent for it. 2 Then he commanded, No one except the Levites may carry the Ark of God. The Lord has chosen them to carry the Ark of the Lord and to serve him forever. 3 Then David summoned all Israel to Jerusalem to bring the Ark of the Lord to the place he had prepared for it. 25 Then David and the elders of Israel and the generals of the army went to the house of Obed-edom to bring the Ark of the Lord s Covenant up to Jerusalem with a great celebration. 26 And because God was clearly helping the Levites as they carried the Ark of the Lord s Covenant, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams. 27 David was dressed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who carried the Ark, and also the singers, and Kenaniah the choir leader. David was also wearing a priestly garment. 28 So all Israel brought up the Ark of the Lord s Covenant with shouts of joy, the blowing of rams horns and trumpets, the crashing of cymbals, and loud playing on harps and lyres. 29 But as the Ark of the Lord s Covenant entered the City of David, Michal, the daughter of Saul, looked down from her window. When she saw King David skipping about and laughing with joy, she was filled with contempt for him. 2 Samuel 6 12 Then King David was told, The Lord has blessed Obed-edom s household and everything he has because of the Ark of God. So David went there and brought the Ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the City of David with a great celebration. 13 After the men who were carrying the Ark of the Lord had gone six steps, David sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. 14 And David danced before the Lord with all his might, wearing a priestly garment. 15 So David and all the people of Israel brought up the Ark of the Lord with shouts of joy and the blowing of rams horns. E EXPLAIN LEADER: Feel free to use any of the Explain materials to guide discussion as it is needed or to expound on a certain area of the text as it comes up during your Life Group time, but the purpose of this section is to deepen your own personal understanding of the Word. Your members have access to all of this material as well. Page 2! of 6!
Reconciling two accounts of one person s life is often difficult. The writers may have different agendas so their material may be organized differently. Their material may be weighted differently so that the emphases of the accounts are not the same. Such is the case with 2 Samuel s and 1 Chronicle s records of David s life. Generally, 2 Samuel is more of a historical record, probably written around 950 930 B.C., shortly after David s reign. The author of 2 Samuel is uncertain. 1 Chronicles is more theological. Probably written by Ezra around 430 B.C., it s purpose is to remind the people who have come back from the exile that they have a rich heritage and to unify the people under the hand of God. It focuses on lessons to be learned more than historical accuracy. But there is one thing that we learn from David whether reading Samuel or reading Chronicles: all of God s saints (in the Bible, or in 21st century Carroll County) need to drink daily from the fountain of God s grace. Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life (written by David in Psalm 139:23-24). 1 Chronicles 13 vv.1-8 Saul has died. God has given the Throne to David, the man after his heart. After reigning as King of Judah for seven years David assumes the Throne of all Israel. After defeating the Jebusites in Jerusalem, David names the fortress of Zion as his capitol the City of David. In spite of the great victories he had won, in spite of his brilliant military campaigns, David never forgot that he was to be the Shepherd of God s people (see 2 Samuel 5:2). He was aware that there was some unfinished business and he set out to right the wrong. The Ark of God that bears the Name of the Lord who is enthroned between the cherubim must be brought to Jerusalem to be with the people of God. It was the right thing to do. It was a great day of celebration. David was a conqueror, but he may never have been more proud of any parade than the one that would place the Ark of God where it belonged. vv.9-10 The celebration was short-lived. The Lord s anger was aroused against Uzzah, and he struck him dead because he laid his hand on the ark. Some of the Dead Sea Scrolls and Masoretic Text of 2 Samuel 6:7 suggest that God s anger was ignited by more than a simple touch. Uzza s action was a reflection of an irreverent act (NIV) or error (ESV). When coupled with the fact that the Ark of God had always been God s chosen way of representing His presence (see v.6), and that the Ark had been placed on an ox cart instead of being carried on poles held by the priests, perhaps human hands on the Ark was the straw that broke the camel s back. You don t trifle with God. He is not to be taken lightly (see Romans 1:21-23). Maybe the church (collectively and as individual members) should reverently live their lives as the temple of the Holy Spirit (see 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:19-20). vv.11-14 v.11 prompts us to ask the question: was David s anger with God based on what God had done to Uzzah for something so innocent as steadying the Ark (v.9), or was it Page 3! of 6!
because David knew he was the one who should have been punished not Uzzah? Had David become so excited about returning the Ark to Jerusalem, that he failed to return it the right way (not on a cart, not with men ready to steady it with their hands) in a manner that reverenced the Holiness of God? How often we want to right a wrong, fix a mess but we do it the wrong way because we think we know better than God. And what was entered into with high expectations, ends up with disappointment and hurt. So, David was now afraid of God, wondering how he could ever be the one to get the Ark to Jerusalem. We know what that is like. I messed it up this time (or again), I m not fit to be used again. And we develop an unhealthy fear of God that drives us to our knees in condemnation instead of repentance (see Romans 7:21 8:1). 1 Chronicles 14 vv.1-2 A ray of sunshine pierces our darkest nights when God confirms that we are in the right place doing the right things. Such was the day that David realized that the Lord had confirmed him as King over Israel. There had many clouds in his life over the past fifteen years. The anger of King Saul. Jonathan s death. Living life on the run. Wondering if he would live long enough to be king. But the confirmation came. David was where he was supposed to be. Confusing times are sometimes just around the corner. And we wonder That is when we have to recall those things we know about God. Many of David s psalms begin with confusion in the midst of trouble but end with the strong affirmation that mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea, the Lord on High is mighty (see Ps. 93:3-4). Hear the word of God and let Him confirm His love for you. vv.8-17 So David did what God commanded. And he experienced the moving of the hand of God. God did it He used me! How surprised we are when God does what He says. When the dust has settled, we begin to realized that it s not God s part in the plan that we need to worry about. It s our own. God has confirmed us as His anointed priests (Revelation 1:6). When we accept that confirmation in spite of past confusion we will shout to the heavens, God did it! 1 Chronicles 15 and 2 Samuel 6:12-15 In chapter 13 David s great plans to relocate the Ark of God ended in disaster, bitterness, and a sense of uselessness (13:12). But David has experienced the grace and mercy of God the realization that God was not through with him and found renewed excitement and courage to do the right thing the right way. There was great celebration and great awe of God (2 Samuel 6:12-13). Maybe here we see the content of true worship: reverence and awe of God, plus celebration of God s grace toward us. God is not to be trifled with His ways are right. At the same time He is to be celebrated as the God of second chances. David knew that. This time He would do the right thing the right way (1 Chronicles 15:1-2; 2 Samuel 6:13); at the same time he was Page 4! of 6!
free to enjoy the mercy of God who picks us up, brushes us off, and whispers to us, I m moving forward, and I would love for you to come with Me. A APPLY 1. What stuck out to you or challenged you in what you heard in the sermon or read in the text? LEADER: Remember to be comfortable with some silence while people reread the text or think back to the sermon. If no one has shared after a few minutes, be prepared to share what challenged or stuck out to you. 2. Think of a time in your life when you knew what God s way was, but decided to go your own way or do your own thing. What was going on in your heart that influenced you against God? What was the result? LEADER: Pay close attention to heart themes here (fear of man, lust for more, etc). It may be true that some person or thought was an influence, but what was going on in his/her own heart? Ultimately, what we do/think/want comes from our hearts Proverbs 4:23, Luke 6:43-45. Be ready to make much of the gospel and the fact that God has given us new life. 3. How have you experienced devastation when you thought you were going to experience celebration? Like David, were your intentions good but you went about the solution the wrong way? Or perhaps you are suffering, but it is not as a result of disobedience (think about Job). How has God, in His grace, guided you through those floods and pounding waves into the sea of His peace? 4. In your worship (privately and corporately) how do you balance the elements of the awe and wonder and the celebration of God s grace? R RESPOND Beth Moore has suggested that it would help us, when we are going through those confusing times, to make sure we are basing our faith on who God is and not on what He does. If you are in one of those times right now remember that we will never understand God s ways (see Isaiah 55:9) we are not God, but we can soak in who He is. Take time to read one of the Gospels this week (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John) asking God to reveal Himself to you in the life of Jesus. Let the Holy Spirit flood your heart with God s love for you. If you are not in one of those times, it would be good to begin your preparation for those times by seeing our Page 5! of 6!
Awesome God through the life of Jesus in the gospels. It is much better to learn how to swim before the floods come. Find two verses relating to God s attributes (who God is) in the Gospel that you read and memorize them. Write these verses on separate notecards and carry them around with you to help you memorize and meditate on them. Share these verses with a member of your life group and tell him/her how that attribute gives you hope. Page 6! of 6!