“So David would not remove the ark of the LORD unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.”
To understand the significance of this verse, let’s examine the context and the lessons we can learn from it.
Historical Context:In this passage, David, who had become the king of Israel, desired to bring the Ark of the Covenant, which represented the presence and glory of God, to Jerusalem. However, in their first attempt to move the Ark, a tragic incident occurred when Uzzah reached out and touched the Ark to steady it, resulting in his death. This event led David to pause and reconsider how to handle the Ark properly.
David’s Reaction: After the incident with Uzzah, David was afraid and realized the importance of following God’s instructions for handling the Ark. In verse 9, David said, “How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?” He became cautious and sought God’s guidance on how to proceed.
Carrying the Ark Aside:In 2 Samuel 6:10, we see David’s decision not to bring the Ark into the city of David immediately. Instead, he carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite. Obededom was a Levite from the Gittite clan, and he and his household became custodians of the Ark.
Lessons from David’s Actions:
- Reverence and Obedience:David recognized the holiness and significance of the Ark of the Covenant. His fear and respect for God led him to pause and seek the Lord’s guidance. This shows us the importance of approaching God with reverence and obeying His commands.
- Seeking God’s Will:David’s decision to carry the Ark aside and entrust it to Obededom reveals his desire to seek God’s will rather than rushing forward. This teaches us the value of seeking God’s guidance in all aspects of our lives.
- Blessings for Obededom:By placing the Ark in the house of Obededom, God blessed his household. We later read that the Lord blessed Obededom and all that belonged to him (2 Samuel 6:11). This reminds us that obedience and faithfulness to God’s ways often result in His blessings.
- Preparation for the Future:David’s temporary arrangement with Obededom allowed time for David and the people to learn from their mistakes and to prepare themselves to properly bring the Ark to Jerusalem later. Sometimes, God’s timing requires preparation and learning from past experiences.
In summary:2 Samuel 6:10 shows us David’s reaction to the death of Uzzah and his decision to carry the Ark aside into the house of Obededom. It teaches us the importance of reverence, seeking God’s will, obedience, and the blessings that come from faithfully following God’s ways.
