Read 1 Chronicles 15:1-29
David made sure he handled the movement of the Ark differently this time. He had learned from his mistakes and was sure to receive God’s counsel about the proper way to move the Ark the second time.
It was quite the event. I recently had this story come up for my orphanage Sunday School class, but we read the account in 2 Samuel 6. While similar, the differences are striking. There are three that stood out to me: (1) both accounts of moving the Ark are recorded together by Samuel; (2) the Chronicles account focuses much more on the worship and celebration; and (3) the Samuel text goes into more detail about Michal’s contempt and consequence.
Because we’re reading 1 Chronicles, let’s spend time reflecting on the worship side of the event. David wanted to make sure the Ark’s movement went seamlessly this time. How helpful that he realized that what he was missing before was God’s input. That’s a good reminder to us when things aren’t working the way we’d like them to. Perhaps we need to reconvene with God and listen closer to his directions.
Many times we look to God’s word for direction. I’m sure we’ve all encountered passages that seem to indicate the solution we need, but that solution isn’t always popular or easy. For both situations, it helps if we focus on our loving God who provides for our needs. Isn’t it always easier to want to please a generous person? God’s generosity has no bounds.
I’m with David. Let’s celebrate God! To them, the Ark represents God by holding God’s presence. It seems odd to us to think of that much devotion to an object. But the Ark was special, it was holy. Even God acknowledged that and set out the perfect way to be moved.
The Chronicler focuses on the worship and how many priests and Levites were needed for the procession. We hear all of Israel was asked to be part of this movement. David was calling on everyone to celebrate God’s arrival to Jerusalem. This was only the beginning to how David would rely on God throughout his reign.
It would have been the perfect day, except for David’s wife, Michal. She doesn’t seem pleased and puts a bit of a damper on the celebration. Other than being embarrassed by her husband’s behavior (as recorded in 2 Samuel), I can’t understand what she would have against having the presence of the Lord Almighty in Jerusalem. But mention of her disapproval was recorded twice.
Focus instead on the worship and how the people celebrated God that day. How do you celebrate God? Do you need a big event, or do you honor and praise him continually?
Let’s pray. Lord, I know I could praise you more than I do for all the marvelous things you do. I love hearing stories from other believers about how you are working in their life. It’s like the Bible stories just keep happening. I appreciated the focus on worshipping you in this account of moving the Ark. I pray for that spirit of rejoicing in your presence to be ignited around the world today. The world needs to be celebrating you, too, God. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
