Devotional Thoughts about 2 Samuel 6:12-21
To understand this story, it’s important to know what the Ark of the Covenant was. As the people of Israel had been traveling to Canaan some 450 years earlier, God had specified that this chest of wood overlaid with gold was to be made according to His detailed instructions.
This would be the place where He would reside among His people. Of course God doesn’t need food or shelter, but His invisible presence would dwell between the angel figures on the lid of the Ark within the Tabernacle as the focus of the people’s worship.
In Canaan, the Tabernacle including the Ark was settled in Shiloh, where the priests carried out the prescribed sacrifices and rituals as the people worshipped God. At a certain low point in Israel’s history, some corrupt priests took the Ark along into battle (see 1 Samuel Chapter 4), and the conquering Philistines took it among the spoils. They soon sent it back because it was only a curse for them.
The Israelites stored it for many years, being afraid to touch it. Finally, when David became king over all of Israel, one of his first priorities was to bring the Ark to Jerusalem. The initial attempt failed as yet another person who touched it died, but when they followed the exact instructions given to Moses, it arrived without incident. David was thrilled that they could finally worship God again as He intended. Ignoring his own royal dignity, David danced for joy and praised God with a psalm.
Lord, thank You for the joy of being Your child. Help me to project it to others as I praise You.
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