1 Chronicles 13:1-14
13:1-4 David consulted the captains and leaders of Israel. One of three of David's best attributes was his sense of the community's well-being. He did not make hasty, self-righteous decisions. In decisions that affected the whole, the whole was consulted. Second, David possessed an eager willingness to collaborate with fellow workers of God. Third, David steadfastly obeyed God.
So when David had an idea to gather all of Israel to retrieve the ark of God, he consults both community and God. It was refreshing for Israel to have a king concerned about the state of the faith of the nation. The ark of God represented the everlasting covenant proffered by God first to Abraham, Genesis 15. The ark symbolized God's constant presence and had been with Israel since their exodus out of slavery in Egypt, Exodus 25. For the ark to be brought into the land promised by God, not inhabited by the people He promised it to would be a monumental moment.
At least as far as earth is involved, Jerusalem would be the permanent capital of this faith. The arrival of the ark would symbolize the fulfillment of a long journey and a grand promise. A small people made great, Deuteronomy 7:7. David recognized this but more importantly, genuinely wanted to celebrate God for His integrity and commitment.
13:5-6 With agreement from God and the leaders of Israel, it was determined that the ark will be brought from Judah. For them, the ark was where God's name was proclaimed. The rest of the world may not have understood, but this ark represented a sovereign God who reached out to an unremarkable people and declared them beloved through word and action. It mattered to have His name proclaimed, declared emphatically.
It does well for both a nation and an individual to acknowledge but also proclaim God and His sovereign reign. The arrival of the ark would cement the faith for Israel, a solid reminder of their history. A reminder that, without God's intervention, they would not be freed men but slaves in Egypt. Growth and prosperity like never before was in Israel's immediate sight and the ark represented precisely why such a blessed future now lay ahead of them.
God brought the people into the land; it was the people's responsibility to carry their faith into it with them. The concept of spirituality was not as easily grasped a concept for them then as it is for us now. Most of us are at least fairly comfortable with the idea of an unseen entity. But for our ancestors, this ark represented a God whose presence was undeniable but whose appearance was difficult to describe. Like, Israel, we must carry our faith with us into wherever we are led by God for two reasons. One, our relationship with God is too precious to be neglected. Two, if we cut off the source of our sustenance, we deprive ourselves of nourishment. In other words, blessings can only arrive through faith.
13:7-8 The ark arrived and Israel hosted a grand celebration. We are able to experience this celebration intimately through David in 2 Samuel 6. A set of mental snapshots of David's joy: v.14 Then David danced before the Lord with all his might; v.16 King David leaping and whirling before the Lord. David was described by God as a man after His own heart. We can see why: David has a deep and child-like love for God. The kind of love God yearns to have. In Matthew 19:14, Jesus explains that the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who love God as children love: innocently, fervently, reverently. God was David's hero and inspiration and joy. He lost himself in worship, surrendered himself to the expression of his love for God and let all else fall away.
And he was berated for it. His wife was embarrassed by it. But like a young child, David was unfazed, unconcerned by the hateful opinion of others. When it came to David's Father, his God in heaven, he danced with abandon in celebration of His presence. David's response to Michal was this: It was before the Lord, who chose me...to appoint me ruler over the people of the Lord, over Israel. Therefore I will play music before the Lord. And I will be even more undignified than this, and will be humble in my own sight. Effectively: I will always zealously celebrate my God, increasing in fervency each time I do; I will humble myself to exalt Him.
Pure gratitude and awe for everything God had done for David fueled David's unapologetic, energetic, expressive love for God.
13:9-12 But the ark's arrival was not without issue. In the process of its placement, a man named Uzza puts his hand out to hold the ark and angers God. Clearly, something is lost in translation. God is not unreasonable or ill-tempered. What we can glean from this is that Uzza disrespected God's word in some way. Perhaps he had an intent to idolize the ark, to turn it into an object for idol worship (touchy subject with God, idol worship contributed to the corruption and death of many people).
David became more cautious in the handling of the ark.
13:13-14 Instead of rushing the ark into the king's house, it is decided that the ark will be placed in a man named Obed-Edom's home. And there the ark remained for three months. God blessed the house of Obed-Edom and all of his possessions for hosting the ark.
