2 Samuel 6

The Explanation

David has become king, and now he wants something important. He wants the ark of God to come to Jerusalem, his city. The ark was a golden chest. Inside were the stone tablets with the Ten Commandments. Above the ark, God was present in a special way. Wherever the ark went, God's presence went along.

For years the ark had been standing in the house of a man named Abinadab. David gathers thirty thousand men and goes to pick it up. They put the ark on a brand new cart, and two brothers, Uzzah and Ahio, walk along with it. There is music everywhere. Harps, tambourines, cymbals. It looks like a huge party.

Then something terrible happens. The oxen stumble. The ark wobbles. Uzzah reaches out his hand to steady it, and at that moment he falls dead. Just like that. The Bible says God's anger burned against Uzzah.

David is shocked. And angry. And afraid. He does not dare take the ark any further. He leaves it at the house of a man named Obed-Edom. There the ark stays for three months, and something strange happens: God blesses that whole house.

When David hears this, he tries again. But this time differently. Now the ark is carried, the way God had said it should be done. After only six steps, David already offers a sacrifice. And he dances. He dances with all his might, in a simple linen garment, without his royal robe. The whole nation shouts and cheers.

But his wife Michal watches from her window and thinks it is disgraceful. Later she says so to David. David answers: I was dancing for the Lord. And I will become even smaller than this.

What Does This Mean?

Why did Uzzah have to die? He only wanted to help, didn't he? This is one of those places in the Bible where you feel: this is difficult. God had said long before that no one was allowed to touch the ark, and that it had to be carried on poles, not on a cart. David and his men had forgotten this, or ignored it. They meant well, but they treated God's holy ark as if it were an ordinary crate.

The story teaches us that God is not a friendly grandfather you can do anything with. God is holy. That means: He is completely different, completely pure, completely great. You can love Him, but you cannot handle Him carelessly.

At the same time you see something else. In the house of Obed-Edom, God blesses. The same ark that meant death for Uzzah brings blessing there. God is not out to punish people. He wants to live among them. But then in the right way.

The Common Thread

The ark points ahead to Jesus. The ark was the place where God lived among His people. Later Jesus came, and John writes about Him: He came to live among us. Through Jesus you can come to God without dying. Jesus took the danger of God's holiness upon Himself. That is why we may now come to God without a golden chest, without special poles, without fear.

David dancing before the ark is a picture of what happens when God comes close. Joy that you cannot hold inside. And Michal, who thinks it is embarrassing, is a picture of people who look on coldly from the outside and do not understand.

For You

Sometimes we treat God a little like David treated the ark on that cart. Careless. As if He is just there for us. God is your Father through Jesus, but He is also holy. You may pray with respect, listen when the Bible is read, be quiet sometimes.

And David's dance? Have you ever dared to be really glad about God, even when others thought it was strange? At school, at the sports club, with friends? David says: I would rather be small before God than look important to people. That is a brave choice. Michal watched from her window and stayed alone. David danced and was closer to God than ever.

Talk About It

Uzzah only wanted to help, and yet he died. What do you think when you read this? What questions does it raise for you?

David danced without caring what people thought. Where do you find it hard to be openly happy about God?

Praying Together

Lord, You are great and holy, and yet You want to be close to us. Thank You for Jesus, through whom we may come to You. Teach us to know You truly, and give us the courage to be glad about You, even when others do not understand. Amen.