Place: Lurgan Baptist 29:1:2003

Reading: 2 Samuel 6:1-23 1 Chronicles 13:1-14

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF DAVID

10. WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS, READ THE INSTRUCTIONS

I wonder how many of you have ever found yourselves sitting in the early hours of Christmas morning with games, toys, doll’s house’s …. things that have to be put together for children eagerly awaiting them ? Do you recall that ski electric set that you had to put up ? What about Barbie’s house ? The dukes of Hazard ? Barbies bus ? Do you remember how many times you took the toys out of their packages and you said, “ this is to easy.” “ Besides no doll’s house is going to get the better of me.” But after an hour something seemed wrong about your finished product. Maybe all the moving parts moved but in the wrong direction or else you discovered to your horror that you had extra parts, broken parts and useless parts. Why ? Because you failed to follow the instructions. So at that point you thought it might be a good idea to read the instructions for assembly.

Soon the product was looking well and again you realised the truth of the saying, “ When all else fails read the instructions.” Even David encountered problems because he did not read the instructions, and as a result he was robbed of his joy, he lost a good man and he was forced to set aside his personal plans for three months. Yet the problems that he faced made him examine the instructions very carefully. You see, David decided to bring the “ Ark of the Covenant,” to Jerusalem, he was eager to make Jerusalem the religious as well as, the political centre of national life. His motive was good, but his method was wrong. He was right in his intentions but wrong in his implementations. He had to learn that God’s work must be done by God’s people in God’s way. Now as we watch David bringing up the “ Ark of the Covenant,” to Jerusalem we notice:

(1) DAVID’S MOTIVE WAS PURE

The setting is Jerusalem, David is King. In fact, he’s a new king. Saul is dead, but the results of his life still echo through the land. For in his latter years Saul compromised and neglected the things of God. But here is David and his first thought after being established as King is the restoration of the ark. Now what was the

ark ? Well in the:

(a) Days of the Theocracy God Describes the Ark:

The Ark was the sacred chest which stood in the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle. It was 3 feet 9 inches long, 2 feet 3 inches wide and 2 feet 3 inches high making it about the size of a small cedar chest. ( Exod 25:10 ) Its pure gold lid, the mercy seat was overshadowed by two cherubim’s. ( Exod 25:20 ) Inside the ark were three items, two tables of stone on which the law was written, a jar of manna and Aaron’s rod that budded. ( Heb 9:4 ) The Ark was placed in the Holy of Holies and once a year the High Priest went into the Holy of Holies and sprinkled the atonement blood upon the mercy seat. That which made the Ark the most important piece of furniture in the Tabernacle was that it represented the presence of God. God said, “ There will I meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, and from between the two cherubim’s.”

( Exod 25:22 ) Here was an available place of meeting with God, an opportunity for constant communion with Him. But if (a) then, in the:

(b) Days of the Anarchy Man Despises the Ark:

Do you recall the key text in the Book of Judges ? “ In those days there was no king in Israel every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” ( 21:25 ) It was during this time that the “ Ark,” was taken from Shiloh and the Israelites attempted to make it a “ good luck,” charm against the Philistines. ( 1 Sam 4:3 ) This displeased the Lord who allowed the Israelites to suffer defeat and the “ Ark,” to be captured. ( 1 Sam 4:10 ) The Philistines set the “ Ark,” in their pagan temple at Ashdod. ( 5:1 ) When God began to afflict the people with the plague, they sent the “ Ark,” to various Philistine cities and after seven months of disease the Philistines had enough. ( 6:1 ) As quickly as possible they built “ a new cart,” ( 6:7 ) to which they yoked two cows. Then the “ Ark,” was placed upon this new cart and the cows brought the precious cargo to Bethshemish. ( 6:12 ) The men of that town looked into the ark and over fifty thousand lost their lives. ( 6:19 )

The “ Ark,” then was sent to Kirjathjearim and placed in the house of Abinadab ( 7:1 ) where it lay neglected and forgotten for over fifty years, indeed during the days of Saul “ they enquired not at it.” ( 1 Chron 13:3 ) a b

(c) Days of the Monarchy David Desires the Ark:

My …. do you see the desire David possessed ? What a passion he had for God ! He says in one of his psalms,

“ Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed, I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids, until I find out a place for the Lord, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.” ( Ps 132:3-8 ) Do you have this passion for

God ? Do you long to know God through His Word ? Do you long to meet with God in public and private ? To desire His presence above all else ? (1)

(2) DAVID’S METHOD WAS WRONG

His desire to bring the “ Ark,” to Jerusalem was great, but he should have made sure that he was doing it in a way that pleased God. His desire was good, his motive was pure, but his method was wrong. He failed to read the instructions. Notice that David disregarded:

(a) THE WILL OF GOD:

Its interesting that in ( Ch 5 ) we read twice that “ David enquired of the Lord.” ( 5:23 ) When the Philistines came up against him, he sought God for guidance and direction …. but not here. Here there is a significant omission, David did not acknowledge the Lord and the result was disaster ! Are you guilty of that ? Ignoring the Lord’s mind ? Or do you “ acknowledge the Lord in all your ways ?” ( Prov 3:6 ) (a)

(b) THE WORD OF GOD:

You see the Word of God was very plain as to how the

“ Ark,” was to be moved. It was to be carried by the Levites …. particularly the Kohathites ( Num 4:15 ) who were the descendants of one of the three sons of Levi. ( Num 3:17 ) The “ Ark,” was to be covered,

( Num 4:4 ) and borne on their shoulders, by two poles inserted through four rings, one on each corner of the

“ Ark.” ( Num 7:9 18:3 Deut 10:8 ) And the “ Ark,” was not to be touched. ( Num 4:15 ) Nothing was said about placing the “ Ark,” on a new cart, that was man’s way, on the shoulders of the Levites, that was God’s way. Do you see what David had to learn ? That God’s work must be done by God’s people in God’s way ! He had to learn the lesson that the Word of God must guide the work of God. My …. its not sufficient to have a worthy cause and a proper spirit. God’s work must be done in God’s way, that is according to God’s Word. Today we often hear the cliché, “ we’ll surely the end justifies the means.” So in order to increase the crowd in the pew and the cash in the purse, many churches will do anything. My …. there are gimmicks galore. Churches that feature weight lifters, sword specialists, daffodil teas, sponsored this or that, anything to bring in the crowds or cash. My …. anything we introduce into our worship, work, or witness for which we have no,

“ thus saith the Lord,” ( Col 2:23 ) must be abandoned by us.

(3) DAVID’S MISTAKE WAS COSTLY

For in setting the “ Ark,” of the Lord on a new cart:

(a) David IMITATED a RELIGIOUS World:

We read in ( 1 Chron 13: ) that “ David consulted with the Captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader.” David conferred with his men, instead of God. And what was the policy suggested by the

leaders ? Why to imitate the ways of the religious world around them ? Where did they get this “ new cart,” idea from ? The Philistines ! ( 1 Sam 6:7 ) David borrowed the idea from the Philistines, just as the church has borrowed “ new cart,” ideas from the world. I heard about a pastor in Florida who said, “ They listen this music all week long, and I’m going to give to them on Sunday what they are listening to during the week.” My …. think of all the “ new cart,” methods that have crept into the church over the last thirty to forty years ! Instead of asking, “ How does God do it ?” We ask, “ how does the world do it ?” We are religious copycats, we have called Hollywood to our aid as though the gospel were a form of entertainment. Our worship is streamlined, our preaching slanted to tickle the ears of a generation that cannot endure sound doctrine. New ways to raise money, to increase attendance, to interest the youth, new styles in worship and music.

My …. we never had so many new carts running all over the place, but never has the “ Ark,” wobbled as it does today ! For when modern methods supersede spiritual authority, confusion is the result ! (a)

(b) David INITIATED a GRIEVOUS Wrong:

Look at ( 6:6 ) The Hebrew word for “ shook,” means to “ let loose or drop.” The “ Ark,” was in danger of dropping to the ground and being damaged. In an expected reaction Uzzah reached out to stabilise the
“ Ark,” and when he did so “ the anger of the Lord was kindled,” ( 6:7 ) God’s holiness had been violated and judgement was swift. Indeed “ God smote him there for his error.” ( 6:7 ) Do you see that word “ error, ? It occurs only once in the entire Old Testament, it means

“ for his hastiness.” In his hastiness Uzzah forgot to reverence God. He had no regard for the “ sanctity of the ark.” Now do you recall who he was ? He was the son of Abinadab and the “ Ark,” had been in his home for 20 years ( 1 Sam 7:1 ) It was a familiar piece of furniture and it had become to Uzzah just a box. My …. is it not so easy to become familiar with holy things ?

Think of:

1. The Irreverence in the Fellowship of the Church:

I heard about an Irishman who went to America and lived there for a year before his wife came out to join him. When she arrived she remarked, “ Don’t these people talk funny.” He replied, “ if you think they talk funny now, you should have heard them when I came out over a year ago.” Do we not become accustomed to holy things ? A.W. Pink says, “ We scarcely recognise Him, He seems to have lost His identity.” Have we lost our reverence for God in this place ? Have we forgotten the Word which says, “ God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints and to be had in reverence of all them that are round about Him.” ( Ps 89:7 ) 1.

2. The Irreverence in the Leadership of the Church:

For we who are in leadership can be so accustomed to being leaders, preachers that we place unholy hands on sacred things. My …. we hear a lot today about relevance, but we had better do something about reverence. Judgement fell, Uzzah was slain and for three months David had to set aside his personal plans during which time:

(4) DAVID’S MANUAL WAS READ

You see, when all else fails read the instructions. During those three months David read his Bible for he comes to this conclusion, “ None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites for them hath the Lord chosen to carry the ark of God.” ( 1 Chron 15:2 ) How did he find out that ? He must have been reading the Law of Moses

( Num 4:15 ) and when he read the instructions do you know what he discovered ? He discovered that God is:

(a) CONCERNED ABOUT PROPER METHODS:

He began by recognising that the “ Ark,” should be carried only by Levites, he discovered that God’s work must be done in God’s way. ( 1 Chron 15:13 ) That God is concerned about our methods as well as our motives !

My …. what about our methods ? The means we employ ! Are these appointed by God ? Are we using scriptural methods to reach the lost, to worship the Lord,

to maintain the work, to extend the kingdom ? (a)

(b) CONCERNED ABOUT PURE LIVES:

For he told the priests “ sanctify yourselves …. that ye may bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel.”

( 1 Chron 15:12 ) You see, not only are the right men to do the work, but they are to be righteous men.

( Is 52:11 ) God’s work must be done in God’s way. But don’t stop there. God’s work must be done by God’s people in God’s way ! So often when we think of the work of God we think of ability, but do we ever think of purity ? Have you set yourself apart for the service of God ? You know, when David finally brought the

“ Ark,” back to Jerusalem it was a time of great rejoicing. It always is. When God’s work is done by God’s people in God’s way, its revival. But Michal David’s wife did not rejoice. She was Saul’s daughter and had bad blood in her veins. She despised the King and met him with scorn. You see, (1) (2) (3) (4) now,

(5) DAVID’S MARRIAGE WAS SOUR

Have you ever been really excited about something, only to come home and have cold water dumped on your enthusiasm ? David wanted to get home that day ?

Why ? Well, look at ( 6:20 )

(a) “ THEN DAVID,” THAT WAS SPIRITUAL:

He went home to earnestly pray God’s blessing on his life and family. Do you know what we might have

done ? We might have said, “ I’ve had a busy day, I think I’ll omit family worship tonight.” But not David.

“ David returned to bless his household,” is that not where many of us fail ? A success in the pulpit, a failure at home. We bring home the bread, but seldom give the bread of life. We’re good at praying with others, but how long has it been since you’ve prayed with your children ? ( Prov 22:6 Eph 6:4 ) “ Then David,” (a)

(b) “ AND MICHAL,” THAT WAS CARNAL:

“ She despised him in her heart,” It means, “ to accord little worth to something.” Michal saw little value in praising the Lord. Can you see David ? The hallelujahs of the people are ringing in his ears, the joy of the Lord is bubbling up in his heart, there’s a hallelujah spring in his step. But when he walks through the door of his home he’s met by an unspiritual wife who reviles him for his humility. ( 6:20 ) Will you remember this ? Just as sure as the Lord is around to bless you the devil will be around to blast you ! Far better single than to have a sour marriage ! (a) (b)

(c) “ NO CHILD,” THAT WAS PROVIDENTIAL:

Do you think you can speak evil of the Lord’s servants and get off with it ? The Michals among us never win souls to Christ. They never have any spiritual children.

All they can do is complain and find something to belly ache about !

What a day this was when the “ Ark,” was brought to Jerusalem and David discovered “ When all else fails read the instructions.” God’s work must be done by God’s people in God’s way. Are you one of God’s people ? Are you doing God’s work ? Are you doing God’s work, God’s way ? For when God’s people do God’s work, God’s way, that will revival and David will get the “ Ark,” back to Jerusalem.