2 Samuel

2 Samuel 6: The LORD is holy

Begin in prayer

Before we read about the ark coming to Jerusalem, let us come before the LORD together. Ask Him to show us that He is holy, and to help us honour Him in the way He commands.

Great is Yahweh, and greatly to be praised, in the city of our God, in his holy mountain.

Psalm 48:1

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You are holy, and that Jesus has brought sinners near to You. Help us to honour You in all we do. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

David gathers thirty thousand chosen men and goes to bring the ark of God from Baale Judah to Jerusalem. They set the ark on a new cart, and David and all Israel play music before the LORD. When the oxen stumble at the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reaches out to steady the ark, and God strikes him dead. David is angry and afraid, and he leaves the ark at the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite for three months. The LORD blesses Obed-Edom’s household, so David brings the ark into the city with joy.

As you read 2 Samuel 6, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD is holy, so His presence must be honoured in the way He commands.

The ark was the chest of the LORD’s covenant, and He sat enthroned above the cherubim on its lid (verse 2). David wanted it in Jerusalem, and thirty thousand chosen men went with him (verses 1 and 2). The law said the Levites must carry the holy things and must not touch them (Numbers 4 verse 15). David set the ark on a new cart instead (verse 3). When the oxen stumbled, Uzzah took hold of it, and God struck him dead for his error (verses 6 and 7). David was angry and afraid, and he asked how the ark could come to him (verses 8 and 9). Three months later he brought the ark up with joy, after the LORD blessed Obed-Edom’s house (verses 11 and 12). The LORD is holy, and He is honoured only in the way He commands. In Christ God came near to sinners, and by His blood He brings His people near (Ephesians 2 verse 13).

How does 2 Samuel 6 show us that the LORD is holy, so His presence must be honoured in the way He commands?

God’s ark must be carried the way God commands.

God’s law said the Levites must carry the holy things, and they must not touch them (Numbers 4 verse 15). David and the people set the ark on a new cart, and the oxen stumbled (verses 3 and 6). Only the way God commands honours His presence.

God is holy, and Jesus brings sinners near by His blood.

Uzzah takes hold of the ark, and God’s anger burns against him (verses 6 and 7). David is afraid of the LORD that day (verse 9). God is holy, and the people learn that He must not be treated carelessly. Jesus came near to sinners, and by His blood He brings His people near to God (Ephesians 2 verse 13).

David honours the LORD with joy when the ark comes home.

David dances before the LORD with all his might, and he offers burnt offerings and peace offerings (verses 14 and 17). He blesses the people in the name of the LORD of Armies (verse 18). Joy in God’s presence is the right response to His holiness.

Memorise

David was afraid of Yahweh that day; and he said, “How could Yahweh’s ark come to me?”

2 Samuel 6:9

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, how do I come near to a holy God, and who brings me near?

Uzzah reached out to steady the ark, and God struck him down. God is holy, and sinners cannot come near Him in their own way. Jesus is God with us, and He came near to sinners.

On the cross Jesus shed His blood for His people and paid the debt of their sin in full. By that blood He brings them near to God. He was buried, and then God raised Him to life.

So come to Him, and honour Him as holy. Turn from your sin and trust Jesus. He will not turn away anyone who comes, and they receive forgiveness.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God is holy, and that His people must honour Him as He commands. Parents, you may want to explain why the Levites carried the ark (Numbers 4 verse 15). Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He is holy and near to His people in Christ, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Blessed are the people who learn to acclaim you. They walk in the light of your presence, Yahweh.

Psalm 89:15

Lord God, thank You that You are holy, and that You brought Jesus near to sinners through His death. Please turn each heart here from sin to trust Jesus. Help us to honour You in the way You command this week, and bring our heart question to You. Amen.