In Today's Email:
I Chronicles 13 Notes
In this chapter David first attempts to move the Ark to Jerusalem.
vs. 1-4 – We see here that the desire to move the Ark was not just David’s but rather a national movement. No doubt that zeal sparked from David, but the entire nation was moved by his desire.
vs. 5-14 – This parallels to II Samuel 6:1-11. The first attempt, zealous as it was, proved a disaster. Joy was abundant but not the respect for the Holiness of God. Uzza is slain by God for his impropriety in touching the Ark. The joy of the hour is turned to fear, and the Ark is left in the care of Obededom.
I Chronicles 14 Notes
In this chapter David is solidified as king in Jerusalem.
vs. 1-7 – This parallels to II Samuel 5:13-16 and I Chronicles 3:5-9. In the Chronicles Account, the interlude between attempts to move the Ark is filled with the further establishment of David as king. He makes Jerusalem his home, a palace is constructed, and his family grows.
vs. 8-17 – This parallels to II Samuel 5:17-25 and 23:13-17. The Philistines make two incursions in attempt to weaken or defeat David. Both end in their failure when God moved on David’s behalf.
I Chronicles 15 Notes
In this chapter David successfully moves the Ark to Jerusalem on the second attempt.
vs. 1-24 - Much more detail is given in the Chronicles account to the preparation to move the Ark the second time. An assembly of the Levites is called, and they consecrate themselves to the work. The method of moving the Ark is correct. Singers are organized to fill the Ark’s journey with music.
vs. 25-29 – This parallels to II Samuel 6:12-23. The is brought to Jerusalem with sacrifices, singing, and great joy. The only stain on this bright day is the attitude of Michal.
Closing Thoughts
One thing you can say about David is that he did make mistakes but he always learned from them. The first attempt to move the Ark was a failure largely because they failed to follow God’s direction for moving it. The second attempt made the move a religious activity and the Ark was moved properly. I don’t know about you, but I have had the same experience many times where I fail at first but then find success when I follow God’s direction. How much easier would our lives be if we started there first?
Hymn for Today
Our hymn today is “For Thee, O God, our constant praise” is from Tate and Brady’s 1754 Psalter. It is based on Psalm 65, which some believe was written when the Ark was moved to Jerusalem.
1 For Thee, O God, our constant Praise
In Sion waits, thy chosen Seat;
Our promis'd Altars there we'll raise,
And all our zealous Vows complete.
2 O Thou, who to my humble Pray'r
Didst always bend thy list'ning Ear,
To Thee shall all Mankind repair,
And at thy gracious Throne appear.
3 Our Sins (tho' numberless) in vain
To stop thy flowing Mercy try;
Whilst Thou o'erlook'st the guilty Stain,
And washest out the crimson dye.
4 Blest is the Man, who, near Thee plac'd,
Within thy sacred Dwelling lives!
Whilst we, at humble Distance, taste
The vast Delights thy Temple gives.
5 By wond'rous Acts, O God most Just,
Have we thy gracious Answer found:
In Thee remotest Nations trust,
And those whom stormy Waves surround.
6,7 God, by His Strength, sets fast the Hills,
And does His matchless Pow'r engage;
With which the Sea's loud Waves He stills,
And angry Crouds tumultuous Rage.
Part II
8 Thou Lord, dost barb'rous Lands dismay,
When they thy dreadful Tokens view:
With Joy they see the Night and Day
Each others Track, by Turns, pursue.
9 From out thy unexhausted Store
Thy Rain relieves the thirsty Ground;
Makes Lands, that barren were before,
With Corn and useful Fruits abound.
10 On rising Ridges down it pours,
And ev'ry furrow'd Valley fills:
Thou mak'st them soft with gentle show'rs,
In which a blest Increase distils.
11 Thy Goodness does the circling year
With fresh Returns of Plenty crown;
And where thy glorious Paths appear,
Thy fruitful Clouds drop Fatness down.
12 They drop on barren Forests, chang'd
By them to Pastures fresh and green:
The Hills about in Order rang'd,
In beauteous Robes of Joy are seen.
13 Large Flocks with fleecy Wool adorn
The chearful Downs; the Vallies bring
A plenteous Crop of full-ear'd Corn,
And seem, for Joy, to shout and sing.